Our FastForward Career Coaches come from all walks of life. Some were career switchers, who always had a passion for helping people but never found the right opportunity to do so. Others were lifelong educators bound to be leaders, mentors and coaches for their students and…
Having knowledge and experience is one thing, but it doesn’t do much good without the opportunity to use it. For Jason, a heavy equipment operator at S.W. Rodgers, opportunity was the deciding factor when it came to enrolling in the FastForward program at Lord Fairfax Community…
From behind her desk at a clinical family practice, Ashley would greet and check-in patients with a smile, but there was something inside her that wanted more. Ashley was good at what she did, but she had a drive and an interest in healthcare that caught…
Clock in, clock out. Repeat. Day in and day out. And if you don’t love what you do, that cycle can wear on you. Whether you’re looking to find a job, start over in a new career or move up the ladder in your current position,…
For some of us, when we see an opportunity to help someone in need, we jump right in and give it everything we have. Adrianna Culbertson, the FastForward Career Coach at Southwest Virginia Community College, is one of those people. Culbertson came to SWVCC as a…
Some people were born to help others. Whether it’s through military enlistment, volunteerism or working in the service industry, some of us were made to lend a hand. For David, he’s made a career out of serving, first his country in the U.S. Navy, and soon,…
There are many different hardships that prevent a person from working. In 2009, Heather lost her job due to health issues. As her health improved, but her 401K and savings declined, she needed to find a way to re-enter the workforce. To boost her career chances…
Jacob wasn’t going to let his age hold him back from pursuing his goals. Just before graduating high school, Jacob’s guidance counselor told him about the FastForward program at Blue Ridge Community College. With his interest piqued, he enrolled and completed a welding course, which led…
Have you ever thought about the people who work tirelessly to turn the power back on when a storm knocks it out? FastForward’s power line worker training program at Southside Virginia Community College trains students for a career doing just that – teaching them what it…
Mercedes has always had an interest in medicine and in helping people. She received her first medical training when she was still in high school, and her interest in the field only grew after she faced a medical condition herself. She recalls that her interactions with…