Mother knows best.
At least, for Monique Bramwell. Her mother instilled the value of education to her at a young age, and that led her to start a career in teaching and find her love of technology.
To pursue a career that incorporates her teaching experience and passion for technology, Bramwell needed to further her education.
“The program itself exposed me to careers that I was otherwise blind to and helped me become aware of what I need to do next… I intend to use this degree, combined with my teaching experience, to explore the field of corporate training in the area of IT/cybersecurity.”
We spoke with the Class of 2019 grad about her why she chose Florida Tech, her favorite course and more.
Q. Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Jamaica, which, despite some struggles, had a very competitive workforce. With that in mind, my mother instilled in me the importance of education and the drive to always keep going. As I grew older, I decided that I wanted to study interior design at a local university, but we could not afford the tuition. My mother never told me to pay my own way, as she wanted to give me my first degree. She sat me down and showed me a career that was inexpensive and would still open doors for me. With that, I was off to become a teacher. Listening to my mother has paid off, as I was able to discover my love for technology and move on to teaching outside of Jamaica.
Q. What were the most important factors in your decision to choose Florida Tech?
I chose to enroll in Florida Tech for two reasons:
- Florida Tech became more believable and trustworthy to me as I was able to verify their existence through an after-school club in Grand Cayman.
- The professionalism and transparency of the individual that managed my enrollment made Florida Tech more appealing than the other institutions I was considering.
Q. Do you have any future plans with your degree?
Going back to school is one thing that I’m currently considering. It will definitely be something to boost my degrees and competency in corporate training.
Q. What surprised you most about taking an online program?
The amount of commitment required to stick it out. There were many times I felt like stopping, but I’m glad I pushed through.
Q. What was your favorite class and why?
I had a few great courses, but my personal favorite was Organizational Behavior. It was my most intense and demanding course, but I enjoyed every minute of it because the concepts explored were so relatable to my experiences and allowed me to professionally wade through my work environment. In addition, the professor was highly competent and supportive, and the assignments provided a new area for me to explore.
Q. What was your most valuable takeaway from the program?
Having the opportunity to share experiences with others enrolled really does have an effect on you. It adds to the growth and maturity of your perceptions. That growth was paramount for me. Also, the program itself exposed me to careers that I was otherwise blind to and helped me become aware of what I need to do next.
Q. What advice would you give other students who are considering enrolling in the program?
Buy the course materials – you’ll need them. Also, the program is very rich with competent professors, so rest assured that you’ll see the value added whether you’re an IT veteran or newcomer.
Q. Who has been your support system?
My mother. I’m sure she had as many sleepless nights as I did as she became my proofreader, dictionary, advisor on countless occasions, and an immense source of motivation.
Q. What was the most challenging part of your student journey?
My greatest issue was financing, but Florida Tech provided a nice payment plan and worked with me, ensuring that we were both comfortable.
Q. What is one fun fact about you?
I once jumped out of a Ferris wheel when I was much younger due to my fear of heights. Young me was so calculating – I remember counting the rotations and timing when my seat would get close to the ground so that I could jump at the perfect moment. Lucky for me it was a kiddie-sized Ferris wheel, so I got away with a bruise on my forehead and no stitches. The doctor did, however, have to shave the hair away from the bruise, so I sported a bald spot for a while.
Have you completed one of Florida Tech’s online programs? We would love to share your success story in our Student Spotlight series. Contact us at studentspotlight@bisk.com for additional details.
