Reporters at the Valencia Voice recently talked with students about their top concerns this fall. Students revealed mental health challenges, financial insecurity, and fears of failure in their future careers all contributing to increased stress.
For many business students like Maria Lucia de la Oz, 19, success is related to personal fulfillment. “Not having a job that I truly enjoy means not being successful,” De la Oz said. “I don’t want to work somewhere just because it’s my only option.” This point of view reflects an issue among students, who are worried about finding employment and ensuring their work aligns with their passions and career goals.
International students at Valencia College face unique challenges in studies and career planning. The college reports that 1,227 international students from more than 104 countries are enrolled this semester. Loic Legarde, 22, a Business major from France, highlighted the pressures tied to his immigration status, saying, “Finding where to study for my bachelor’s degree and securing a job is stressful, because I’m an international student and my visa determines how long I can stay here.”
Valencia College offers students a variety of resources to support their success both during their studies and after graduation. Maria Franco, 20, an assistant at the Career Center at Valencia, highlights the services provided by the career center: “The Career Center offers career exploration and job search preparation to help students succeed in finding employment. It also assists with interview preparation, resume creation, and job searches”. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Florida’s unemployment rate as of July 2024 stood at a stable 3.3%.
Students can visit the Career Center in person on each campus or access its resources through the Valencia College website. Additionally, Franco mentioned that “for international students, Valencia offers many opportunities to be successful in the international students department.”
Beyond career aspirations, physical and mental health are also significant concerns for the Valencia College community. The American College Health Association’s 2023 report, which surveyed over 2.5 million students from more than 1,000 institutions, found that 36% of students reported feeling so depressed it was difficult to function, and 63% experienced overwhelming anxiety.
Library Assistant Hoda Mohamed, 28, highlighted these concerns, saying, “I don’t want to get old and just live a life I don’t want.” She added, “My biggest goal is to maintain my mental health to achieve my goals.” The statement highlights the growing importance of mental well-being within the community as students and staff strive for a balanced, fulfilling life.
Additionally, the students talk about their desires to create meaningful memories and relationships. Javier Desprade, 24, a tech support specialist at Valencia College, shared, “My biggest worry in life is not regretting the things I didn’t do. I want to create memories around things that interest me, so I don’t have any regrets when I’m older.”
Valencia Counselors have put together many relevant and timely Skillshops – in person and online – each month to help improve students’ lives. Check the calendar on their website for more details on Skillshops.
