The FSDB Career Development Department selects a Student Employee of the Month each month. Students in the after-school campus work program will be chosen based on their excellent work ethic in their respective paid positions on campus after school.
For January, we are recognizing Daniel Fonseca, a junior in the Deaf Department who works as a Food Service Worker. Here is what his supervisor, Jessica Littlefield, had to say about Daniel:
I would like to nominate Daniel from Memorial food service. He is a great help to our evening crew. He is kind, responsible, helpful and considerate...Daniel is goal driven and has great aspirations and he shows great work ethic now and will definitely succeed in life with these wonderful traits.
Employee Spotlight Interview with Daniel
Why did you want to work for Food Services?
Well, I wanted to find a job to get job experience and luckily, food services was open, so I took it in a heartbeat, and I really enjoy working there. I got many inspirations and ideas from my coworkers and I’m glad I chose food services because I can also socialize with other people.
How do you balance your career and education?
My father has always taught me the importance of balancing my activities when I was growing up. Because of this, I’m able to have good time management and become more disciplined with my schedule by not forgetting what to do when throughout the day.
What advice do you have for students who want to work on campus?
The one thing to keep in mind is that you should always know who you are, what your goals are, and your skills and talents so that you can have a better understanding of where you want to work. This also applies to some people who are planning to go to college, and it’s a good thing to help others find a second passion in life when they graduate.
What do you like most about your job?
The number of social interactions and joy I have with my co-workers is the best thing that keeps me from being bored. We would always talk about different things or experiences and opinions. Thank you to Desiree, Liz, Jamie, Shelly, and Robert, that have shown me motivation and the will to see things through in other areas of my life. I really appreciate the support.
What are your plans after FSDB?
It is still undecided for me, but I’ve been thinking a lot about many different things I want to do. I’ve been thinking about going to FCTC or UNF in the near future. I’ve always wanted to start a business with some of my best friends, that I’ve had for many years since elementary.
If you could choose one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chicken Alfredo!
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My great grandparents. I’ve heard so many great things about them from my parents and how they have made my family wiser with situations in life. They were almost like the backbone of my family’s way of thinking clearer and become more embraced with hard situations in life. I would love to meet them and see what they could teach me.
If you could choose a superpower, what would you choose and why?
I would love to be able to control any type of software, computer, phone, car, and anything that is electrical. I could basically do anything I want, and it sounds sinister, but the reason why is that I’d like to work on my own with a power like that and become a vigilante for my own town.
About the After School Campus Work Program
The FSDB After School Campus Work Program provides additional Career Development opportunities to FSDB students (16+) through a structured campus work program delivered outside the academic day. Students 16 years of age or older will have the opportunity to apply for vacant positions. Students go through a competitive hiring process. They review job postings that include a detailed job description, essential functions, and qualifications.
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school in historic St. Augustine, available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. The FSDB experience gives students the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. Early intervention and outreach services are also available throughout the state of Florida. Private donations help to support programs that directly benefit students which are not covered by state funds. To inquire about enrollment, contact Parent Services at 904-827-2212 or 904-201-4527 VP. To schedule a campus tour, contact Outreach Services at bit.ly/fsdbtours. For more information, visit fsdbk12.org.