Business Administration student has clear plan for her future

Every once in a while, the stars line up just right and your plans unfold just as you imagined. A few side roads taken and a couple of false starts become minor background noise to the voice in your head that says, “This IS going to happen.”

That voice has always been loud and clear for 22-year-old Kristan Humphrey, who will soon complete her Business Administration program at SJVC’s Temecula campus.

“I was raised on the belief that if you work hard enough, you will get what you want,” says Kristan. “We kind of create our own opportunities in life.”

Throughout high school, Kristan did well academically and scored especially well in her math and science classes. She felt as though those abilities would serve her well in the business world; she just wasn’t sure where to point them.

Kristan spent some time at a couple of other colleges, but couldn’t find the educational training for a career match that made use of her natural talents. A visit to SJVC pulled everything into focus for her.

“The Business Administration program gives you a variety of courses you can get into to test out fields you might like,” says Kristan. “There’s marketing, accounting, business communication, Excel…all skills you need as a professional within your job and for communication in daily life.”

Kristan decided that her career ambition would center around accounting. “I like checking problems with solutions; getting a definite answer,” she says. “I like being able to test myself and the stability of being able to check finances.”

It is a direction her parents Steven and Kara have encouraged. “They always believed that I should go with something to do with numbers because they saw my potential in being able to handle those kinds of problems,” says Kristan.

Kristan knew from the first month of her program that her plan was solid. “A teacher pulled me aside and complimented me on how I was doing in class and how well I was writing professionally. It made me feel I knew what I was doing and that I fit in the SJVC community.”

Kristan is quick to credit others with the success she is experiencing. Her first “thank you” and the source of her inspiration to continue her education is her older sister, Nicole. Nicole juggles work, marriage and Dental Hygiene school so that she can realize her own dreams of success. “She has the same route as me and has to make it all work,” says Kristan, who also works part-time. “It’s a ‘if she can do it, I can do it,’ kind of thing.”

Her dad also gives her a good example to follow. “My dad has worked hard all his life to support us,” says Kristan. “I admire how he has come from where was, to where he is right now.”

One of Kristan’s biggest surprises was the amount of support she has received from her instructors throughout her Business Administration program. “Our teachers are very close to our hearts,” she offers. “Mrs. McClintock, Miss Knight and Mr. O (Oropeza) have helped us very much along the way.”

“Kristan is a model student and also very helpful to her peers,” says Hollie McClintock. “She is a wonderful role model to her peers and always jumps in to help whenever a classmate is struggling.”

Kristan is creating career momentum with every step. The plan: Complete her Business Administration degree program, then work in her new field for a bit before tackling a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She envisions becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) so that one day she might own her own business.

Kristan balances these ambitions with her proven stress-relievers. “I’m crazy about reading in my down time,” she admits. She also hits the gym 4-5 times each week for 60-90 minute workouts. “I do cardio, strength and endurance training. It keeps me happy and stress-free.”

Kristan has a plan and will not spend time on anything that does not support that direction.

“I have the ability to succeed. So, if I have that ability, I don’t want to waste it.”

Watch her fly.