In this episode of The Student Storyline, we sit down with Dr. Jessica Horne, a Savannah Technical College alum whose journey proves that you do not need to have your entire life mapped out to take the first step. Before enrolling at Savannah Tech in 2011, Jessica was working, helping with her mother's daycare, and trying to figure out what direction she wanted to take. She initially considered criminal justice before switching to Business Administrative Technology, looking for a broader foundation that could grow with her as she discovered where she truly belonged. Jessica shares the personal losses, setbacks, and pivotal moments that shaped her journey—including learning to keep going through grief, retaking college algebra, and discovering the power of asking for help. Along the way, she developed the habits that still guide her today: showing up early, staying organized, making checklists, and refusing to quit. Her Savannah Tech experience became the foundation for an educational journey that continued with a bachelor's degree, MBA, and ultimately a Doctor of Business Administration. But perhaps her biggest discovery came through working with students and communities in higher education, where she realized her true passion was helping others learn and find their own path. Today, Dr. Horne is an instructor at Southeastern Technical College, balancing her career with motherhood, family, and community impact. She also shares the story behind creating a campus food pantry designed to support students, faculty, and staff with no judgment and no questions asked. Her advice for anyone still figuring things out? Don't rush the journey. It's okay to change your major, change direction, and take a different path than the one you originally imagined. Keep going, stay patient, and make sure the future you're building is one you actually want. Start Your Next Chapter Are you ready to launch a new career or take your current skills to the next level? Your success story starts in Savannah Tech's classrooms and labs. Apply to Savannah Tech today: savannahtech.edu/apply Share Your Storyline Are you a Savannah Tech alum who has navigated a major pivot, overcome an obstacle, or launched an incredible career? We want to feature your journey! Pitch your story to be a guest: savannahtech.edu/student-storyline-podcast Connect with Savannah Technical College: Facebook: facebook.com/SavannahTech Instagram: instagram.com/savannahtech LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/savannahtech Website: savannahtech.edu Episode-Specific Links: Featured Program: Business Administrative Technology Key Moments in This Episode: Jessica's decision to enroll at Savannah Tech without having her entire career path figured out Why she switched from criminal justice to Business Administrative Technology How personal loss shaped her drive to keep moving forward The mentors at Savannah Tech who made a lasting impact on her journey Why checklists, organization, and timeliness became lifelong habits The setback that forced her to rethink how she approached college algebra How working with students helped her discover her passion for higher education Her path from Savannah Tech to earning a bachelor's degree, MBA, and Doctor of Business Administration Balancing her career as an instructor with motherhood and family Creating a campus food pantry to help students and the community Her advice for students: don't rush, don't quit, and don't be afraid to change direction PODCAST PRODUCTION BY: DEE DANIELS MEDIA FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Welcome to The Student Storyline 01:15 – Meet Dr. Jessica Horne 02:20 – Not knowing what career path to take after high school 04:00 – Choosing Savannah Tech and switching to Business Administrative Technology 06:00 – Learning to take life and career decisions one step at a time 08:15 – Loss, grief, and the drive to keep moving forward 12:00 – How becoming a mother helped Jessica discover her passion for teaching 15:00 – The influence of her mother and learning never to give up 18:00 – From Savannah Tech to a career in higher education 21:00 – The professors and mentors who made a lasting impact 24:00 – The power of checklists, organization, and showing up on time 27:00 – College algebra, setbacks, and learning to ask for help 30:00 – Discovering her purpose through working with students 34:00 – Financial aid, the Pell Grant, and advice about student loans 37:00 – Life today as an instructor, mother, and wife 40:00 – Creating a campus food pantry to support students and the community 44:00 – Jessica's advice: Don't rush the journey and never give up 47:00 – Final thoughts and closing
