July 11, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of First Gen 101, Jessica Tursi, Director of Disability Services and Navigation at Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, shares how her passion for psychology led her to make impactful changes in her community and how she's paving the way for more inclusive environments. Jessica discusses overcoming challenges, redefining career paths, and the importance of building a supportive community.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jessica Tursi (00:05):
I had to work while I was in school because I
had to make ends meet.
So I had a full-time job and Iremember I became very close to
the girls that I was workingwith.
So in school, same year We had alot in common or so I thought
initially, and I remember veryearly on in our friendship, they
were like, oh, well my family isthe third, fourth generation in
(00:28):
the school.
And I'm gonna go enroll to be ina sorority.
And I remember thinking like,I've never even contemplated
that before.
My greatest accomplishment waswhen, when I got accepted, and I
will say this into college, alittle bit of imposter syndrome.
(00:50):
I was like, are you sure?
Me?
So that was, I think as astudent, my, my moment and then
graduating.
For me it was like a moment of.
Like validation, I think.
Hmm.
Of okay.
I did it like all this paid off.
All the hard work, thesacrifices, the not being able
(01:12):
to go to like, like the partiesbecause I had to study'cause I
had an AP biology test onMonday.
It all paid off.
I this is all worth it.
I think it's really just, and Isaid this before, put yourself
out there.
Be your own PR person.
Uh, nobody knows you better thanyou, and that will, it might
(01:37):
take a little bit before you seethe fruits of that coming to
life, but eventually it will.
you know, always at sevendegrees of separation and I
think you never know who knowssomebody who may give you an
opportunity that you didn't evenknow was possible or existed.
Miguel Sanchez (02:00):
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for joining foranother episode.
Today we have Jessica Tursi.
She is the Director ofDisability Services and
Navigation at GoodwillIndustries of Southwest Florida.
Jessica, welcome.
Jessica Tursi (02:16):
Thank you for having me.
Miguel Sanchez (02:19):
so right now we're in the middle of spring
and it's about 45 degrees herein New York.
What's the weather like inFlorida?
Jessica Tursi (02:27):
Oh.
it's right now in the eighties,
Miguel Sanchez (02:30):
And how long have you been living in Florida?
Jessica Tursi (02:33):
Oh gosh, I am, I've been here now for
Miguel Sanchez (02:38):
How do you ended up at your job?
I.
Jessica Tursi (02:40):
So I actually out of getting my bachelor's degree,
went into our local healthcaresystem.
I thought it would get me a footin the door in the career, in
the field I wanted.
So I thought it would give me agood foundation.
for what I.
Planned on doing next.
So I was with the healthcaresystem for a little bit.
I got to be part of the referralteam.
(03:02):
And I got to be a part of a lotof different experiences.
So any opportunity that I got, II kind of dove in and tried to
have those options available andI finally got into the field
that I wanted, I was able to bea registered behavioral
technician, so I helped kids whomaybe had a little bit more of
behavioral challenges and neededmore one-on-one assistance.
(03:24):
So I was able to do that.
And then from there, that agencythat I worked for was moving out
of the state and I just wasn'tprepared to make, that move.
I heard of the opportunity hereat Goodwill and it was for a
job.
coach within that samepopulation.
So I became a job coach andshortly after doing that, I
heard that they were alsostarting a life skills
(03:46):
development program for adultswith disabilities.
Um, so I jumped at thatopportunity and have been with
that program ever since.
And now I have the privilege of
Miguel Sanchez (03:56):
And how long have you been at this role?
Jessica Tursi (03:59):
so director, I'm going on three years with
Goodwill.
I am going
Miguel Sanchez (04:04):
Oh, terrific.
So let's take it back 13 to 15years and let's start.
Where did you grow up and whatwere your high school years
like?
Jessica Tursi (04:14):
I grew up in New York, New Jersey and we moved
here to Florida'cause my parentshad a job change.
and my high school, I, myparents really pushed because I.
was, Born here.
They wanted the American dream,so they put a lot of pressure.
I was also the oldest sibling,so I had to, set a good example
for my younger sister.
(04:35):
And so they really pushed thatof going to college, and that
kind of wasn't, there was noplan B, it was your going to
college.
and so I really just tried tofind as many opportunities.
I was fortunate enough to beaccepted into, my high school's
inter InternationalBaccalaureate program, which in
essence just means that you gotto have college credits before
(04:58):
you graduated.
And I think that really helpedme because it almost forced you
to to.
have a mentor in the sense ofsomeone guiding you along that
process.
And I.
Just am so grateful for thatopportunity and to have that
support.
'cause My parents were a hundredpercent on board, with whatever
I needed to do.
any extracurriculars, they weredriving me places.
(05:19):
they were, you for tutors,Whatever they could to make it
happen for me.
But they couldn't give mefirsthand experience of what
that process was like.
We'll help you, but we don'tknow what to do.
So I did have a support systemof all of us navigating this
process for the first time.
So I do think
Miguel Sanchez (05:40):
one of the common themes I hear is having
parents who value education andthough.
They may not know necessarilythe path, but they will work to
get those resources.
And so on that pathway, what didyou, how did you envision
yourself?
Were you thinking about, and Ihear this a lot in first
(06:00):
generation students too, goingfor medicine or law, sort of
those glamorous, so to speak,jobs.
What did that look like for you?
What was your career vision?
Jessica Tursi (06:12):
So I I followed that same track.
I wanted to be a pediatrician.
and so my whole high schoolthat's what I did.
And I took AP Biology and I tookall of these classes because I
was dead set on being apediatrician.
I think that also fell into myparents' desire for that,
American dream of, you know,being able to have a child that
goes to be One of those toptier, positions in life of
(06:35):
lawyer or doctor.
I, so started school and I was apre-med, I was a biology major.
And two quarter, like twosemesters in I had to take an
elective and I Went through thelist and one of them was
abnormal psychology and Ithought, Hey, this is different
than what I was taking.
It should be somethinginteresting.
(06:55):
and I took it and I was hooked.
I loved that so much, and Iremember being so stressed out
to call my parents afterfinishing that semester to tell
them, Hey, I think I'm changingmy career path.
I think I'm going intopsychology.
And I remember they had a lot ofquestions like, what does this
look like?
(07:16):
What is the end game like, whatare you doing?
And it was eventually when Iexplained myself and I, and they
saw the passion I had for it.
They were all on board,
Miguel Sanchez (07:26):
And so where were you in school at that
point?
Jessica Tursi (07:29):
So I was going into my sophomore year I was
going to University of SouthFlorida.
Um, and so I, yeah, I switchedmajors my sophomore year and I
became a
Miguel Sanchez (07:42):
Were you able to travel to these schools and
did you apply to more than one?
How did that selection processlook like for you?
Jessica Tursi (07:51):
So I, I did apply to several schools and I will
say my parents did everything totry to get us to be able to go
travel.
to go see the schools.
Think in the moment I reallyunderstood the sacrifices they
were making.
I get it now because I'm now amom and, have a child of my own
that I'm, trying to get him setup for the future.
(08:13):
But yeah I see that now they,were taking out loans.
They were taking out secondjobs.
But I was able to travel.
I was able to go see theschools.
And I will say I was fortunateenough that they really left the
school selection process to me.
very focused and wanted toachieve these goals.
my research I looked up theschools, and when we sat down.
(08:35):
Was a process in itself becauseI was trying to figure out what
does it mean to research aschool?
What does that entail?
Is it just Hey, who, what schoolis the most popular?
Is it the school that most of myhigh school is going to?
Is it the school That hasprograms and so that was a
little bit of a learning curve,
Miguel Sanchez (08:57):
Recently I read a book, and this is the third
episode that I mentioned thisbook.
And the only reason why Imentioned it is it made such a
deep impact in my understandingof what college education looks
like.
And I'm gonna have the title ofthe book in the show notes.
'cause right now I'm looking atthe book, but I can't remember
the title.
And essentially it talks aboutcolleges and there are over
(09:17):
4,000 colleges in the UnitedStates.
Something I did not know.
And in the process, not everycollege is for everyone.
how did you decide that thisschool was the right one for you
Jessica Tursi (09:30):
So in my research, and mind you, this is
my, when I was pre-med track,university of South Florida had
a very intensive researchdepartment.
They had, a very large uh,hospital in Tampa, was right on.
the campus.
So it had a lot of things that Iwas like oh, if I'm already in
the.
School.
These are connections that havealready paved for me.
(09:52):
and I can just really takeadvantage of those
opportunities.
So ultimately that's why ofSouth Florida was my number one
choice was because of thoseconnections.
And I just thought, make thingsharder for myself when I can set
myself up for success and, aschool that was geared to what
Miguel Sanchez (10:10):
in your learning process, at what point
did you realize or I guess whatwas an example when you were in
college and you realized, I amnot like everyone else.
I and what would, what did youfeel or perceive that made you
think or put you in the placethat you're a first gen student
Jessica Tursi (10:30):
So I can think of one very clear example.
I I had to work while I was inschool because, had to make ends
meet.
So I had a full-time job and Iremember I became very close to
the girls that I was workingwith also, in school same year,
range.
We had a lot in common or so Ithought initially and I
remember.
(10:50):
Very early on in our friendship,they were like, oh, well, my
family is The third, fourthgeneration in the school.
and I'm gonna go enroll to be ina sorority.
and I remember thinking like,I've never even contemplated
that before.
Like, that even on my radar.
And they were like, oh yeah, myfamily, you know, generations of
(11:11):
women in my family have been inthe sorority.
Gonna try to pledge for thesorority.
And I remember just thinkinglike that is crazy to me.
You have so many generationsthat went to college and were
part of these.
groups.
And I remember.
hearing their experience of thepledging process and all of
that.
And I couldn't I could not wrapmy head around that thinking of
(11:34):
imagine having so manygenerations of experience and
support and advice you couldlike really hone into.
So that to me was the First likevery glaring okay I'm in a
different the different
Miguel Sanchez (11:49):
Building that social capital through the
fraternities and the sororities,that's a big thing because
that's how you connect and youbuild relationships.
Going on the topic of buildingrelationships, since you changed
trajectory, after taking thisabnormal psychology class,
which.
I'm afraid to take that class'cause I probably will see
(12:11):
myself very abnormal and I'mtrying to avoid that.
So maybe at a separate episodewe can go deeper into that, but
for the moment how did you buildmentors in school?
Or how did you build guidancefrom other people, if any?
Jessica Tursi (12:23):
When I took that abnormal psychology class, I
remember.
going to the professor andsaying I think this class
changed my.
My path.
I think this class is making merealize that I'm in the wrong
field or in the wrong path tothe wrong field.
And she said, that's great.
I'm so happy to hear that.
She's I have another classthat's like the step above this
(12:46):
one.
You should really considertaking it.
And I said, oh, of course.
Once I sign up for classes, I'llsign up for it.
And So I did.
And she, that moment herteaching assistant.
Ended up graduating.
so she offered me, theopportunity and I took it.
She was, in the process ofgetting her credentialing board
certified behavior analyst.
(13:06):
and I had never heard of.
That position, I didn't knowwhat that was.
So yes, I was her for herclasses, but also I was hearing
the things she was saying whenshe was prepping for things and
she was going to do things andshe would ask me like, Hey, do
you want some extra hours.
So in assisting her journey, Imade that turn of, it's not just
(13:26):
psychology in the overarchingfield It was more of that
specific path.
And I fell in love
Miguel Sanchez (13:34):
And so after that, did you start doing
internships?
How did you make the actualtransition?
Because one of the things aboutfirst gen students is to have
this great passion for a careerpath, but making that transition
from college to an actual job.
It's a big challenge.
What did that look like for you?
How were you able to findinternship jobs
Jessica Tursi (13:54):
so once I graduated like I said before, I
went into the healthcare fieldhere locally.
And I was, checking people in,referrals, that kind of thing.
Just getting my veryfoundational.
But I still was on social.
media.
I was looking at differentevents that were happening That
had to do with the field that Iwanted to be in.
And I would go to these events Iwould go on weekends, I would go
(14:15):
at night.
And just even though I wasn't apart of that, field, it was
still something I was interestedin.
And I wanted to know who werethe key players, who what are
the different options.
what what is happening?
So I did make it so that I.
was at least knowledgeableenough where if I did get the
opportunity.
I could stand my own in thatsense.
(14:35):
I will say that I ran and I'msure a lot of other students do,
where entry level, is notnecessarily entry level.
They want someone with a littlebit more experience and I
unfortunately at that time onlyhad the volunteering and the TA
assistance.
I, I made myself um.
continue to learn on, on ownand, you know, make sure up to
date on all the best practicesand things like that, I needed
(14:57):
to package myself.
and make sure that I.
was in the places that
Miguel Sanchez (15:02):
So a couple of things you mentioned and I wanna
highlight'cause I think they'reimportant.
One, that initiative to attendthese events and be involved, So
for those of you are listening,whatever area you're pursuing,
if you're not, if you don't havethat internship or that job
right after school, getting tothose spaces, especially now
with social media, you canfigure out ways to connect with
(15:22):
other people, attend as manysocial events as you can within
that area because you're goingto understand how that world
operates, And as most of youalready know or probably know.
Opportunities come from otherpeople, so you really have to
connect with others.
And then the second thing isthough some jobs are entry level
(15:44):
that do or some of them willrequire experience of some sort
of background.
As you said, be your own PRperson.
I love how you said that becauseyou will have to advocate for
yourself.
You will find people to helpyou, but you have to be ready
for those opportunities and thatcan look differently.
You could be doing volunteerwork, internship, et cetera.
(16:04):
And so talk to us about yourcurrent job, what you're doing.
It's noble work and I do admireAnd when we connected it was I
couldn't wait to get to thisepisode'cause I really wanted to
hear about the amazing work youdo.
So tell us about your role atGoodwill and what is your sort
of day to day.
Jessica Tursi (16:23):
I have the privilege of being the director
of Display Services Navigation.
So oversee all of the disabilityservices that we offer here.
Uh, the to Opportunity Program,which is our life skills program
for adults with disabilities.
It's Autism, down syndrome,cerebral palsy, traumatic brain
injuries.
really get to take someone, Posthigh school and give them.
(16:44):
the life skills.
We give them a safe space tolearn.
They're with people you know,that they connect with and they
can really work with.
And so our main focus is givingthem the life skills in a
classroom safe sp setting.
and then we make a real worldconnection.
So if they're learning moneyskills in the classroom.
then maybe the following,they're going to a bank and
(17:07):
withdrawing or depositing funds,or maybe they're taking a budget
and going to the grocery storeand seeing if they can compare
prices and make sure they'regoing together ultimate goal
that they become as independentin their life as possible.
our folks are, varying levels.
and so that's kind of maingo-to.
we, uh, currently are servingover a hundred a year.
(17:27):
So that's a really exciting,that we have.
And then I also oversee ourdisability navigation program,
which basically helps familiesonce they get a diagnosis of a
disability for their childnavigate.
the space so they get to kindhave somebody to go along with
them.
And know, okay, this is thefirst step, this is what we're
gonna do, and now that we gethere, let's connect all these.
(17:48):
pieces, So that the family isalso as well prepared as
possible.
'Cause that's something else isthat, especially in my world,
it's not just the individualwe're serving, it's that whole
team, That whole family,everyone involved.
So yeah, I, I get the honor ofworking with some amazing people
that teach me
Miguel Sanchez (18:08):
What's something really big that you're
working on or that's coming upahead?
Jessica Tursi (18:13):
Yeah, so we were very fortunate to make some
great connections and partners.
now we actually have a few newprojects in the works.
One of them being in southwestFlorida.
We have a lot of, sportingteams.
And in my program I have a lotof folks who are huge sports
fans.
Problem being, because of theirdisability, they may not always
(18:33):
be able to attend these sportingevents.
Because, sensory needs, it'soverload.
It is just a lot.
So we're working with differentteams here locally to create a
sensory bag program so thatpeople can go and experience
these things that we take forgranted.
I can just.
Look online, pick a game.
I wanna go to buy a ticket andgo.
(18:54):
And I don't necessarily have tothink about is it gonna be too
loud?
Are there gonna be too manypeople?
Are there, things that are gonnaset me off and give me anxiety.
So I wanna make it so that thesefamilies can experience life
just like the rest of us.
It may look a little different,but that's okay.
And that's our goal is to makeour community a little bit more
inclusive.
So yeah, I'm really excitedabout.
(19:15):
The next few projects we havecoming up and I can't wait to
see them
Miguel Sanchez (19:23):
Thank you for sharing that.
And for any of you who arelistening and are interested in
psychology or the type of workthat you do connect with Jessica
and her work, she's doingtremendous.
what is the biggest, or what isthe greatest accomplishment
you've achieved as a first genstudent?
Jessica Tursi (19:40):
Oh, so As a first?
gen student, I would say mygreatest accomplishment was When
I got accepted and I will saythis into college and then
graduating for me was like a of.
Like validation, I think of,okay, I did it like, all this
(20:01):
paid off all the hard work thesacrifices, not being able to go
to like, know, like the partiesbecause I had to study'cause I
had an AP biology test onMonday.
It all paid off.
So I would say those twomoments, even though um, The
start those were the two momentswhere I was like, okay.
I,
Miguel Sanchez (20:21):
If you could go back in time when you were
getting ready to school howwould you advise yourself and
your parents
Jessica Tursi (20:28):
I would, honestly, I would say.
To keep on going, thateverything's gonna like work out
eventually situation.
But also to learn that noteveryone is posting online that.
Exactly the perfect scenario,right?
You're posting a highlight reel,right?
When people are puttingthemselves out there?
(20:49):
they're posting things, orthey're putting online, or
they're communicating with you,the things that work, people are
not gonna come to you and belike, Hey, I got here.
but.
These 50 road bumps came in theway.
I think especially as a firstgen student, you wanna compare
yourself to all these otherpeople and be like, oh, but they
look, They got into their, topfive schools and I didn't, or
(21:13):
hey to travel and go abroadtheir senior year, and I didn't
get to do that.
So it's really the comparison isjust.
It's not even a real comparison.
'cause you're comparing yourselfto something that doesn't exist.
So that.
to me would probably be the twothings that I would say to
myself is just, keep working onyou and keep whatever path you
(21:33):
have, everyone's path is gonnabe different.
We can all get to the samepoint, but I could take a very
different road than someone elseand that's okay.
Not everyone has to have thesame
Miguel Sanchez (21:46):
And you mentioned you're a parent, I
have a 6-year-old son and one ofthe things that I struggle is
building this.
Build a pathway where we don'tjust give them everything
because we didn't haveeverything and I think that a
lot of parents may feel thatway.
I'm assuming sometimes I'mtrying to figure out how to make
it challenging for my son tolearn his lessons.
(22:08):
how are you planning to, toraise your child in this in this
situation?
Or in other words, how are youplanning to advise your child on
careers in college?
Now, again, not being first gen
Jessica Tursi (22:21):
Yeah, so I have a three-year-old son.
if you if you ever meet him, youwould think he's 16 because the
things that come out of hismouth sometimes.
But, my husband and I strugglewith this too, of.
Us wanting to almostovercompensate for the things
that we felt that we didn't havethe opportunity to have or the
things that we wish we couldhave done.
(22:41):
so him and I go back and forthall the time of Need?
to slow down, Can't just he'sgotta be able to learn these
lessons for I get that he'sthree, but I also wanna set him
up so that he Has all theopportunities and he sees all
the differences.
I want him to be exposed to asmuch different cultures and
people as possible.
of my, parents they're, veryinvolved in.
(23:02):
in his life.
So always tell'em, you know,These are the things that.
Abuela does, and this is whatyour grandfather, does, and
these are the things thathappen.
and I, want him, to learn fromour experiences, but have his
own path in life, right?
I think we've all learned thatsometimes higher education is.
not for everyone.
And I I think that's okay.
if That's the path you choose tohave.
(23:23):
but I want him to be able tohave the freedom.
to explore passions.
Because I feel like I am veryfortunate that I do have a
passion for my career and Ican't imagine putting so much
time and energy into a careerthat I.
don't love or that I don't fullybelieve in.
So I want him to have thatopportunity and know that
(23:46):
however that takes him, thatwe'll be there to guide him and
we will be there To advise himfrom our mistakes in life
Miguel Sanchez (23:56):
Jessica.
Before we end, is there anythingelse that you would like to
share?
Any advice, any tips that youwould like to provide for our
listeners?
Jessica Tursi (24:05):
I think it's really just, and I said this
before, put yourself out there.
Be your own PR person.
Nobody knows you better than youand I.
That will, it might take alittle bit before you see the,
fruits of that coming to life.
but eventually it will, andeventually it'll be, it'll be,
(24:25):
oh yeah, you should go talk tothis person because, you told me
you do and now this person, youknow, always that seven degrees
of separation and I think younever know.
Who knows, somebody who may giveyou an opportunity that you
didn't even know was possible orexisted.
So definitely, you figure outwhat your package is
Miguel Sanchez (24:47):
Perfect.
Jessica, thank you for joiningtoday.
Thank you for sharing yourjourney and the amazing work
that you're doing, and foreveryone listening, tuning in
for the next episode.
Jessica, thank you again.
Jessica Tursi (24:57):
Thank
I had to work while I was in school because I
had to make ends meet.
So I had a full-time job and Iremember I became very close to
the girls that I was workingwith.
So in school, same year We had alot in common or so I thought
initially, and I remember veryearly on in our friendship, they
were like, oh, well my family isthe third, fourth generation in
(00:28):
the school.
And I'm gonna go enroll to be ina sorority.
And I remember thinking like,I've never even contemplated
that before.
My greatest accomplishment waswhen, when I got accepted, and I
will say this into college, alittle bit of imposter syndrome.
(00:50):
I was like, are you sure?
Me?
So that was, I think as astudent, my, my moment and then
graduating.
For me it was like a moment of.
Like validation, I think.
Hmm.
Of okay.
I did it like all this paid off.
All the hard work, thesacrifices, the not being able
(01:12):
to go to like, like the partiesbecause I had to study'cause I
had an AP biology test onMonday.
It all paid off.
I this is all worth it.
I think it's really just, and Isaid this before, put yourself
out there.
Be your own PR person.
Uh, nobody knows you better thanyou, and that will, it might
(01:37):
take a little bit before you seethe fruits of that coming to
life, but eventually it will.
you know, always at sevendegrees of separation and I
think you never know who knowssomebody who may give you an
opportunity that you didn't evenknow was possible or existed.
Miguel Sanchez (02:00):
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for joining foranother episode.
Today we have Jessica Tursi.
She is the Director ofDisability Services and
Navigation at GoodwillIndustries of Southwest Florida.
Jessica, welcome.
Jessica Tursi (02:16):
Thank you for having me.
Miguel Sanchez (02:19):
so right now we're in the middle of spring
and it's about 45 degrees herein New York.
What's the weather like inFlorida?
Jessica Tursi (02:27):
Oh.
it's right now in the eighties,
Miguel Sanchez (02:30):
And how long have you been living in Florida?
Jessica Tursi (02:33):
Oh gosh, I am, I've been here now for
Miguel Sanchez (02:38):
How do you ended up at your job?
I.
Jessica Tursi (02:40):
So I actually out of getting my bachelor's degree,
went into our local healthcaresystem.
I thought it would get me a footin the door in the career, in
the field I wanted.
So I thought it would give me agood foundation.
for what I.
Planned on doing next.
So I was with the healthcaresystem for a little bit.
I got to be part of the referralteam.
(03:02):
And I got to be a part of a lotof different experiences.
So any opportunity that I got, II kind of dove in and tried to
have those options available andI finally got into the field
that I wanted, I was able to bea registered behavioral
technician, so I helped kids whomaybe had a little bit more of
behavioral challenges and neededmore one-on-one assistance.
(03:24):
So I was able to do that.
And then from there, that agencythat I worked for was moving out
of the state and I just wasn'tprepared to make, that move.
I heard of the opportunity hereat Goodwill and it was for a
job.
coach within that samepopulation.
So I became a job coach andshortly after doing that, I
heard that they were alsostarting a life skills
(03:46):
development program for adultswith disabilities.
Um, so I jumped at thatopportunity and have been with
that program ever since.
And now I have the privilege of
Miguel Sanchez (03:56):
And how long have you been at this role?
Jessica Tursi (03:59):
so director, I'm going on three years with
Goodwill.
I am going
Miguel Sanchez (04:04):
Oh, terrific.
So let's take it back 13 to 15years and let's start.
Where did you grow up and whatwere your high school years
like?
Jessica Tursi (04:14):
I grew up in New York, New Jersey and we moved
here to Florida'cause my parentshad a job change.
and my high school, I, myparents really pushed because I.
was, Born here.
They wanted the American dream,so they put a lot of pressure.
I was also the oldest sibling,so I had to, set a good example
for my younger sister.
(04:35):
And so they really pushed thatof going to college, and that
kind of wasn't, there was noplan B, it was your going to
college.
and so I really just tried tofind as many opportunities.
I was fortunate enough to beaccepted into, my high school's
inter InternationalBaccalaureate program, which in
essence just means that you gotto have college credits before
(04:58):
you graduated.
And I think that really helpedme because it almost forced you
to to.
have a mentor in the sense ofsomeone guiding you along that
process.
And I.
Just am so grateful for thatopportunity and to have that
support.
'cause My parents were a hundredpercent on board, with whatever
I needed to do.
any extracurriculars, they weredriving me places.
(05:19):
they were, you for tutors,Whatever they could to make it
happen for me.
But they couldn't give mefirsthand experience of what
that process was like.
We'll help you, but we don'tknow what to do.
So I did have a support systemof all of us navigating this
process for the first time.
So I do think
Miguel Sanchez (05:40):
one of the common themes I hear is having
parents who value education andthough.
They may not know necessarilythe path, but they will work to
get those resources.
And so on that pathway, what didyou, how did you envision
yourself?
Were you thinking about, and Ihear this a lot in first
(06:00):
generation students too, goingfor medicine or law, sort of
those glamorous, so to speak,jobs.
What did that look like for you?
What was your career vision?
Jessica Tursi (06:12):
So I I followed that same track.
I wanted to be a pediatrician.
and so my whole high schoolthat's what I did.
And I took AP Biology and I tookall of these classes because I
was dead set on being apediatrician.
I think that also fell into myparents' desire for that,
American dream of, you know,being able to have a child that
goes to be One of those toptier, positions in life of
(06:35):
lawyer or doctor.
I, so started school and I was apre-med, I was a biology major.
And two quarter, like twosemesters in I had to take an
elective and I Went through thelist and one of them was
abnormal psychology and Ithought, Hey, this is different
than what I was taking.
It should be somethinginteresting.
(06:55):
and I took it and I was hooked.
I loved that so much, and Iremember being so stressed out
to call my parents afterfinishing that semester to tell
them, Hey, I think I'm changingmy career path.
I think I'm going intopsychology.
And I remember they had a lot ofquestions like, what does this
look like?
(07:16):
What is the end game like, whatare you doing?
And it was eventually when Iexplained myself and I, and they
saw the passion I had for it.
They were all on board,
Miguel Sanchez (07:26):
And so where were you in school at that
point?
Jessica Tursi (07:29):
So I was going into my sophomore year I was
going to University of SouthFlorida.
Um, and so I, yeah, I switchedmajors my sophomore year and I
became a
Miguel Sanchez (07:42):
Were you able to travel to these schools and
did you apply to more than one?
How did that selection processlook like for you?
Jessica Tursi (07:51):
So I, I did apply to several schools and I will
say my parents did everything totry to get us to be able to go
travel.
to go see the schools.
Think in the moment I reallyunderstood the sacrifices they
were making.
I get it now because I'm now amom and, have a child of my own
that I'm, trying to get him setup for the future.
(08:13):
But yeah I see that now they,were taking out loans.
They were taking out secondjobs.
But I was able to travel.
I was able to go see theschools.
And I will say I was fortunateenough that they really left the
school selection process to me.
very focused and wanted toachieve these goals.
my research I looked up theschools, and when we sat down.
(08:35):
Was a process in itself becauseI was trying to figure out what
does it mean to research aschool?
What does that entail?
Is it just Hey, who, what schoolis the most popular?
Is it the school that most of myhigh school is going to?
Is it the school That hasprograms and so that was a
little bit of a learning curve,
Miguel Sanchez (08:57):
Recently I read a book, and this is the third
episode that I mentioned thisbook.
And the only reason why Imentioned it is it made such a
deep impact in my understandingof what college education looks
like.
And I'm gonna have the title ofthe book in the show notes.
'cause right now I'm looking atthe book, but I can't remember
the title.
And essentially it talks aboutcolleges and there are over
(09:17):
4,000 colleges in the UnitedStates.
Something I did not know.
And in the process, not everycollege is for everyone.
how did you decide that thisschool was the right one for you
Jessica Tursi (09:30):
So in my research, and mind you, this is
my, when I was pre-med track,university of South Florida had
a very intensive researchdepartment.
They had, a very large uh,hospital in Tampa, was right on.
the campus.
So it had a lot of things that Iwas like oh, if I'm already in
the.
School.
These are connections that havealready paved for me.
(09:52):
and I can just really takeadvantage of those
opportunities.
So ultimately that's why ofSouth Florida was my number one
choice was because of thoseconnections.
And I just thought, make thingsharder for myself when I can set
myself up for success and, aschool that was geared to what
Miguel Sanchez (10:10):
in your learning process, at what point
did you realize or I guess whatwas an example when you were in
college and you realized, I amnot like everyone else.
I and what would, what did youfeel or perceive that made you
think or put you in the placethat you're a first gen student
Jessica Tursi (10:30):
So I can think of one very clear example.
I I had to work while I was inschool because, had to make ends
meet.
So I had a full-time job and Iremember I became very close to
the girls that I was workingwith also, in school same year,
range.
We had a lot in common or so Ithought initially and I
remember.
(10:50):
Very early on in our friendship,they were like, oh, well, my
family is The third, fourthgeneration in the school.
and I'm gonna go enroll to be ina sorority.
and I remember thinking like,I've never even contemplated
that before.
Like, that even on my radar.
And they were like, oh yeah, myfamily, you know, generations of
(11:11):
women in my family have been inthe sorority.
Gonna try to pledge for thesorority.
And I remember just thinkinglike that is crazy to me.
You have so many generationsthat went to college and were
part of these.
groups.
And I remember.
hearing their experience of thepledging process and all of
that.
And I couldn't I could not wrapmy head around that thinking of
(11:34):
imagine having so manygenerations of experience and
support and advice you couldlike really hone into.
So that to me was the First likevery glaring okay I'm in a
different the different
Miguel Sanchez (11:49):
Building that social capital through the
fraternities and the sororities,that's a big thing because
that's how you connect and youbuild relationships.
Going on the topic of buildingrelationships, since you changed
trajectory, after taking thisabnormal psychology class,
which.
I'm afraid to take that class'cause I probably will see
(12:11):
myself very abnormal and I'mtrying to avoid that.
So maybe at a separate episodewe can go deeper into that, but
for the moment how did you buildmentors in school?
Or how did you build guidancefrom other people, if any?
Jessica Tursi (12:23):
When I took that abnormal psychology class, I
remember.
going to the professor andsaying I think this class
changed my.
My path.
I think this class is making merealize that I'm in the wrong
field or in the wrong path tothe wrong field.
And she said, that's great.
I'm so happy to hear that.
She's I have another classthat's like the step above this
(12:46):
one.
You should really considertaking it.
And I said, oh, of course.
Once I sign up for classes, I'llsign up for it.
And So I did.
And she, that moment herteaching assistant.
Ended up graduating.
so she offered me, theopportunity and I took it.
She was, in the process ofgetting her credentialing board
certified behavior analyst.
(13:06):
and I had never heard of.
That position, I didn't knowwhat that was.
So yes, I was her for herclasses, but also I was hearing
the things she was saying whenshe was prepping for things and
she was going to do things andshe would ask me like, Hey, do
you want some extra hours.
So in assisting her journey, Imade that turn of, it's not just
(13:26):
psychology in the overarchingfield It was more of that
specific path.
And I fell in love
Miguel Sanchez (13:34):
And so after that, did you start doing
internships?
How did you make the actualtransition?
Because one of the things aboutfirst gen students is to have
this great passion for a careerpath, but making that transition
from college to an actual job.
It's a big challenge.
What did that look like for you?
How were you able to findinternship jobs
Jessica Tursi (13:54):
so once I graduated like I said before, I
went into the healthcare fieldhere locally.
And I was, checking people in,referrals, that kind of thing.
Just getting my veryfoundational.
But I still was on social.
media.
I was looking at differentevents that were happening That
had to do with the field that Iwanted to be in.
And I would go to these events Iwould go on weekends, I would go
(14:15):
at night.
And just even though I wasn't apart of that, field, it was
still something I was interestedin.
And I wanted to know who werethe key players, who what are
the different options.
what what is happening?
So I did make it so that I.
was at least knowledgeableenough where if I did get the
opportunity.
I could stand my own in thatsense.
(14:35):
I will say that I ran and I'msure a lot of other students do,
where entry level, is notnecessarily entry level.
They want someone with a littlebit more experience and I
unfortunately at that time onlyhad the volunteering and the TA
assistance.
I, I made myself um.
continue to learn on, on ownand, you know, make sure up to
date on all the best practicesand things like that, I needed
(14:57):
to package myself.
and make sure that I.
was in the places that
Miguel Sanchez (15:02):
So a couple of things you mentioned and I wanna
highlight'cause I think they'reimportant.
One, that initiative to attendthese events and be involved, So
for those of you are listening,whatever area you're pursuing,
if you're not, if you don't havethat internship or that job
right after school, getting tothose spaces, especially now
with social media, you canfigure out ways to connect with
(15:22):
other people, attend as manysocial events as you can within
that area because you're goingto understand how that world
operates, And as most of youalready know or probably know.
Opportunities come from otherpeople, so you really have to
connect with others.
And then the second thing isthough some jobs are entry level
(15:44):
that do or some of them willrequire experience of some sort
of background.
As you said, be your own PRperson.
I love how you said that becauseyou will have to advocate for
yourself.
You will find people to helpyou, but you have to be ready
for those opportunities and thatcan look differently.
You could be doing volunteerwork, internship, et cetera.
(16:04):
And so talk to us about yourcurrent job, what you're doing.
It's noble work and I do admireAnd when we connected it was I
couldn't wait to get to thisepisode'cause I really wanted to
hear about the amazing work youdo.
So tell us about your role atGoodwill and what is your sort
of day to day.
Jessica Tursi (16:23):
I have the privilege of being the director
of Display Services Navigation.
So oversee all of the disabilityservices that we offer here.
Uh, the to Opportunity Program,which is our life skills program
for adults with disabilities.
It's Autism, down syndrome,cerebral palsy, traumatic brain
injuries.
really get to take someone, Posthigh school and give them.
(16:44):
the life skills.
We give them a safe space tolearn.
They're with people you know,that they connect with and they
can really work with.
And so our main focus is givingthem the life skills in a
classroom safe sp setting.
and then we make a real worldconnection.
So if they're learning moneyskills in the classroom.
then maybe the following,they're going to a bank and
(17:07):
withdrawing or depositing funds,or maybe they're taking a budget
and going to the grocery storeand seeing if they can compare
prices and make sure they'regoing together ultimate goal
that they become as independentin their life as possible.
our folks are, varying levels.
and so that's kind of maingo-to.
we, uh, currently are servingover a hundred a year.
(17:27):
So that's a really exciting,that we have.
And then I also oversee ourdisability navigation program,
which basically helps familiesonce they get a diagnosis of a
disability for their childnavigate.
the space so they get to kindhave somebody to go along with
them.
And know, okay, this is thefirst step, this is what we're
gonna do, and now that we gethere, let's connect all these.
(17:48):
pieces, So that the family isalso as well prepared as
possible.
'Cause that's something else isthat, especially in my world,
it's not just the individualwe're serving, it's that whole
team, That whole family,everyone involved.
So yeah, I, I get the honor ofworking with some amazing people
that teach me
Miguel Sanchez (18:08):
What's something really big that you're
working on or that's coming upahead?
Jessica Tursi (18:13):
Yeah, so we were very fortunate to make some
great connections and partners.
now we actually have a few newprojects in the works.
One of them being in southwestFlorida.
We have a lot of, sportingteams.
And in my program I have a lotof folks who are huge sports
fans.
Problem being, because of theirdisability, they may not always
(18:33):
be able to attend these sportingevents.
Because, sensory needs, it'soverload.
It is just a lot.
So we're working with differentteams here locally to create a
sensory bag program so thatpeople can go and experience
these things that we take forgranted.
I can just.
Look online, pick a game.
I wanna go to buy a ticket andgo.
(18:54):
And I don't necessarily have tothink about is it gonna be too
loud?
Are there gonna be too manypeople?
Are there, things that are gonnaset me off and give me anxiety.
So I wanna make it so that thesefamilies can experience life
just like the rest of us.
It may look a little different,but that's okay.
And that's our goal is to makeour community a little bit more
inclusive.
So yeah, I'm really excitedabout.
(19:15):
The next few projects we havecoming up and I can't wait to
see them
Miguel Sanchez (19:23):
Thank you for sharing that.
And for any of you who arelistening and are interested in
psychology or the type of workthat you do connect with Jessica
and her work, she's doingtremendous.
what is the biggest, or what isthe greatest accomplishment
you've achieved as a first genstudent?
Jessica Tursi (19:40):
Oh, so As a first?
gen student, I would say mygreatest accomplishment was When
I got accepted and I will saythis into college and then
graduating for me was like a of.
Like validation, I think of,okay, I did it like, all this
(20:01):
paid off all the hard work thesacrifices, not being able to go
to like, know, like the partiesbecause I had to study'cause I
had an AP biology test onMonday.
It all paid off.
So I would say those twomoments, even though um, The
start those were the two momentswhere I was like, okay.
I,
Miguel Sanchez (20:21):
If you could go back in time when you were
getting ready to school howwould you advise yourself and
your parents
Jessica Tursi (20:28):
I would, honestly, I would say.
To keep on going, thateverything's gonna like work out
eventually situation.
But also to learn that noteveryone is posting online that.
Exactly the perfect scenario,right?
You're posting a highlight reel,right?
When people are puttingthemselves out there?
(20:49):
they're posting things, orthey're putting online, or
they're communicating with you,the things that work, people are
not gonna come to you and belike, Hey, I got here.
but.
These 50 road bumps came in theway.
I think especially as a firstgen student, you wanna compare
yourself to all these otherpeople and be like, oh, but they
look, They got into their, topfive schools and I didn't, or
(21:13):
hey to travel and go abroadtheir senior year, and I didn't
get to do that.
So it's really the comparison isjust.
It's not even a real comparison.
'cause you're comparing yourselfto something that doesn't exist.
So that.
to me would probably be the twothings that I would say to
myself is just, keep working onyou and keep whatever path you
(21:33):
have, everyone's path is gonnabe different.
We can all get to the samepoint, but I could take a very
different road than someone elseand that's okay.
Not everyone has to have thesame
Miguel Sanchez (21:46):
And you mentioned you're a parent, I
have a 6-year-old son and one ofthe things that I struggle is
building this.
Build a pathway where we don'tjust give them everything
because we didn't haveeverything and I think that a
lot of parents may feel thatway.
I'm assuming sometimes I'mtrying to figure out how to make
it challenging for my son tolearn his lessons.
(22:08):
how are you planning to, toraise your child in this in this
situation?
Or in other words, how are youplanning to advise your child on
careers in college?
Now, again, not being first gen
Jessica Tursi (22:21):
Yeah, so I have a three-year-old son.
if you if you ever meet him, youwould think he's 16 because the
things that come out of hismouth sometimes.
But, my husband and I strugglewith this too, of.
Us wanting to almostovercompensate for the things
that we felt that we didn't havethe opportunity to have or the
things that we wish we couldhave done.
(22:41):
so him and I go back and forthall the time of Need?
to slow down, Can't just he'sgotta be able to learn these
lessons for I get that he'sthree, but I also wanna set him
up so that he Has all theopportunities and he sees all
the differences.
I want him to be exposed to asmuch different cultures and
people as possible.
of my, parents they're, veryinvolved in.
(23:02):
in his life.
So always tell'em, you know,These are the things that.
Abuela does, and this is whatyour grandfather, does, and
these are the things thathappen.
and I, want him, to learn fromour experiences, but have his
own path in life, right?
I think we've all learned thatsometimes higher education is.
not for everyone.
And I I think that's okay.
if That's the path you choose tohave.
(23:23):
but I want him to be able tohave the freedom.
to explore passions.
Because I feel like I am veryfortunate that I do have a
passion for my career and Ican't imagine putting so much
time and energy into a careerthat I.
don't love or that I don't fullybelieve in.
So I want him to have thatopportunity and know that
(23:46):
however that takes him, thatwe'll be there to guide him and
we will be there To advise himfrom our mistakes in life
Miguel Sanchez (23:56):
Jessica.
Before we end, is there anythingelse that you would like to
share?
Any advice, any tips that youwould like to provide for our
listeners?
Jessica Tursi (24:05):
I think it's really just, and I said this
before, put yourself out there.
Be your own PR person.
Nobody knows you better than youand I.
That will, it might take alittle bit before you see the,
fruits of that coming to life.
but eventually it will, andeventually it'll be, it'll be,
(24:25):
oh yeah, you should go talk tothis person because, you told me
you do and now this person, youknow, always that seven degrees
of separation and I think younever know.
Who knows, somebody who may giveyou an opportunity that you
didn't even know was possible orexisted.
So definitely, you figure outwhat your package is
Miguel Sanchez (24:47):
Perfect.
Jessica, thank you for joiningtoday.
Thank you for sharing yourjourney and the amazing work
that you're doing, and foreveryone listening, tuning in
for the next episode.
Jessica, thank you again.
Jessica Tursi (24:57):
Thank
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