Student Spotlight: Chelsea Marvel-Brooks

Chelsea Marvel-Brooks will earn her Electrical Lineworker Career Certificate from SFSC in December 2025. The Plant City, Fla. native currently resides in Bowling Green. Although her path to an education as a lineworker was fraught with obstacles, she overcame them to find clarity for her life, as well as future employment that will provide a good income and sustenance for her spirit.

In 2024, Duke Energy gave the SFSC Electrical Lineworker program a $50,000 grant. When Marvel-Brooks was asked to explain how this grant contributed to her education and future, she told this story of her personal journey and accomplishments:

“On the morning of May 1, 2017, I dug out a bookbag stuffed with clothes from the bottom of my laundry hamper, gathered my three young children into my car, and drove down U.S. Highway 27. I was chasing after a better life for the sake of my children’s future and I’ve been chasing that life ever since.

“Upon starting our journey, my children and I endured many hardships, including homelessness. Some nights were cold, most nights were long, but with every night, I was driven by faith. In March 30, 2023, I was finally able to get my own apartment.

“On Feb. 28, 2020, by the grace of God, I found the Alpha and Omega Freedom that provides a program for battered women and children in Hardee County. People who run the program dedicate their lives to helping other women like me, who have children, find the freedom we have been seeking for so long. Through the Ministries, we became involved with the local community, attended betterment classes, and never missed a day of church.

“At this time, recruiters from South Florida State College partnered with the Alpha and Omega Freedom Ministries to provide a class that brought awareness about the resources available through the College to better women’s lives through education. After the class, I took the opportunity to speak with a recruiter personally. We discussed my strengths, my skills, and my desire for an opportunity to better the future of my family. The recruiter recommended that I sign up for the College’s Electrical Lineworker program. Although a male-dominated field, it requires strength, courage, communication, and a true desire to not only make a difference but be the difference. As a woman who loves a challenge, is dedicated to helping others, and strives for a brighter future, I knew in that moment that I wanted to become a lineworker.

“Prior to starting classes at SFSC, I sat down and wrote out a set of goals for myself and my family, focusing on the fundamentals I had yet to obtain. One of my priorities was reinstating my driver’s license.

“At the age of 17, my driving privileges were suspended for driving under the influence. I was undereducated and unaware of Newton’s third law: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I had no idea how much the choices I made then would affect my life later on.

“Over the years, I spent time and money fulfilling the requirements of the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and the court system to reinstate my driving privileges. On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2024, I finally met all the requirements, paid the last penny, and successfully passed my driving test. I was presented a clearance letter that validated my driver’s license and reinstated my driving privileges in Florida.

“For over 10 years, I knew there was a greater reason driving me to obtain a valid driver’s license. After starting the Electrical Lineworker program at SFSC in January 2024, I found that reason. While I’m only four months into the course, I give all credit to my instructors and fellow classmates for motivating me to apply to reinstate my driver’s license and understand the responsibilities that come with it.

“Although I successfully obtained a high school diploma by passing the GED examinations as a young adult, I enrolled at SFSC with a seventh-grade education. Through all the lessons life has taught me, nothing could prepare me for the line world like SFSC. At SFSC, I’m surrounded by well-educated instructors who have great communication and a pure desire to help shape the next generation of electrical lineworkers effectively, while being surrounded by like-minded students who make daily sacrifices to better their own future. Together, we have become a family at SFSC.

“Each day, the instructors give the students a task to complete. Each task challenges not only the students’ physical strength but also their intelligence, efficiency, communication, and ability to work as a team in a timely manner. After every task, I become more and more aware of my own personal strengths and weaknesses. It allows me to grow emotionally in front of my children, which I believe is the seed to their brighter future.

“In 2023, Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida, said, ‘For our communities to thrive, we need skilled lineworkers to maintain our infrastructure, and SFSC can prepare individuals for a rewarding career by equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to perform utility linework.’

“After receiving the grant from Duke Energy, SFSC expanded the amount of its safety equipment, tools, and climbing gear for each class. In turn, the number of students for the program increased, and it allowed me to be there today.”

“Chelsea is one of the most highly motivated and studious students that I have the pleasure of training,” said Christopher Yeomans, SFSC Electrical Distribution professor. “She has a bright future ahead of her.”

SFSC’s Electrical Lineworker Program prepares students to work as electric line technicians in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electric utility overhaul and underground systems. Through 1,500 contact hours of training at the College’s Hardee Campus, students gain an understanding of electrical systems, operations, and safety while mastering competencies in electrical distribution, basic electrical theory, and underground electrical construction operations. They learn how to maintain electric power systems and use electrical distribution equipment. The program provides practice in climbing, framing, building single and three-phase overhead lines, pole top and bucket rescue techniques, operating bucket trucks, and maintaining and repairing underground systems. Students who successfully complete the program earn a Career Certificate.

For more information about SFSC’s Electrical Lineworker Program, contact Yeomans, electrical distribution professor, by emailing yeomansC@southflorida.edu or calling ext. 7045.