SPOTLIGHT: NOVEMBER 25, 2024
Helana Cormier (2016)
Organizational Management
SJR State honors one of its own in an alumni salute, celebrating the career milestones, community contributions and personal reflections of those who began their collegiate journey as SJR State Vikings.
Helana is a Clay County realtor with Florida Homes Realty & Mortgage, wife and mom of seven! When Helana earned her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from SJR State in 2016, it helped to form the foundation for her new career as a real estate agent.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE?
In 2020 COVID happened. I got sick and brought COVID home to my family. My husband got COVID pneumonia and it truly scared all of us. COVID aggravated some of my pre-existing health conditions. I ended up leaving (her former job) on short term and long-term disability. During that time we realized we needed a financial change and I was inspired by my nephew Dan Murphy, who was getting his real estate license in North Carolina. I had always heard the real estate test was too hard to pass. But Dan reminded me that anybody can study hard and get their license. I knew I was capable of learning and started the pretest classes. Within a few weeks, I passed the real estate pre-exam and the Florida Real Estate post-exam.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER BEFORE YOU EARNED YOUR BACHELOR’S?
Before I started college I was a full-time mom raising our six children at the time.
In 2010, unfortunately, my husband and I went through a divorce. I knew there were many areas in my life that I needed to change.
A little history of my childhood, growing up, and how I got to where I was in life. I was abused as a little child and did not have the coping skills I needed or a healthy family to help me through the trauma. In 1992, by the time I was 15 years old, my mom let me move out of her house, I moved in with my dad. I had dropped out of high school, and shortly after turning 16 years old, I became pregnant with my first child. At 17 years old, my husband and I got married, but I never dealt with my unhealthy behaviors. Fast forward 17 years later, I was a mom of our six children, never learned how to drive, my last grade completed was technically 8th grade, and life finally exploded.
During this time, I started One on One Mentoring through First Baptist Church of Middleburg, I started counseling at Clay Behavioral, I learned how to drive/ got my license, and I went back to school at the Adult and Community Education where I earned my high school diploma. I was on a fast track trying to do everything I could to take care of myself and our children.
We were so grateful for the resources in Clay County and all the assistance to help me go from “in crisis” to “self-sufficient.” By the Grace of God, me and my ex-husband were able to restore our family. Even though I was bringing back my 7th child, I had made a mess of things, we decided to get remarried, and we would both work on the areas we needed to, together. There was about 2 years that I spent learning to be fully dependent on the Lord and letting Him guide me through the process. I spent almost 3 years in mentoring, counseling, and finally receiving my AA (2013). Then I started my bachelor’s program. In 2016, I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management - Supervision and Management.
We are eternally grateful for the healing and spending the last 12+ years together. It’s not easy but it’s priceless!!!
HOW DID SJR STATE PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?
When I started as a realtor, I was the new agent. I added my diploma in my portfolio that I would present when I went on a listing presentation appointment. Having my bachelor’s degree demonstrated my competency, to successfully complete the paperwork and transactions. This was the first time I was fully able to feel like all the work that I had done to get my bachelor’s degree had finally paid off. I believe that if I didn’t have my bachelor’s degree, it would’ve been harder for people to trust me as a new agent and that I could handle listing their property and getting it sold.
WHAT WAS THE GREATEST THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF WHILE ENROLLED AT SJR STATE?
The greatest thing I learned about myself while being enrolled at SJR State was that I could finish whatever I started no matter how long it took. It took me six years to complete my bachelor’s degree but it’s something I will have for the rest of my life. Sometimes things take longer to get completed than you might expect, but as long as you never quit and keep pressing on, you eventually complete what you started.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
My favorite part about real estate is helping families sell their homes and move to their next chapter in life and helping families find that perfect home for them to raise their family. It is a stressful process and I absolutely love praying with them and reminding them that it is going to work out. The relationships are priceless.
I also love being able to encourage young adults that the real estate exam is not as difficult as you think. I encourage them to hold a real estate license, complete their continuing education, and earn passive income for the rest of their life as a referral agent.
