Essilor Opticianry Scholarship: A Tale of Two Women - Continued

For more than a decade, Danne Ventura worked in the music business in the San Francisco area, booking nightclubs and doing some engineering.  But the once-vibrant Bay area music scene was drying up, and Danne knew she’d have to change careers if she wanted to move up. 

Almost by accident, she entered an opticianry program. Danne soon knew she had found her calling.  Today, Danne Ventura is director of professional relations at Essilor, the world’s leading provider of eyeglass lenses. 

This fall, Joanne and Danne met when she presented Joanne with a scholarship sponsored by Essilor.  As women who both found opticianry in mid-career, they formed an immediate bond. 

Another thing they share is their admiration for Professor Wong.  It turns out he was one of the main reasons Essilor chose to sponsor a scholarship at BFIT. 

Professor Wong has lived up to Joanne’s initial impression. “He’s so helpful and supportive,” she says.  “He really cares about his students.” 

BFIT also helps Joanne maintain a connection to her late husband.  He graduated from the school and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree.  Just two weeks after his death, the family received an acceptance letter from a master’s program to which he had applied. 

Joanne plans to stay in touch with Essilor.  “I owe a great deal to them,” she said.  “Every nickel and dime matters when it comes to paying for my education.”  The company told her they’d be happy to talk upon Joanne’s graduation this spring. 

Both women talked about the many options open to opticianry graduates.  They range from dispensing glasses, to working in a lab, to going into management.  Although Joanne isn’t sure of exactly which option she’ll pursue, she knows her love of education will be part of the mix.  She has taught in the past and wouldn’t mind doing more of it in the future. 

Danne Ventura said it best when she described herself as “a career changer who went farther than expected.”  The chances are good that Joanne Polci will follow in Danne’s footsteps.