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APRIL ROBINSON
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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SAINT JOHN - Scott Martin was living the dream.

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KâtÈ LeBlanc/Telegraph-Journal

NBCC Saint John grads Vanessa Galbraith, graduating in business administration and winner of the Governor General medal, and valedictorian Scott Martin, graduating in computer programing technology.

The Saint John native went to Manhattan College on a college baseball scholarship, then signed with the San Diego Padres.

But eventually, he realized he wouldn't make it to the major leagues.

"I wanted to progress with my life," said Martin, 31. "You can only give yourself so much time."

So Martin moved back home. At first, it was difficult. He spent some time working as a personal trainer - he'd started a kinesiology program at the University of New Brunswick before going to Manhattan - then he decided to enroll in computer programming at New Brunswick Community College.

Friday, it finally felt like everything had fallen into place.

Martin was the valedictorian at the college's graduation at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre.

Though it was a long journey to kick-start his second career, Martin said if it weren't for his experience, he wouldn't have been as successful.

"Being part of a team, you learn the true definition of dedication and commitment," said Martin, who's wife, Katie McDevitt, is expecting a baby in November. "You can apply these skills in every aspect of life."

Martin was one of 688 NBCC students who graduated from 30 programs Friday.

Parents and family members flooded the convention centre, snapping photos and waving as graduates in flowing navy gowns paraded into the room.

Energy Minister Jack Keir addressed the graduates, reinforcing his support of the college, and assuring parents "we are working every day to ensure they have the right skill sets to work right here in Saint John."

Vanessa Galbraith, 24, won the Governor General's Academic Medal for achieving the highest overall average, at 95 per cent.

Though she has a full-time accounting job waiting for her at Beers Neal LLP in uptown Saint John, Galbraith's path wasn't always so clear.

She started a science program at UNBSJ, and left after a year and a half.

"I decided it wasn't for me," she said before graduation. "I took some time off and really thought about what I wanted to do. Now I know exactly what I want."

Graduation represents the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another, said Diane Burt, Saint John campus principal, before the ceremony.

She said the recession didn't seem to be affecting the graduates' job prospects.

"It seems everywhere else it is, but I think the outlook for New Brunswickers is very good."

Chris LeBlanc wasn't so sure.

The power engineering technician said he was thrilled to graduate, but he's still looking for work. He's applied all over New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and as far west as Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alta.

"It's been really rough for everybody," said LeBlanc, 21, of Saint John, after receiving his diploma. "I'll have to go where the jobs are."

Jiggling his one-year-old son on his hip, Matthew Dunn, 26, said he drove to class every day from his home in Sussex.

"It was a little stressful at times," he said about finishing the welding program. "But I wanted to get a better job. You need an education to get anywhere these days."