How I Bruin: Billy Day

For William "Billy" Day, the sky is the limit when it comes to pursuing his dreams. His academic journey began over two decades ago at SLCC as an aspiring zoologist. As an animal lover, he wanted to make a difference with exotic furry friends, and he achieved his dream by becoming a zookeeper at the Hogle Zoo. However, after seven years, he realized that, at times, passion does not pay the bills, and he decided to embark on another journey.

Billy's limitless courage to pursue his dreams led him to pivot from zookeeping to the travel and tourism industry, where he eventually obtained his private pilot license. Billy then became an airline steward, allowing him to serve passengers in the sky and ensure their comfortable and safe flight. After exploring and working in the travel industry for some time, Billy faced a health scare that motivated him to rethink his path.

That's when he rekindled his passion for cooking and enrolled in culinary school. Balancing classes with a full-time job as an airline steward and taking on leadership as the Culinary Club President, Billy has truly made the most of his time at SLCC. With a sprinkle of determination and clever planning, he has learned how to juggle everything and make it work.

"One of the greatest experiences I obtained as an SLCC student was the opportunity to study abroad in India. The chance to learn different cooking methods and dishes while exploring new ingredients and different depths of flavors and add new skills to my cooking repertoire has been immeasurable for me." Says Billy.

Billy's dream is to open a catering business, potentially set among the beautiful scenery of Vermont, where he envisions a place to share his culinary creations while celebrating the relationships he has built along the way. Billy's academic journey is a reminder that while life can throw curveballs, it is never too late to pursue our dreams.

Comments

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

SLCC Alumnus and U.S. Diplomat to Speak at 2025 Commencement

Salt Lake Community College’s 2025 Commencement speaker Branigan Knowlton will share his perspectives drawn from a 12-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. In serving his country, Knowlton has honed his foreign relations and diplomacy skills in Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia and Italy. Knowlton is also a proud Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) alumnus (2002). Knowlton currently serves at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Before reporting to the embassy, he was detailed to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship program. In Bogotá, Knowlton worked for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and in Hermosillo, Mexico, he worked for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. His first assignment abroad was in Hong Kong, where he worked for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. "I've actively sought opportunities that push me into the unfamiliar, even when ...

Recognizing SLCC's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering

The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a recognition of quality work by one of Salt Lake Community College’s full-time faculty and a charge to develop that work over an academic year into a public presentation. A committee chosen by the Associate Provost for Learning Advancement selects the faculty lecturer each year. The lecture takes place in the spring. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering Dr. Andrew Vogt’s teaching philosophy is guided by two principles, curiosity and efficiency. “Curiosity leads us to study a topic and allows us to really understand the ins and outs of research, while efficiency is all about sustainability,” he says. Andrew describes curiosity as a pure, open-minded impulse to explore, such as the ease with which children learn new concepts with virtually no instruction. Efficiency adds maturity to that childlike impulse, creating structures and pathways for accomplishment. Andrew’s work has alwa...

Official SLCC Blog

Search This Blog