Towering over many Cerritos students at 6 foot 5 inches, one could say that Jared Tan had, and continues to have, some pretty big dreams.

As a college student and young adult, Tan was unsure of what he wanted to do after college.

After years of struggling with a career path, however, Tan realized he had a growing passion in the field of nursing.

“My major had changed throughout the years. It started with computer science. Then it changed to graphic design then business and then finally nursing. Nursing wasn’t my first choice. But it’s something that runs in the family.

“They lead by example. I want to be just like them as I continue to grow up. Successful genes run in my family, you know.”

Tan first attended Cerritos in the fall of 2000 and began taking health occupation curriculum in order to obtain an Associates Degree in nursing.

After graduating four years later in the fall of 2005, Tan recently received his certification in March and is now a registered nurse working for Kaiser Permanente.

Although tempted to pursue another career, Tan indulged in the benefits an occupation in nursing could offer.

“At first, I was tempted to go into business for the money. But then I realized nursing offers that and so much more. I mean, where else can you earn some decent cash and save a couple lives all in one day? That, and the time flexibility nursing allows. It gives me time to enjoy life rather working 24/7.”

Tan doesn’t plan to stop now that he’s a registered nurse, though.

“I want to be the first male nursing instructor at Cerritos College,” Tan says with a laugh.

“I thought it would be a neat change for once. I don’t think there has ever been a male nursing instructor there; definitely not a common thing. It’d be nice to stir things up a bit!”

Marijean Piorkowski, curriculum committee chair and instructor in the physical therapist assistant program, admires Tan’s aspirations.

“I don’t believe we’ve ever had a full-time, male nursing instructor- maybe part-time but not full. I think (Tan’s) goal is wonderful.”

Tan was inspired to create such a goal for himself after experiencing Cerritos’ nursing program first hand.

“I was impressed and inspired by the faculty at Cerritos. Especially the health occupations staff! In my opinion, they are some of the most dedicated, hardworking individuals out there with a real passion for teaching. I want to give back tenfold what has been handed to me.

“I experienced first hand the genuine compassion and dedication that the Cerritos College nursing faculty has for their students. They are counselors, mentors, and, more importantly, friends.”

And while Tan is pursing a career in nursing, he still manages to indulge in his second love – photography.

“I want to establish my name as a credible photographer. I love photography because it allows you to show things – not what you see, but how you see it. Making your point of view is one thing, showing your point of view is another. To me, the latter holds more impact.”

Indulging so much so, that Tan has actually made a secondary career out of his photography fancy. Tan works as a freelance photographer and works in association with several different photography companies.

“I consider myself a businessman at heart, and I’m always thinking of ways to make money. So, why not make money doing the thing I love? It wasn’t a hard decision, really.”

Tan once said on his photography website, “A good picture can tell you a story of a thousand words instantaneously.”

That being said, one can say that Tan is quite the narrator.