Huskies Women's Soccer alumni and 2019 graduate, Francesca Girardo, didn’t know what career path to pursue while she was in high school or even during her first program at George Brown, but a single experience changed all of that.
“In my third year of the Dental Technology program, I participated in a non-profit organisation called Nine Miles of Smiles. I helped run a free denture clinic in Jamaica for the less fortunate,” she explained. “Seeing how my teacher was with patients, I just knew I wanted that type of patient relationship. That led me to apply to the Denturism program at George Brown as my next career step.”
Now just two years after graduating, Girardo is working as a denturist at Crescent Oral Surgery, one of the biggest companies in the field in Canada. She’s currently helping develop and grow a particular area of the business.
“We’re trying to bring in the lab side of things. They want to offer patients "teeth in a day". For example, you come in, we pull a tooth, place an implant, and put in a crown,” she said. “I’m helping them run the prosthetic side of this clinic. I’m doing all their digital aspects; designing dentures, crowns, implants and other stuff on the computer and making everything in-house.”
Girardo loves that aspect of the job, but the best part in her mind is when she sees the smiles and emotions in peoples’ faces after surgery.
“In my last year at George Brown, I went back to Jamaica and just seeing the difference you can make in someone’s life with just one tooth was huge for me. One thing that stood out to me in Jamaica and made me take a step back and understand [that] this [is] what I’m supposed to do, is [noticing that] people are losing or not getting jobs if they’re missing one tooth. And the smile that lights up in the patient’s face after the procedure is unbelievable. That is so reassuring,” she explained. “Even at my current job, when patients thank and tell me I changed their life is so rewarding. It showed me that what I’m doing is not for me, but for them.”
Before this part of her life took shape, Girardo spent five years from 2014 to 2019 as a student-athlete playing for the Huskies women’s indoor and outdoor soccer programs. Out of high school, she was already making her way to George Brown, as it was the only college that offered a dental technology program, however she was not planning on playing for a team until then-Women’s Soccer head coach (and current Men’s Soccer head coach) John Williams expressed interested in her after refereeing one of her local club matches.
The team was going in a new direction under Williams, and Girardo thought it would be a great opportunity for her to grow both on and off the pitch.
“It was intriguing [that] I could be there to help grow the team. I was able to be a part of that growth and help make an impact in the present and future. I could develop with the team and Johnny, and he could make me into the player he wanted,” she stated.
The defender went on to play 38 career outdoor soccer matches and scored one goal, while participating in five indoor soccer seasons. In the classroom, she graduated from both the Dental Technology and Denturism (with Honors) programs.
Girardo truly enjoyed every second of her college experience. When she reminisces about being a Husky, what comes to mind is the community aspect.
“You’re a part of a different family. It’s not about one person, it’s about everyone succeeding together,” she explained. “You get this vibe when you walk into any of the athletics facilities that there’s no judgment. Everyone is there doing the same thing. I think being part of the Huskies is knowing you have another family to fall back on at any point, and you have that constant support.”
Girardo cannot believe how much her life changed from the single decision to go straight to George Brown out of high school.
“I grew a lot, I won’t lie. It helped me want to push myself to overcome certain things because you knew you always had support from anybody there. All that constant encouragement you got, you end up carrying it with you and using it for other people around you. You use it in the real world to encourage and push others,” she explained.
Her overall growth led her to being put in a leadership role not just with the team, but for all her fellow Huskies.
"I noticed it more when I left, but I didn’t realize how many people looked up to me and viewed me as a role model. I remember my last year, I had a conversation with our head coach, Tiger [Fitzpatrick], and he said to me, “you don’t realize how much you have helped this team grow,” she said. “I was used as an example to show others that yes, it’s a lot of work, but if you continue to push yourself and look for that support you will have it from any Husky in that department. He used me as an example for others, and that made me feel really good about myself.”
