--- title: "Franchisee Voices: Candice DeVane of Sylvan Learning" url: https://burnaze.com/article/c257fd71-e5cf-44b8-80d3-14fc75c3ce98 source: "1851 Franchise" original_url: https://1851franchise.com/franchisee-voices-candice-devane-of-sylvan-learning-8249 category: "Tutoring" industry: "Education & Childcare" segment: "Tutoring" published: 2016-12-08T21:16:01.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T03:15:05.150Z image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/118aa3a100616c6827745766d52ab7f31336.jpg --- # Franchisee Voices: Candice DeVane of Sylvan Learning **TL;DR:** Candice DeVane, a former regulatory engineer, became a Sylvan Learning franchisee in San Diego after being drawn to the brand's STEM program and personalized learning plans. She plans to expand her business in the future to provide more convenient locations for her clients. *originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2016-12-08. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/franchisee-voices-candice-devane-of-sylvan-learning-8249).* ## Story Candice DeVane was working as a regulatory engineer when she realized her heart wasn’t in it. She was more interested in teaching those pursuing engineering. She picked up her things and traveled across the country to San Diego, specifically Chula Vista. After much soul-searching, Candice found Sylvan Learning , who’s STEM program hit close to home with their emphasis on engineering. I was working as a regulatory engineer for a satellite communications company, and after getting my MBA, I was promoted to a manager position about six months ago. I got this position and realized I didn’t love what I was doing. It wasn’t fulfilling, and I felt like I was just going through the motions. I needed a change. My husband and I decided to relocate across the country to San Diego, California. As I was applying for jobs in engineering in San Diego, I realized none of the job descriptions appealed to me. After much soul-searching, I decided to look at ways I could pursue tutoring as a full-time career, which I had been doing part-time through my church. I researched a number of different education franchises and decided on Sylvan because of its personalized learning plans, focus on STEM education, and integration of technology in its service offerings. To me, the Sylvan brand represents quality supplemental education that works with students to help them achieve academically and be their best selves. When I reached out to Sylvan, the Franchise Development representative told me that a franchisee in San Diego wanted to sell. I contacted the franchisee and after just a few months, we started the transfer process! I chose Sylvan because of their wide range of ages they support. I like working with the older students just as much as the younger ones. I liked that they offered SAT/ACT tutoring, and the integration with technology that allows for interactive learning. Their focus on the STEM programs is close to my heart with where my passion lies. Engineering hit close to home and I believe it is important to be exposed to these areas. I was lucky to have had early exposure to STEM subjects, but not all kids get this opportunity. They need to learn STEM subjects can be fun! The reason I chose franchising was because they have a business model and the support that franchising allows. With a network of people, corporate support, I have a lot of resources that I can depend on. I would like to develop further in the future. I figured I will start with one center to get my feet wet and learn about the business, then I would like to expand. A lot of our families are traveling a long ways to get to this center and I would like to expand so they will have closer locations. Visit the International Franchise Association’s @OurFranchise website for more stories of passionate local franchise owners, employees and their communities. ## Entities - 1851 Franchise (publication) - franchise development (topic) - Education & Childcare (sector) - Sylvan Learning (company) - International Franchise Association (company) - franchisee story (topic) - business expansion (topic) - San Diego (location) - stem education (topic) --- Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/franchisee-voices-candice-devane-of-sylvan-learning-8249). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/c257fd71-e5cf-44b8-80d3-14fc75c3ce98).