DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE SUMMER/FALL 2021 • VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1
DVC Industry Partnerships Pave the Path from School to Work
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TECHNICAL THEATER: WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES CAN PUT YOUR CAREER CENTER-STAGE GROW YOUR HORTICULTURE CAREER AT DVC
LET YOUR CAREER TAKE FLIGHT WITH A CERTIFICATE IN DRONE TECHNOLOGY
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Contents
Questions about the Diablo Valley College programs and services described in this publication can be directed to DVC Workforce Development Office at 925-969-2267. For information about enrolling at DVC call Welcome Services at (925) 969-2106.
FEATURES
Connecting 8 Learning by Doing
Publisher..................................Diablo Valley College Editors........................Beth Arman, Chrisanne Knox Writer................................................. Jennifer Finetti Photography.... Scott Chernis & Sharrie Bettencourt
Education to Work
Visit us at: www.dvc.edu
PROGRAMS
Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board: John E. Márquez, Ward I Judy Walters, Ward II Rebecca Barrett, Ward III Andy Li, Ward IV Fernando Sandoval, Ward V Mansu Kim, Student Trustee
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DVC Industry Partnerships Pave the Path from School to Work
Chancellor: Bryan Reece, Ph.D. CareerFocus is published periodically by Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. All rights reserved. No part of the material printed may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without the permission of the publisher. This project was funded fully or in part by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), awarded to Diablo Valley College and administered by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. It is the policy of the Contra Costa Community College District and Diablo Valley College to provide an educational and employment environment in which no person shall be unlawfully subject to discrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, medical condition, ancestry, marital status or physical or mental disability or based on association with a person or group with one of more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Unlawful harassment, discrimination or denial of access of any employee/student with regard to ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability is strictly prohibited. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the College’s education programs. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures and requests for the elevation and addition of sports may be directed to the Diablo Valley College Vice President of Student Services (504, Title IX, Sexual Harassment; Title VI Coordinator and EEOC Officer) at 925-969-2005.
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Let Your Career Take Flight with a Certificate in Drone Technology
Theater: 5 Technical Working Behind the
Scenes Can Put Your Career Center-Stage
Thinking Leads 7 Design to Better Solutions for Today’s Technology Challenges
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CareerFocus I SUMMER/FALL 2021
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DVC Industry Partnerships Pave the Path from School to Work When deciding which college to attend, students typically focus on academics, campus culture, and budget. While this is a good strategy, it is also important to consider opportunities for internships, jobs, mentoring, and networking. Students attending DVC can check all of these boxes. DVC’s location is key in helping to forge partnerships with employers throughout the Bay Area. The DVC workforce development office and career education programs work closely with local employers to meet the needs of students and industries critical to the region’s success. “We recruit local Lisa Gwyn employers to be members of our advisory boards enabling them to give voice to their needs. They also offer guidance on trends and changes within their industry. Faculty use these insights to develop or update curriculum and equipment to ensure students learn the most up-to-date skills for their career paths,” said Lisa Gwyn, a senior program coordinator for workforce development at DVC. Industry partners also offer workbased learning opportunities to DVC students. “Employers develop internships and participate in career fairs. They also
present during in-class speaking events, as well as larger events, such as our ‘industry insights’ series. These opportunities enable employers to share what they are looking for in an employee. Students benefit by learning how to prepare for a career in their industry,” said Gwyn. Internships support handsQi Zhu on learning in DVC’s career education programs. These opportunities enable the student to apply the skills they have gained in a real-world setting. “Prior to the pandemic, the architecture program and workforce development office experimented with building multiple-tiered connections with our industry partner, DLR Group. Introductory level students attended a career talk at the DLR Group office. Selected qualified graduating students were able to apply for an internship with the DLR Group,” said Qi Zhu, an architect and professor for DVC’s architecture program. Zhu is grateful that DLR Group is offering a full-time paid internship opportunity to DVC architecture students this summer, despite the pandemic. “The Architecture, Construction and Engineering Club (ACE Club) also offers a spring lecture series featuring
local professionals discussing their career experiences and projects. Sometimes students land internships through this networking outreach,” said Zhu. While many architecture students transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree, Zhu reports that some students obtain their associate degree at DVC and then enter the job market. The networking, mentoring and internship programs at DVC are often instrumental in getting students connected to employment opportunities. “After graduating, students often work in the firm that they were connected to at DVC,” said Zhu. This summer, DVC will pilot something new - a career mentorship program. “We started this program to connect students with professionals who can be there for them as they explore their career path. Career mentors will support student professional development by being thought
Carlos Jimenez Industrial Design Carlos Jimenez participated in two DVC design competitions.
Jimenez won an award for best use of Autodesk’s software, Fusion 360. “My concept was an autonomous car that took the monotony out of the
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partners, providing insight, feedback, and encouragement,” said Gwyn. If you are an employer interested in developing an internship program or would like to present to our students or become a mentor, contact Lisa Gwyn at lgwyn@dvc.edu.
STUDENT SUCCESS
“For the Autodesk/Nissan USA competition, the prompt was to design what transportation would theoretically look like in the year 2030 if things were to become more automated,” said Jimenez.
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Jay Hoyer, now-retired CEO of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, speaking at a Business Administration advisory board meeting. Also pictured: faculty members Charlie Shi and Mariam Worsham; advisory board member and former chair Walter Brown, Jr. of WB Lending Solutions; and Senior Dean Beth Arman. Photo taken prior to the pandemic.
daily commute by turning the interior into a racing simulator while the car shuttled you home safely,” said Jimenez. Carlos Jimenez
Jimenez is proud to have earned two associate in science degrees from DVC, as well as a bachelor of science in industrial design from San Francisco State University in May 2021. “I’m currently working as an Engineering Intern for Benchmark Electronics in Concord. A lot of my
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Design Competition Presents Real-World Industrial Design Challenges For the last several years, DVC’s industrial design students have participated in an annual design competition. “A few years ago, we reached out to Autodesk to ask them to sponsor the event based around their advanced design and manufacturing software, Fusion 360. We also proposed leveraging this relationship with other leading companies who would provide our students with a design brief and then work with our students,” said Jeffrey Smith, professor and program lead for the industrial design and advanced manufacturing programs at DVC.
“Autodesk made DVC an official education partner and has sponsored our annual design challenges ever since. Participating companies include BOSE Audio, Nissan USA, Oru Kayak and Benchmark. And this year, the design challenge is being presented by Limar Italia, a high-end bicycle racing company based in Bergamo, Italy,” said Smith. For the Autodesk/Limar Italia design challenge, DVC students are working with Limar Italia’s design director, Eric Horton.
their final concepts and 3D printed helmets to judges in May. “This year’s judges include Autodesk’s educational team, Limar Italia’s design group from Italy, and Tom Matano, the famed designer of the Mazda Miata who is also the executive director of the Academy of Art School of Industrial Design,” said Smith. Horton feels that participating in the design challenge is valuable both personally and professionally.
“This year’s design challenge Eric Horton “I’ve seen the benefit kicked-off in February when that students get from exposure to DVC also suggested inviting local Horton revealed the project to industry professionals. It’s a great students from DVC, Academy of Art transfer colleges to participate each feeling to provide mentorship to University, California College of the year, enabling students to directly aspiring young designers. And it’s Arts and San Jose State University. connect with their prospective great for Limar Italia to gain visibility Autodesk has provided software transfer schools. in the industrial design community. training for our DVC has a tremendous industrial students, teaching design program led by an inspiring them how to model go-getter, Jeffrey Smith,” said Horton. bike helmets using Fusion 360,” said There are also specific advantages to Smith. serving as a corporate sponsor. DVC students “Consumers are paying attention to learned about the behavior of brands. I believe our Italian culture from customers would be excited to know the San Francisco that Limar Italia is focused not only Italian Consulate. on making great products but is also They also attended giving back to the community. It’s also a private tour of the velodrome racetrack valuable for us to see how the next generation of designers perceive our in San Jose. They brand and the categories in which we had a one-on-one are participating,” said Horton. mid-project review Limar Italia Design Director Eric Horton discusses the company’s with Horton as well. helmets with students participating in the 2021 design competition. While the competition presents an The presentation was held at Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose. Students presented example of a real-world challenge,
William E. Marriott Industrial Design
Carlos Jimenez’s winning concept in the Autodesk/Nissan USA design competition.
extracurricular time at DVC was spent in their machine shop where I was able to prototype a lot of my design ideas there, and get familiar with manufacturing tools, “ said Jimenez.
William E. Marriott was a working professional for many years but decided to pursue a career that better fit with his interests. He came to DVC William E.Marriott to study industrial design and participated in two design competitions. Marriott won the Best Fusion 360 Generative Design Award for
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Jeffrey Smith with an industrial design student. Photo was taken prior to the pandemic
the intention is not to necessarily create a product designed by a student. “The idea is to explore ‘blue sky concepts’ that aren’t burdened with the realities of helmet production. That said, if there are ideas with real merit, we are certainly open to exploring those ideas further and potentially providing opportunities to students involved,” said Horton. Smith is particularly proud of the number of students who have participated in the competition and then moved on to build careers due to their efforts. “Sometimes our students don’t win, but they end of getting amazing jobs based on their portfolios. Many DVC students have gone on to earn great jobs with the participating industry partners. We also have four past participants and current students working at Autodesk as student ambassadors, based entirely on the skills acquired from the competition,” said Smith. For more information about the DVC industrial design program, or to find out more about the annual design challenge, visit www.dvc.edu/industrial-design.
the Autodesk/Oru Kayak design competition. “We were asked to create an innovative add-on or attachment for their current product line. I created a portable water turbine with reverse flow converter and adapter to be used to generate electricity for battery storage or to be reversed allowing the turbine to be used as a trolling motor,” said Marriott. Participating in the competitions was invaluable for Marriott. “The competitions gave me motivation to succeed and rise
William E. Marriott’s winning concept in the Autodesk/Oru Kayak design competition.
above in a way standard class structures never seemed to do. I got to really think outside the box and do independent research and collaboration with fellow students,” said Marriott.
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Let Your Career Take Flight with a Certificate in Drone Technology If you’re looking for a career that will get you out of the office and out into the world, consider drone technology!
(FAA) Part 107 Drone Pilot License Exam required for commercial drone operations.
“We want the student experience to be enriching and educational. Drones are fun to fly! Students are able to fly advanced models with cutting-edge GPS and cameras. We emphasize mapping applications as it is one of the leading sub-sectors in this emerging industry,” said Jeffrey Miller, geography/unmanned aerial systems (UAS) professor.
Drone Technology at DVC
DVC initially developed a drone course as an elective within Geographic Information Systems/ Global Positioning Systems (GIS/ GPS) to introduce interested students to UAS technology. “We soon realized that with the growing number of drone-related applications, one drone course would not suffice,” said Michael Quinn, geography professor and drone certificate coordinator at DVC. DVC now offers two options for certificates in drone technology. Both certificates also prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration
DVC drone technology coursework covers UAS flight operations, safety procedures, data acquisition and processing. Certificate of accomplishment: • Complete two core courses in drone technology: GEOG 164 - Fundamentals of Drone Operation and Licensing GEOG 165 - Drone Remote Sensing
Certificate of achievement with specialization: • Complete the above core drone courses • Complete an additional six units from ONE of the following disciplines: administration of justice art digital media biology business and entrepreneurship environmental science geography and geospatial horticulture
Career Paths
Photo Credit: Reya Martin
The program at DVC prepares students to enter a myriad of fields that utilize drone technology. Although the certificate programs are
relatively new, students are already experiencing success. Several students have already passed the FAA drone pilot exam. “A certified drone pilot can work in marketing, public safety, utilities and infrastructure, engineering, architecture, geotechnical companies, or with a commercial drone services company,” said Quinn. For professionals looking for a way to enhance skills in a related field, drone technology offers many opportunities. “Flying a drone is the easy part. It’s the data acquisition and processing that sets our students apart. A biologist may hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, but the job description may call for extensive field work and mapping,” said Miller. Students studying business and entrepreneurship may also find interest in DVC’s drone technology program. “For drone technology, it might be wise to look at trends that push money into drones, such as fighting fires or crime. Understanding where the money comes from helps drone entrepreneurs decide what services to offer,” said Ryan Buckley, an entrepreneur and associate professor for business administration. Buckley is also the chair of the Diablo Valley Tech Initiative (DVTI), an organization that got its start within the DVC
business administration department’s advisory board. “DVTI is actively reaching out to drone company CEOs throughout the Bay Area and around the state. We’re telling them about the great opportunity to build drone businesses in the Diablo Valley. Contra Costa County has two countyowned airports at Byron Airport and Buchannan Fields. Both are permitted for certain types of unmanned aerial systems testing,” said Buckley.
Job Outlook “This is a growing industry. In the past, large companies were more likely to hire a small group of drone service providers. Now these companies have shifted to developing drone programs in-house, and they are looking to hire drone staff,” said Miller. Annual salary depends on experience and education level. According to Salary.com*, the salary range for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) pilot in California is anywhere from $45,048 to $124,669, with a median salary of $89,239. For more information about the drone technology program, visit www.dvc.edu/drone-technology. * Source: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/unmanned-aerial-vehicle-uav-pilot-salary/ca
STUDENT SUCCESS
Reya Martin
Martin highly recommends DVC’s drone technology program for students interested in this exciting field.
Drone Technology Reya Martin is currently pursuing a certificate of achievement in drone technology at DVC.
Reya Martin
“My main goal is to use my drone skills for wildlife conservation. The conservation sector already uses drones to help struggling species in the wild, and I aim to help in this regard,” said Martin.
Even though she won’t graduate until this spring, Martin already passed the FAA drone pilot exam. “The first drone class I took, GEOG 164, covered most of the information included on the FAA drone pilot exam. The class’s guidance and resources definitely helped me pass,” said Martin.
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“The program is excellent for those looking to complete the FAA pilot exam, add a new skill to their resume and/or learn about drones in general and their applications,” said Martin. Martin highly recommends DVC’s drone technology program for students interested in this exciting field. “In my opinion, the drone tech program is excellent for those looking to complete the FAA pilot exam, add a new skill to their resume and/or learn about drones in general and their applications. Drones have been, and still are, rapidly becoming a larger part of the workforce, so I believe it is both wise and practical to pursue the program,” said Martin.
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Cyrus Khambatta Drone Technology Cyrus Khambatta was introduced to drone technology through his enrollment in DVC’s Geographic Information Systems/Global Positioning Systems (GIS/GPS) program. “The remote sensing class piqued my interest. When DVC offered a program that was focused on preparing you to become a successful drone pilot, I knew I had to enroll,” said Khambatta. Khambatta has completed several programs at DVC. He has earned associate in science Cyrus Khambatta degrees in environmental science, computer science and GIS/GPS. This year, he completed a certificate of achievement in drone technology. These programs have been invaluable and have made a difference in his career. “I am a Geospatial Technician at GeoWing Mapping Inc. I process light detection and ranging data and annotate and mark high resolution maps of proposed projects. The drone technology program helped me get my Part 107 UAV commercial pilot’s license,” said Khambatta.
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Technical Theater
STUDENT SUCCESS
Working Behind the Scenes Can Put Your Career Center-Stage The theater often attracts those with a passion for performing. But pull back the curtain, and you’ll see it is the technicians working behind the scenes who bring a show together. A career in technical theater is ideal for creative problem-solvers. The DVC drama program prepares students for all aspects of a production. Students take classes in lighting design, stage makeup, technical theater, technical theater lab and more. “We typically produce four shows each year. Students have many chances to gain practical experience in their craft,” said Hess-Diestler. Hess-Diestler and the rest of the DVC theater faculty encountered large challenges of their own resulting from the pandemic. “Typically, technical theater students work in our labs, building set pieces for our live productions. This not only builds Nicole Hess-Diestler skills, but also provides them with a sense of pride. Due to COVID-19, we had to come up with strategies that would still enable students to learn necessary skills, while also building that same sense of pride in their work,” said Hess-Diestler. The theater faculty worked closely together to develop a workable plan, with the understanding that funding would be critical to their success. “We created a hybrid program that enabled masked students to come to campus in small, sociallydistanced groups. They received safety training and other instruction during these classes, as well as additional instruction over Zoom and through faculty-created videos. The Workforce Development Office provided funds through the state’s Strong Workforce Program. These were used to purchase lab equipment, as well as tools and sewing machines that students could borrow and use in their homes. In the fall, toolkits enabled students to build mini projects at home - theater flats, rehearsal blocks, etc. These pieces could then be used in our productions going forward. And this semester,
the sewing machines are being used to create costumes for our current productions,” said Hess-Diestler. During spring 2021, DVC produced three shows. [Dreamer] Project: An Undocuplay and the musical Head Over Heels were both shot and live-streamed for home audiences. The Book of Will was performed outside, presented in front of a small, socially-distanced live audience. The performance was also shot and livestreamed for home audiences. Theater students shot and edited the footage, providing another opportunity for learning and skill development that can be leveraged as they enter the job market. “This fall, we will be producing two plays, followed by a musical in the spring. It is our intention and plan for the shows to be performed indoors with live audiences, assuming that County health guidelines support that,” said Hess-Diestler. Hess-Diestler is excited about what lies ahead for DVC technical theater students. “I’m currently developing proposals for new certificates that will feature both theater classes and classes from other relevant disciplines, such as business, music industry studies, and more. The proposed certificates will be in properties design, stage management and sound design,” said Hess-Diestler. She is also very grateful for the funding provided by the workforce development team, noting that there would have not been a way forward without that support. “The toolkits and sewing machines will be so useful going forward, even after the pandemic is behind us. We can also serve students more flexibly, meeting the needs of students with special circumstances. It will help us with equity and access,” said Hess-Diestler. Once large live events and conferences become possible, DVC
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technical theater students will also be able to compete in annual festivals, as they have done in the years prior to the pandemic. These festivals enable students to gain feedback while also planning for their future. “Many of our students transfer through the relationships they create at these events. We’ve had students transfer to Yale, UCLA, NYU, Southern Oregon University, UC Berkeley, Savannah Institute of the Arts, Columbia and more,” said Hess-Diestler. Former DVC students enjoy great success. Many are working on national tours, at regional theaters and theme parks. Others have built careers in television and film. “Former students have been hired at Disney, Lesher Center for the Arts, California Shakespeare Festival (Cal Shakes), the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and El Campanil Theatre. Many are freelance lighting designers, sound designers, scenic designers. Some have worked on Broadway and off-Broadway productions,” said Hess-Diestler. For more information about the DVC drama program, visit www.dvc.edu/drama. Degree and certificate options • Associate in arts in theater arts for transfer • Associate in arts in technical theater • Certificate of achievement in technical theater • New certificate programs in properties design, stage management and sound design are anticipated for fall 2022 Career options in technical theater • Set designer • Makeup artist • Lighting designer • Stage manager • Scenic artist • Set builder • Stage technician • Sound technician • Prop maker • Costume designer
Sarah Spero
Sarah Spero Technical theater Sarah Spero was an active participant in DVC’s technical theater program in 2007 2009. The hands-on learning opportunities played an important role in her future success. “While working on DVC shows, I rotated through several different technical theater positions. I was a makeup artist, master electrician, props master, scenic painter, assistant stage manager, and stage manager. I was also on the costume crew and backstage crew,” said Spero. She also participated in Summer Repertory Theater (SRT) in Santa Rosa in 2008. She followed that with a props internship at the California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) in 2009. “After leaving DVC, I worked for seven seasons as a member of the props department at Cal Shakes, eventually running the department for two seasons. I also was involved in props for Town Hall Theater, Berkeley Rep, Marin Theater, ACT Conservatory, and many others,” said Spero. Spero credits her time at DVC for helping her to develop the skills and networking opportunities that made her theater career possible. “These hands-on experiences were invaluable to me. I went on to work in the Bay Area theater scene for nearly ten years. I would not have had the experience or opportunity to do so if not for DVC,” said Spero.
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Grow Your Horticulture Career at DVC Although DVC’s horticulture program took root over 40 years ago, recent program updates and changes have spurred new growth. “Many students who take horticulture classes plan on going into their own business. We also have many students who go on to complete a bachelor’s degree,” said Bethallyn Black, lead faculty for the horticulture and plant science program at DVC.
Bethallyn Black with horticulture students. Photo taken prior to the pandemic.
Horticulture at DVC The horticulture program covers basic botany, plant identification, pruning practices, pest management, landscape design, soil and water management, greenhouse management, and more. Students obtain hands-on experience in lab classes. They also tend the DVC garden and participate in annual plant sales. The program prepares students for several state licenses and industry certificates. Options include landscape contractor, pest control operator, nursery person, arborist, landscape technician, maintenance technician, and irrigation designer.
Degrees and certificates Horticulture students can complete an associate in science for transfer or select from a range of certificate programs.
We expect they will be available in fall 2021 or spring 2022,” said Black. Degrees • Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer Certificates of achievement • Arboriculture • Landscape Design • Nursery and Greenhouse Management • Plant Science and Horticulture • Arboriculture Entrepreneurship coming soon • Nursery and Greenhouse Entrepreneurship - coming soon • Landscape Design Entrepreneurship - coming soon • Master Grower - coming soon Certificates of accomplishment • Tree Technician • Landscape Design Fundamentals • Nursery Technician • Horticulture Technician
Cannabis cultivation “Interest in growing cannabis has long been a driver for some students attending our classes. Legalization has brought renewed interest from persons wanting to grow plants for their own use. That said, we have about as many students interested in growing their own food as are interested in growing their own medicine,” said Black. DVC’s controlled environment class discusses hydroponic systems for growing plants. This is a method often used for growing edible plants as well as for indoor cannabis farming. Because DVC is a drug-free campus, and cannabis remains classified as a Schedule 1 drug, the plants raised on campus for this class are basil and microgreens. “We are also developing a class about cannabis cultivation that
“New certificates of achievement combining horticulture and business skills are currently in development.
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STUDENT SUCCESS
Donna Petralia Horticulture Program
focuses on hemp. Hemp is the same plant as cannabis, but without the psychoactive component. The growing conditions are identical,” said Black.
Facility Upgrades Over the past year, several facility updates were made through a Strong Workforce Program Grant from the state. “We replaced the glazing panels for our greenhouses. Vents were installed allowing for passive summer cooling. We are thrilled to have more light and better air control! We are also reviewing drainage issues with our concrete flooring. It is hoped that project will be completed this summer,” said Black. Horticulture lecture classes have been held online due to COVID-19; however, students in lab classes have been able to enjoy on-campus learning during the pandemic. “Our program has been able to continue thanks to our labs, held outdoors or in the greenhouses with fans, social distancing, and masks,” said Black.
Job outlook Career paths for students who complete certificates include: • Nursery and greenhouse manager • Nursery employee • Arborist • Landscape designer • Irrigation technician • Pest management specialist • Gardener • Farmer • Master grower • Agribusiness owner/entrepreneur Opportunities vary widely, with wages ranging from minimum wage up to $30 an hour or more. With completion of a bachelor’s degree, additional opportunities with well-paying wages can be found in soil management, agriculture, genetics, viticulture, conservation, and more. For more information about the DVC horticulture program, visit www.dvc.edu/horticulture.
Donna Petralia enrolled in the DVC horticulture program later in life, after raising children and building a construction Donna Petralia service business. “I moved to the East Bay to be closer to my grandchildren and quickly got a job as a business office manager. It was a good job, but I yearned for something more. I enrolled at DVC to fulfill my passion for growing things and to learn more about sustainable living. The horticulture program gave me an opportunity to connect with students and staff who share my passions,” said Petralia. Petralia has been quite busy since enrolling in the program. She has earned seven horticulture certificates, and will complete her associate in science in environmental science in fall 2021. She’s also been applying her new-found skills on the job at Gardener’s Guild. “The position required the business skills I possessed, the ability to work with vendors, and some plant knowledge. I moved up to a management position utilizing the knowledge I gained from the horticulture program,” said Petralia. During her tenure at Gardener’s Guild, Petralia has been able to expand her role to include plant identification, pest management, garden design, plant health care, pruning, and more. “I also resurrected our internship program and have managed DVC interns. I am also active in recruiting, attending job fairs, trade shows, and have a role on our company board of directors. I’m also a member of the DVC horticulture department advisory board,” said Petralia. Petralia highly recommends the DVC horticulture program to students with passions similar to hers. “I have seen many fellow students from different paths come to horticulture and not only blossom, but thrive. There is something really special here that promotes growth (horticulture puns intended),” said Petralia.
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Design Thinking
Leads to Better Solutions for Today’s Technology Challenges DVC provides many ways for students to respond to real-world challenges. But to develop an effective solution, students need to understand how to approach a complex problem. This is where design thinking comes in.
“Design Thinking is an iterative approach to solving a problem. It’s figuring out the job to be done, by looking beyond ourselves. It’s about understanding who you’re designing for, and how that design is going to touch their lives,” said Allan Sahagun.
What is Design Thinking?
Aaron Sahagun concurs, noting “Design thinking helps tech professionals think about solving very challenging problems in a non-linear way.”
According to the Interaction Design Foundation, design thinking helps teams “understand users, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and create innovative solutions.” Designers speak with customers multiple times to get input and test ideas before creating a final product or service. Students entering the job market need to be prepared to apply these principles on-the-job. “We need to expose DVC students to current practices like design thinking. That will make our students more marketable,” said Mario Tejada Jr., Computer Information Systems (CIS) instructor at DVC.
Mario Tejada Jr.
Allan Sahagun of KYOCERA discusses the ideation process during the Design Thinking Lecture Series.
DVC’s Art Digital Media, Business and CIS Departments worked with KYOCERA and the Workforce Development Office to explore several ideas, including the development of the lecture series. Lecture topics included: • Heart and Pulse: Designing for Living People • Empathy: Setting Your Designs Up for Success • Ideation: Going Further, Together The lectures were led by Allan Sahagun, head of KYOCERA’s user experience and product management department.
The Design Thinking Lecture Series The DVC Workforce Development Office partnered with Allan and Aaron Sahagun of KYOCERA to develop and produce a virtual Design Thinking Lecture Series to support students. “We got involved because KYOCERA is partnered with DVC on the upcoming agile project management course this fall. Agile project management is now the standard for software project management,” said Aaron Sahagun, head of the technical program management office at KYOCERA.
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Today’s students need to be able to understand and apply these concepts in their work setting. “Our students will one day work in agile teams employing design thinking strategies to solve human-centered design problems. Aaron Sahagun Providing exposure to brilliant professionals like Allan and Aaron Sahagun gives students a glimpse into their future,” said Troy Bennett, professor of interaction design and department chair for Media Studies at DVC. Bennett felt the lectures helped students see connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences. “They found it eye-opening to learn how creative ideas can be mined through a systemic process rather than divine inspiration,” said Bennett. Allan Sahagun enjoyed being able to connect and Troy Bennett share his expertise with students. “This experience, above all else, really pushed me to not only explain, but also reason out, why an iterative approach to problem-solving is so valuable.”
Employer Partner Success Kyocera DVC’s partnership with KYOCERA has been invaluable, offering several careerbuilding opportunities for students. “KYOCERA has been partnering with DVC for over a year now. I am Allan Sahagun a member of the advisory board for the Art Digital Media Department, and I also was the speaker for the Design Thinking Lecture Series,” said Allan Sahagun, head of the user experience and product management department for KYOCERA. “We’ve worked with KYOCERA on a fall symposium, workshops, and course curriculum. KYOCERA employees have volunteered to be mentors and judges for our Business program’s Piranha Pool competition, advisory board members, and mentors for our new Career Mentorship Lisa Gwyn Program,” said Lisa Gwyn, senior program coordinator for workforce development at DVC. Aaron Sahagun feels the partnership has been helpful to KYOCERA as well. “We benefit from partnering with DVC because DVC has very brilliant minds in both the business space and engineering space,” said Sahagun.
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Learning by Doing Connecting Education to Work Some students are visual learners, while others learn best by listening. Many students prefer to learn by doing. This hands-on approach is referred to as experiential learning. DVC career education programs integrate hands-on learning right in the classroom. Students also have many options to learn in a work setting. This is referred to as workbased learning. During the pandemic, some DVC faculty had to get creative, offering virtual experiential learning rather than in-person opportunities. But with a greater number of classes being held on-campus in fall 2021, students will be able to enjoy the hands-on experiences they have become accustomed to at DVC. Experiential learning and workbased learning benefit both students and employers. In fact, the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2017 Survey indicates that 91 percent of employers prefer applicants who have work experience. Over 65 percent of employers surveyed prefer the work experience be job-related.
The new world of work In 2012, the California Community College system developed New World of Work (NWoW) learning modules focused on the “soft skill” content needed for job success. The skills include: • Adaptability • Analysis/solution mindset • Collaboration • Digital fluency • Entrepreneurial mindset • Empathy • Resilience • Self-awareness • Social/diversity awareness
program coordinator for workforce development at DVC. DVC classes ensure students have the technical and soft skills needed for success. This supports and enhances hands-on learning. “The modules enable students to practice soft skills in a work-based learning setting,” said Greenberg.
• Work experience education (WRKX): WRKX classes enable students to earn credit for learning that takes place at a job site. Students working at least 10 hours per week at a job or internship are eligible.
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Benefits Hands-on learning enables students to create meaning from their classroom experience. Material taught by lecture or textbook takes on new life when applied in a realworld setting. Students also gain soft skills that help them become valued employees.
• Discover what you love. Go out into the world and find a setting you think you would like to work in.
DVC offers many options for students to learn by doing: • Career education programs: Students enrolled in a career education program are likely to be engaged in hands-on learning both inside and beyond the classroom. Options include programs in art, business, construction, design, education, engineering, information technology, and health careers. Many transfer programs in the arts and sciences also involve hands-on learning.
are able to obtain a part-time oncampus job to help pay for college. Some students are able to find a job that involves skills related to their academic program.
Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, encourages students to learn by doing:
Learn by doing at DVC
“These skills are needed for both school and work. Yet employers report these skills are often lacking in workers and job applicants,” said Marisa Greenberg, senior
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• Work-based learning: Many DVC academic programs offer an internship. Kinesiology students can intern on-campus in the athletic training clinic or fitness center. Dental students complete externships in off-campus clinical settings. Students enrolled in the early childhood education program can work at the DVC Children’s Center or off-campus at a daycare or preschool.
• Project-based learning: Students can engage in projects throughout their time at DVC. For example, business students can participate in a business plan competition. Culinary students can work in the Express Bar and Norseman Restaurant. On-campus sales enable horticulture students to sell plants, while art students can profit by selling their creations. Technical theater students hold crew positions for DVC productions. Allied health students visit local health care centers and can compete at a state conference. • Year Up: Students enrolled in DVC’s Year Up program spend one term on campus taking classes in information technology or project management. Students intern with a Year Up partner company in their second term. Partners include Salesforce, Twitter, GE Digital, Workday, Bank of the West and more.
• Take a risk. Try something new. Experience success and failure. • Learn how to talk about your skills. How can you apply what you’ve learned to other settings? Practice talking about your skills and experience to prepare for job interviews. By following this advice, you’ll enjoy an enhanced learning experience while also ensuring you are job-ready. For more information, visit https://www.dvc.edu/academics/ career-education/students.html. Sources: https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/ candidate-selection/employers-prefer-candidates-with-work-experience/
• Federal work study: Students who qualify for federal work study
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Interest Areas ARTS Architecture Art Art Digital Media Art History Culinary Arts Dance Drama Film, TV & Electronic Media Humanities Music Music Industry Philosophy
COMMUNICATION Communication Studies Journalism Library Technology Film, TV & Electronic Media
BUSINESS Accounting Business Digital Marketing Economics Entrepreneurship Management Marketing Real Estate
COMPUTER SCIENCE Art Digital Media Computer Information Systems Computer Network Technology Computer Science GIS/GPS Library Technology Music Industry
CULINARY ARTS Culinary Arts
CONSTRUCTION Apprenticeship
ENGINEERING Computer Science Engineering Engineering Technology
DESIGN Architecture Industrial Design
HVACR Plumbing Steamfitting
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Construction Electrical and Electronics Technology Energy Systems
Arts, Language and Communication
LANGUAGE English Literature Creative Writing
English as a Second Language World Languages and Cultures: Arabic Mandarin Chinese French Persian German Portuguese Italian Russian Japanese Sign Language (ASL) Spanish
Drafting Mechanical Technology Industrial Technology
“I am interested in communication or creative expression.”
Business, Computer Science, and Culinary Arts
I am interested in new technology, business or economics.”
Math and Engineering
MATH Math “I am interested in math, design or building.”
HEALTH AND WELLNESS Addiction Studies Allied Health Athletic Training/Sports Medicine Coaching Culinary Arts Dental Assisting Dental Hygiene Fitness Instruction/Personal Training
Health Science Kinesiology Nutrition Psychology Respiratory Therapy
EDUCATION Counseling and Career Early Childhood Education Education Special Education
HUMAN BEHAVIOR Addiction Studies Administration of Justice Anthropology Economics Health Science History Humanities Journalism
LIFE SCIENCE Biological Science Environmental Science Horticulture Oceanography
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE Astronomy Chemistry Engineering Geography
Science and Health
Drone Technology GIS/GPS
Geology Oceanography Physics
Nutrition Philosophy Political Science Psychology Sociology Social Justice
“I am interested in understanding the natural world or improving people’s health.”
Social Sciences
“I am interested in people and their societies.”
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STEPS to ENROLL Visit: www.dvc.edu/apply
step 1
step 2
step 3
Apply for admission and financial aid
Complete the online orientation
Determine your placement in English/ESL and math
step 4
step 5
Receive academic advising
Register for classes
Apply today! Diablo Valley College offers over 65 career education programs that prepare students with job-ready skills leading to employment, higher wages, and career advancement.
Pleasant Hill Campus 321 Golf Club Road Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 925-685-1230
San Ramon Campus 1690 Watermill Road San Ramon, CA 94582 925-866-1822
