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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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