SBCC Students Enter the New School Year With Many Options to Meet the Job Market

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - As they begin their community college education, some students at Santa Barbara City College are getting many new options to navigate their future.

They are hitting the ground with a plan and if they are uncertain, there are many resources from student clubs to tutoring.

Student Trustee Solea Heredia was at the information table and said, "everyone is a little bit lost on the first day and that is why we are here."

She answered questions and even walked some students to their classes to talk about a successful start to their education at SBCC.

The school is ready if students feel the studying is overwhelming.

"Oh my goodness. Our tutoring programming here on campus here is amazing. I have tutored a few classes myself in the biology department. I have attended tutoring for almost every single class I have attended," said Heredia.

One local high school student now starting at SBCC said, "we are already meeting a lot of new people and people are very welcoming here," said Brianna Ramirez. Her first teacher was very welcoming,  "I was scared that teachers were not going to be very understanding and college was going to be more independent, but he seems to be very understanding and I am thankful for that. "

Local high school students are getting the first two years through the Promise Program, which covers books and tuition. That takes the financial burden away for the student or their family.

SBCC President Dr.  Erika Endrijonas said, "we also help them make better financial choices going forward because they don't have to carry debt for the first two years of their education."

A student hoping to learn marketing and possible start his own business.

Andres Razo said the financial help will make a difference, "I was a little worried but I was surprised that I actually got it because I was able to purchase my stuff at the store."

For those who are on campus for the first time there is a new app, that will not only show them where their classes are, but also help them join clubs and attend events. Neo Quad is now just at Santa Barbara City College but the inventors how to take it to multiple schools.

SBCC Communications Director Jorden Killabrew, "our campus could be a little difficult to find things and students can just type in a course or a class they are looking for and it will take them right there."

Ervin Young is one of the inventors of NeoQuad, "and from many many students we have heard that they just blossomed when they discovered their first club and made their friends and that is something that we want to inspire students to do. "

Using the app, you can not only locate where you want to go, but it will show a route and the time it will take, similar to what you can do with driving.  In this case it is for walking across the campus.

Going forward SBCC leaders say as the job market may change, the students can pivot for new positions.

Dr. Endrijonas said, "think about other types so that you are more of a contingency planner. If one avenue doesn't work out another one will probably work out for you. "

She also says the school has many classes for adults who are returning to pivot in their careers, or learn new skills to advance either in the work place or just for their hobbies.   

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