Real Skills, Real Jobs: Real Success Stories from DVC Career Education

After devoting herself to raising her children as a full-time stay-at-home mom, Diana Hernandez enrolled at DVC..

“I was drawn to the college’s mission to inspire, educate and empower students to transform their lives and communities,” says Hernandez.

Hernandez had a deep passion for helping others and wanted to positively impact her community. She enrolled at DVC to pursue a career in healthcare; however, just after starting college, her mother passed.

“Grieving while keeping up with coursework was incredibly difficult. I was faced with two choices: Step away from school to mourn, or use my grief as motivation to keep going,” says Hernandez.

Knowing her mother always encouraged her to be strong, Hernandez chose to continue. She graduated from DVC in 2024 with certificates of achievement – community health worker and nutrition, health, and wellness.

Hernandez says the practical skills, hands-on experience, and personal growth she achieved during her time at DVC helped her feel confident and job-ready. “Hands-on learning is about connecting knowledge to real people and real situations. It made my education feel relevant and purposeful.”

Through the nutrition, health, and wellness program, Hernandez gained foundational knowledge about health promotion, disease prevention, and the role nutrition plays in overall well-being. She says the program helped her understand how to support individuals in making healthier lifestyle changes.

The community health worker program provided hands-on training and practical skills in communicating health information, connecting people to resources, and advocating for diverse communities. She credits her community health worker internship for enabling her to understand the challenges people face when accessing health services.

“I was able to work face-to-face with community members. I learned how to listen actively, respond compassionately, and think critically on my feet,” says Hernandez.

Today, Hernandez is a Bilingual Community Health Worker with Wider Circle, a neighborhood-based health organization dedicated to building stronger, healthier communities through social connection and preventative care. She applies her DVC training every day, helping to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for the communities she serves.

A Career Designed for Success

“I decided to enroll at DVC as a strategic choice – a launchpad to refine my skills and prepare a stronger design portfolio,” says Christy Hu.

Hu says that it was at DVC where she first learned the foundational principles of graphic design. She also completed many courses outside her core focus area, broadening her perspective.

Through connections made while at DVC, Hu completed an apprenticeship at BRIDGEGOOD, an organization that provides access to career training, technology, and creative opportunities for students and emerging creatives.

After earning her associate in arts in graphic design, Hu participated in additional internships and also transferred to ArtCenter College of Design for her bachelor of fine arts degree. She’s now a User Experience Interaction Designer at Google.

“DVC is brimming with resources designed to help you succeed, whether you’re looking to transfer or jumpstart your career. You can refine your skills, gain real-world experience, and build the foundation for a successful career,” says Hu.

Marketable Skills for In-Demand Careers

Career education focuses on skilled trades, applied arts and sciences, and cutting-edge technologies. These programs are tailored to enhance job skills and boost career marketability.

“California defines ‘career education’ as fields with one or more credentials that have labor-market value that can be earned in two years or less. Students can earn a certificate or associate degree and be very employable,” says Dr. Beth Arman, Senior Dean of Career and Community Partnership.

Arman says that career education students can transfer to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree, but a four-year degree isn’t necessary for them to get a job in their field.

Career education students engage in work-based learning opportunities on campus. They also have access to internships and jobs made possible through industry partnerships cultivated and nurtured by DVC’s faculty and Workforce Development staff. Students can also get college credit for their internships through DVC’s Work Experience (WRKX) classes.

Dr. Monica Chahal became DVC’s president in July 2025, bringing more than 30 years of experience in California’s community college system. She says she’s passionate about serving DVC students, the community, and regional partners.

“One of my priorities is ensuring educational pathways that lead to meaningful jobs with living wages, while also meeting local industry needs. Understanding and aligning needs on both sides will allow us to serve both effectively, as well as identify opportunities,” says Dr. Chahal.

According to DVC’s annual survey, 75% of DVC’s career education graduates are working in jobs that are relevant to their program of study. DVC alumni are sought-after by numerous employers throughout the region, including Tesla, BART, Google, John Muir Health, and local government, among many others.

For more information about career education at DVC, visit career education.

High-Wage Careers, No Bachelor’s Degree Required

DVC career education programs lead to outstanding opportunities in numerous fields, enabling students to gain immediate employment without transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree. Here are just some of the many roles available, depending on the program you choose.