Chuck Robbins, Director of Economic Development at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), manages an excellent work experience program with approximately 2500 students enrolled per year. The program includes: Apprenticeships, Cooperative Work Experience, Community Involvement and Internships. He also directs other economic development activities, such as the Business Development Center and contract education.

Mr. Robbins works closely with Caroline Mercer, Manager of Career Development Services, to coordinate career development activities for the SRJC Work Experience Program. Students are required to write a report or complete a career activity or project for their work experience course.

Chuck: Why do you feel your partnership with the Career and Employment Center has worked so well?
"Caroline has an excellent Center with updated and varied resources. Both our Centers are closely located, so students have easy access to each Center. Also, the staff in each Center has the ability to communicate easily with each other."

Caroline: How is Chuck able to track the career activities within your services?
"Work Experience has developed a referral form. My staff and I sign off on the students’ activities and time within the Center."

Caroline: What benefit is gained through partnering with the Work Experience Program?
The partnership increases more career and educational exploration among the students, through activities in our Center.

Chuck: What other benefits do you see, while working with the Career Center?
"The Center refers work experience opportunities to our office. Students may also access information on jobs and internships through a job database; and obtain assistance with resume and interviewing techniques."

Chuck Robbins and Caroline Mercer both have leadership positions within the State.

Chuck is the Committee Coordinator for the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Statewide Committee for Work-based Learning and Employment Services.

Caroline is the Committee Co-Chair of the CCCCO
Statewide Career Development Advisory Committee.
For more information, click on the Work Experience
Website at www.santarosa.edu and the Career and Employment Center

Inserts:
CCCCO Work-based Learning and Employment Services Statewide Advisory Committee Website: www.calworkplace.org

CCCCO Career Development Statewide Advisory Committee Website:
www.cccareers.org

Click here for Referral Form