 
Community colleges throughout California – the largest educational system in the world – come from and are responsive to the communities in which they are located. Part of the mission of the college must be to give back.
Service learning and community involvement are two important ways that students can expand the lessons they learn in the classroom. Programs that encourage real-life training in community-based organizations are important for several reasons.
No matter how good the curricula at City College are, there are just some things that are better learned in field settings rather than in the classroom. It is vital, then, that the college partner with organizations and businesses that look are open to mentoring our students.
This real-world experience also serves another purpose. With 9,000 nonprofits in the Bay Area, job opportunities exist in organizations that are looking for talented, involved, and passionate community-minded employees. Getting a foot in the door through an internship, a service learning project, or as a volunteer could be a great way for City College students to find a career in public service. These career paths are ones that we should encourage.
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