There are so many reasons I loved attending West Valley College. The first is the faculty. They are very qualified, knowledgeable and superb. They know what’s important to learn and give assignments that are interesting and productive. My history instructor, Steve Juarez, taught in a way that was unconventional and captivating. I really enjoyed his class.

My counselors from Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) helped me setup my transfer agreement with U.C. Irvine. EOPS also offers financial assistance, a quiet study area and the people there are very friendly. By meeting the course and grade requirements in the agreement I was guaranteed a spot and last year I successfully transferred to U.C. Irvine. We are on the quarter system so the classes and assignments come quickly. The study methods and work ethic I developed at West Valley have helped me adapt to a four-year university environment.

Higher education is helping me become the professional I want to be. It's the best investment one can make. Just do it! Go to college!

What Jena Perry is most passionate about is making people look their best. Having spent most of her career life in the aesthetics and beauty industry, she's developed a lot of expertise in doing just that. Her career began as a make-up artist in the cosmetics department of a larger retailer. As she grew in her knowledge and skills, Jena was promoted to manager, free-lanced and did outside sales. Although she was very successful, her ultimate dream was to own her own studio.

Through the encouragement of her husband, she began taking business classes at West Valley College to learn about the nuts and bolts of running a business. In her words, "What I learned through the Business Program at West Valley College, I could never have learned just by reading a book. In Heidi Diamond's class we learned how to write a business plan. Later on, the business plan I wrote in class became instrumental in getting the funding I needed to open my studio. We have grown substantially every year since we opened our doors. Our services have expanded almost as rapidly as our clientele. We do weddings, photo-shoots, corporate video, commercials and television work. We get assignments all over the South Bay and beyond. I am doing what I love. It's exciting to go to work each day."

Jena encourages anyone with a dream to "just do it," but learn about the business side of that dream first. To check out Lux Image Agency online, go to: www.luxagency.net

A few years ago, I was working in the field of direct-mail marketing. Although I was earning a decent paycheck, it wasn't really what I wanted to do. What I really wanted to do was work in the outdoors and decided to make that wish become a reality.

After researching a number of options, I enrolled in the Park Management Program at West Valley College. From the start, the experience was positive. The classes were "hands-on" and we received solid training in every aspect of the work we'd be doing. It was also a great social experience. You get to know the instructors and students in the program very well. It's a very supportive environment. Many of the students get a park-related job before they even graduate. That was my situation. I did my internship with Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and ended up getting hired.

I have dream job. I work outside, the tasks are varied and the work is always interesting. What we do benefits the local community in a big way. We acquire, preserve and protect open spaces of land within Santa Clara County, study and monitor changes in local animal and plant life, lead hikes, give educational talks, and do a lot of other things. I'd recommend the Park Management Program to anyone who wants a meaningful job and loves the outdoors.

After working in the fashion industry for a number of years, Urmi Pande wanted to try something different. She choose the Medical Assisting Program due to the high demand for Medical Assistants and because it fit closely with her desire to help people.

Urmi currently serves as Health Coordinator for six Johnson and Johnson divisions including LifeScan, Animas, Baby Center, Nitinol Devices and Components, DePuy Spine and AMV. She sees to it that 750+ employees remain as healthy as possible. Urmi manages the on-site clinic where services such as emergency first-aid, drug testing, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol screening, nutritional, wellness and fitness information are provided. She finds her job to be very rewarding and credits her successful career transition to her instructors at West Valley College: "I lacked a science background and wasn't sure if I could succeed in the program. My teachers, Kris Gaiero and Faraneh Javan, had great confidence in me. I was able complete the program with top grades and then got a great job. The quality of instruction in the Health Care Technologies Program is exceptional and graduates of the program have no trouble finding employment."

Urmi recently received a promotion and tentatively plans to pursue a graduate degree in the field of Health Care Administration.