CSU Bakersfield student says College Corps made college affordable and provided job skills

College Corps students at California State University, Bakersfield earn money for their education while serving local organizations in areas such as education, environmental projects and food insecurity, a presenter said.

Joy, a student at California State University, Bakersfield, said the program made college more affordable and gave her hands-on experience outside the classroom. “It was a way for college to be more affordable, and it was a way to get hands-on experience outside of the classroom while at the same time being able to come to school,” she said, adding that schedule flexibility was important: “They know your schedule, so they're very flexible, which I loved as well, too.”

The presenter identified Joy as working with Okihi White Wolf Wellness, where she tends a native garden. According to the presenter, students work in a range of fields including education, environmental projects and efforts to address food insecurity.

As an agriculture business major, Joy said the program was “the perfect first step” toward launching her career. “I am now able to confidently say that I want to own my own farm, and I have what it takes to do those things,” she said, adding that the experience built both practical skills and personal confidence.

The transcript does not specify program funding amounts, eligibility criteria, or whether the positions are paid by the university, a state program, or nonprofit partners. The presenter summarized participating placements but did not name additional partner organizations beyond Okihi White Wolf Wellness.

The College Corps program at CSU Bakersfield connects students with community service placements while offsetting some college costs; the next steps for students or the program were not specified in the transcript.