California community colleges are a great deal

I am writing in regard to the California Voice commentary by Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine (“State’s community colleges deserve more support,” Nov. 19).

Remember that these educational opportunities extend to everyone, not just new high school graduates. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts after high school that ultimately did nothing to enhance my job prospects, I went back to college (West Valley Community College in Saratoga to study architecture) in my 30s. I did it again in my 50s (College of San Mateo) to study building science. In each case, it was the continuing education in my chosen career that was important — the application of this knowledge — not the pursuit of a degree.

In the case of young people coming out of high school, remember that not everyone is cut out for four years of college. Those who opt for a twoyear certification from a community college may well find themselves two years into a well-paying career while some of their peers are still piling on education debt.

At $46 per unit, California community colleges are the best deal going. Two of the best teachers I have ever known taught at West Valley, and another at San Mateo. You can’t get better training than that.

Even with the low cost of tuition, some students will need help to realize the goal of certification for a well-paying career. A modest donation to scholarship funds (most schools have a foundation that handles this) will be one of the best investments you can ever make. As our society grows ever more technologically complicated, we will need skilled technicians of all kinds to make it work at even the most basic level.

— David Hirzel, San Rafael