By Selena Gonzales Lopez,
Staff Writer.
Deciding what to do after high school can be scary, but there is a safe path that can help you come closer to a decision. For a lot of students, Santa Rosa Junior College is the best choice for many reasons.
A primary reason why students prefer the JC over a four-year university is the cost. Since SRJC doesn’t have tuition for people from the Santa Rosa City Schools district, the only costs would be for books and other class materials, depending on what each class requires. It’s a substantially more affordable option when compared to a four-year university.
Even so, money isn’t the only reason students go to SRJC. The JC has programs that most universities don’t offer, especially in the industrial trade industry. For example, skills that are used in certain jobs that are centered in welding can be taught at the JC and not found easily anywhere else.
There’s also the Career Education Department, which focuses on job training for students who don’t want general classes and instead want to learn about their specific intended career path. If you’re unsure about what you want to do, SRJC offers flexible class pathways.
However, there are some misconceptions about the JC. Some think that going to the JC means two years there, then four more years later if you decide to transfer, which isn’t necessarily true. Others worry that college will be harder if they didn’t do as well as they wanted in high school, but SRJC is an alternative which helps students grow into their potential.
As College and Career counselor Tracy Batchelder explained, “I think a lot of students can do really well once they leave high school and get their feet under them at the JC.” Batchelder’s words show that many people are confident in the JC and trust that it can help students.
SRJC is still and will continue to be a beneficial place to go after high school, with strong programs, pathways for careers and many opportunities to learn and gain from. Students can start their academic journey with 100% accessibility, and without much worry about money. This makes the JC a valuable place where students can start to get higher education and have future careers.
