Corps to Career

Corps to Career Testimonials

"We consistently hear from businesses, nonprofits and local governments about the need to equip workers with modern skills and connect them to employers, and the California Service Corps and Corps to Career programs do just that."

-Governor Gavin Newsom

"While D.C. is firing, California is hiring — the CA Service Corps is bringing hope. In a time of real economic uncertainty, California is delivering opportunity. Because of the Corps to Career program…80% of our members are being placed in job pathways."

-Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer, GO-SERVE

"I have the pleasure of working with Janet every single day. I have seen the level of candidates that come through the Corps. AltaSea knows your value and your worth and we want to hire you. To any employers considering whether it's worthwhile to become an employer partner, it certainly is. Janet is such a critical member of our team and we can’t wait to find more Janets."

-Jade Clemons, Director,
Economic and Workforce Development, AltaSea

"I want to thank California Volunteers, California Corps and to all of the Corps to Career employer partners for all the opportunities you are creating. California is in very good hands. I am proud to share that in the last year we brought on board 16 Corps to Career alumni who came on board as tier-2 City Pathways interns, which has resulted in five of them gaining full-time employment."

-Ozzie Lopez, Director of L.A. City Pathways,
Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

"UNITE LA has proudly placed six corps members into earn and learn opportunities through our career pathways programs. Those include programs in growing sectors — health care, tech and clean tech. We have been really pleased with the support. The Corps members are clearly supported throughout their training with skills that align with employer needs."

-Alysia Bell, UNITE-LA President

"This is important — a partnership with our Governor and CA Service Corps to present opportunities to make a meaningful difference and really solve our challenges, too, because we want to recruit and retain the next qualified talented generation of public servants in CA. You are the pipeline. We are counting on you and future generations are following in your footsteps."

-Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson

"Because of College Corps, I gained skills and experiences that helped prepare me for the workforce. Since graduating last year, I have secured multiple certifications and career pathway placements through Corps to Career, including the opportunity to help my community during the recent L.A. fires."

-Rene Menchaca, College Corps, CSUDH ‘24

"Being a Corps to Career alumni and employer partner has been incredibly powerful - the support empowered me to develop skills and land a full-time job as Ocean Pathways Coordinator at AltaSea. In this role I get to give back - recruiting interns & hosting career fairs that open opportunities for other Service Corps members."

-Janet Parga, College Corps, CSUDH ‘24

"Corps to Career’s support system has been my backbone navigating career development, equipping me with all the tools necessary to find my passion in a career. And it works - my host site recently offered me a full time position and I am proud to say I am now the Programs Assistant at St. Francis Center."

-Diego Ramos Lopez, College Corps, CSULA ‘24

"A year ago was the launch of Corps to Career at AltaSea — and that was a game-changer for me! I got connections with employer partners and that changed the dynamics of the job search. Starting next week, I am going to be an Asst. Professor at Keck Medicine of USC. I could not have done this without what Corps to Career did for me — and we are here for the next generation of CA Service Corps members."

-Tara Pai, CCAC ‘24, USC Adjunct Assistant Professor,
Keck Hospital, USC and Chair of CCAC Alumni Board

"Before joining the CA Service Corps, I overcame homelessness, suffered from food insecurity, and even dropped out of school — but I never closed doors; I worked to open them. I applied to the Corps, which expanded my network, and helped me to find the career that I am going into — teaching. I got connected 3 Corps to Career employer partners on Campground, and got interviews with all three. I just found out I got a placement with the 25-26 Marshall Teacher Residency cohort. I am so excited to shape the minds of the next generation."

-Phoebe Esperanza, Youth Service Corps, Long Beach ‘24

"Corps to Career has supported my aspirations to become a physician's assistant by connecting me with the right opportunities. Thanks to the program, I knew exactly where I was headed right after college - UNITE LA's 'My Pathway to Health' career program."

-Karen Perez Fernandez, College Corps, CSULB ‘24

"Through Career Fair and the launch of Corps to Career last year, I connected with a USC rep who connected me to a grad student school portal which is what I used to get my 2 job, one at USC and one at Pasadena College as a Jobs Success Coach. It’s the connections that I made through Corps to Career that are why I still get sent potential jobs even a year later."

-Christian Contreras, College Corps, CPP ‘24

"Thanks to College Corps, I have been able to secure UCLA grad school with minimal debt - this is an incredible relief that allows me to fully focus on service-driven work."

-Jasmine Lopez, College Corps, UCLA ‘24

"Innovative public-private partnerships like Corps to Career are key to connecting a skilled workforce to employers hiring for good-paying jobs that can serve as the first stop on a successful career path."

– Wally Adeyemo, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury

"Young leaders are stepping up across California to confront climate change and other key challenges, catalyzed by Governor Newsom’s California Service Corps. [Corps to Career] expands this impact, by connecting these young leaders into impactful careers in public service. The future success of these leaders means a brighter future for everyone in California."

-Wade Crowfoot, CA Natural Resource Agency Secretary

"The California Dept of Education is proud to be an employer partner for Corps to Career. As California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I believe their 3,000 #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Fellows…are a critical pipeline to provide our students across California the diverse, talented educators and mental health school counselors they deserve."

-Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

"The Corps to Career formula of combining service members with networks, deep employer partnerships and career development training on soft skills that employers value has the potential to be a model for not only Los Angeles, but California and the nation."

Kelly Cheeseman, Chief Operating Officer, LA Kings and AEG Sports

"Look to these alumni for the future of your jobs and the positions that you have. Whether you're hiring now or planning for the future, these alumni bring purpose, passion, and professionalism to every role."

Anette Padilla, Sr. Director, Community Foundation & Social Impact, AEG

"On average per month, about 5,000 vacancies are posted on our website, and YOU are exactly what we need to fill those roles!"

Chris Dainard, Chief - Selection Division California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)

"Corps to Career was with me every step of the way. They helped me prep for interviews, put in references, and I connected with Marshall and the Mayor's office at the first Alumni Career Fair. Through staying connected with Corps to Career and using Campground, I not only got one job offer, I got two!"

Elsie Edmond, CCAC '25, Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity, City of Los Angeles

"Through the Corps to Career resources, I learned how to develop my resume, prepare for interviews, and professional networking—and it worked! It led me to get a job. Thanks to Corps to Career, you are now looking at the Student Success Coach for CalSoap LA!"

Nohelia Vega, College Corps '25 Student Success Coach, CalSoap LA

"We have been proud to incubate Corps to Career over the last 3 years. The State is planning to continue this work and scale it statewide starting next year!"

Sophia Garcia, Senior Director of External Affairs, Verizon & Local Engagement Chair California Volunteers Fund Board of Directors

"Thanks to the partnership, we were able to engage 60 (CA Service Corps) to support us in fire relief. And that truly was a testament to the quality of individuals who are engaged in this program. You will forever be a top priority at the LA Y!"

Victor Dominguez, CEO, YMCA LA

“I learned how to align my service experience with the skills employers are looking for. Through Campground, I connected with the LA Kings, who provided me with interview tips. That conversation boosted my confidence. Last Friday, I started my first day as a Community Engagement and Impact Team Member with the LA Clippers!”

Wendy Caldera, College Corps '25
Community Engagement and Impact Team Member, LA Clippers

“I applied for a cybersecurity position at Disneyland. Unfortunately, I was rejected. But I didn't let that stop me. I decided to push forward and get more certifications. The experience I gained with the City helped me earn that full-time position at Disney after I graduated.”

Zeki Kanlilar, Long Beach Service Corps '25
Cybersecurity Technical Specialist, The Walt Disney Company