Building a Better Future Despite the Odds: Unstoppable DVC Students

Jun 26, 2023

“Growing up in a single-parent home, I often felt the sting of economic uncertainty. Watching my mother struggle financially and my father struggle with past addiction, I knew I had to find a long-term career. I thought that would be the Army until I became ill and was honorably discharged due to my heart condition. I came up with a new plan and got to work,” said Adrienne Navarro, who completed her associate in science in allied health at DVC.

After additional training, Navarro built a 10-year career as a licensed vocational nurse but wanted to continue her education to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and become a registered nurse to create a better quality of life for her family.

“I never wanted my family to wonder if we could cover the bills like I did when I was growing up. I needed a career that would allow me to be indispensable,” said Navarro.

Navarro used her education benefits through the GI Bill to return to college, with the help of the DVC Student Veterans Resource Center. She also accessed childcare for her son through the DVC children’s center. She admits there were times when she questioned her decision, such as when she had to pump breastmilk in the college bathroom (before there were dedicated lactation rooms), or when she studied for an exam using the light of her laptop to avoid waking her son.

“But it was also in those moments that I knew I wasn’t doing this for me, it was for him,” said Navarro.

Building a career for now, and for the future

Since graduating from DVC, Navarro has accomplished far more than she initially planned. She transferred to Duke University and completed her BSN, and then became a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner (NP). And this fall, Navarro will continue at Duke University to complete her doctor of nursing practice (DNP).

Navarro understands from her own experience that taking steps to make a major life change can be daunting. But she encourages others to face those challenges head-on.

“You can do hard things. There will be times you are scared, and exhausted, when you have to rearrange your life or ask for help from others, and that’s OKAY! At the end of your journey, it will only make your success that much sweeter,” said Navarro.

For more information, view the allied health program at DVC.

Interested in a public health or nursing career?

Bay Area Job Outlook

Community Healthcare Worker
Average Starting Wage: $22.95/hour
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Average Starting Wage: $29.76/hour
Nurse Practitioner
Average Starting Wage: $72.59/hour
Registered Nurse
Average Starting Wage: $58.00/hour

Source: Bay Area data reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics – May 2021

Forging a more resilient path

With the economic upheaval arising from the pandemic, Nicole Grimes began a process of self-assessment to determine the next steps in her career. She wanted to become more resilient to the economic challenges happening around her, and also wanted to build on her existing skills.

“Prior to the pandemic, I worked as a behavioral therapist. But I started to lose my passion, so I decided to go back to school to pursue my long-term goal of launching my own business. With the pandemic closing doors, terminating jobs, and social distancing, it seemed like the right time,” said Grimes.

Grimes will graduate DVC in May 2023 with an associate in science for transfer in business administration, as well as a small business management/entrepreneurship certificate of achievement.

“I plan to get a job as a small business manager to help give me a solid foundation and understanding of what is needed to run my own business,” said Grimes.

The average starting wage for a business manager in the Bay Area is $35.43 per hour. For those who plan to start their own business, starting wages may vary. As a future entrepreneur, Grimes feels it is important to plan for economic downturns and other unexpected circumstances that can adversely impact a business.

“My classes in economics, small business management, and personal finance management have taught me the importance of budgeting and planning for unfortunate situations. It is critical to have an emergency fund that can sustain your personal cost of living expenses for a minimum of six months. If you have your own business, you need to have an emergency fund that can sustain your business expenses for six to twelve months as well,” said Grimes.

For more information, view the business program at DVC.

Accessing support and resources

Becoming more flexible and adaptive to change are key skills that can help students and job seekers become more resilient during challenging economic times. For those who need help, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC) and Rubicon Programs offer a lifeline that really makes a difference.

“With recent layoffs, rising inflation, labor market changes and new emerging trends happening simultaneously in a post-pandemic world, job seekers and students can feel overwhelmed and isolated. But there are resources available that can help,” said Lubna Hanif, Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Coach Team Supervisor.

Through the WIOA Program, participants receive career coaching and assistance to support their goals. A career coach assists them one-on-one with their employment and training goals. Those interested in a career change can access training to prepare them for new opportunities.

“Career changers can work with their coach to identify their career goals and needed training. The coach then creates the funding request to enable them to enroll in their chosen training program. There are also funds to help with expenses such as transportation, supplies, books, and equipment,” said Hanif.

Workers who have been laid-off can access up to $5000 in training funds, subject to their eligibility and the availability of funds.

allied health student “We also serve the long-term unemployed or underemployed, even if they were not laid off. A full scope of employment and training services is available including supportive services, subject to the participant’s eligibility and the availability of funds,” said Hanif.

For more information about the WIOA Program and to find out if you are eligible for services, contact Robin Heinemann at rheinemann@dvc.edu or visit:

Did you know?

All DVC students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive free financial coaching through SparkPoint Contra Costa – DVC. Available services focus on three elements of financial stability and prosperity: managing credit, increasing income, and building assets.

“SparkPoint Contra Costa – DVC offers the opportunity to learn about creating and maintaining a budget, saving to prepare for unexpected financial hardships, establishing and managing credit, and more,” said Gerardo “Jerry” Mendoza, SparkPoint Director for community colleges.

SparkPoint services include:

Financial coaching
Credit coaching
Career coaching
Tax services
Legal services
Monthly financial workshops

In-person services are available on the Pleasant Hill campus on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am – 3pm in the EOPS office located in the Student Services Center, Room SSC-127. Remote services are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information or to schedule an orientation, email Gerardo Mendoza at g.mendoza172@dvc.edu.

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