The Spring 2017 Schedule of Classes is now available on our website and in print. Please refer to the schedule to find more information about our courses, transferring to a four-year university and our degree and certificate programs. We also encourage readers to take a look at our three feature stories, as they highlight our flexible Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and resources.

This semester’s student success story follows Andy Guinn, a former business owner turned Tesla Motors Inc. employee. After wanting to shift gears in his career, Andy enrolled in CSM’s electronics program and eventually earned an associate’s degree. His associate’s degree led to a job with Tesla, where Andy has been working for the last four years. CTE programs not only help students change their career aspirations but they are also catered towards entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Peter von Bleichert about the evolution of our new certificate program, Entrepreneurship—From Idea to Success. This program is designed to assist students in opening small businesses, as well as current business owners. Additionally, Entrepreneurship teaches students how to successfully keep a business up and running.

Entrepreneurship is working in conjunction with CSM’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an on-campus hub that offers business services for local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our cover feature highlights the SBDC, and its recent accomplishments and endeavors. From 2013-2015, the SBDC helped create 43 new businesses, 428 new jobs and brought in $11.2 million in revenue. Inside this semester’s schedule, you can learn more about the SBDC and how they helped two local businesses gain success.

At CSM, we aim to support and drive our students towards a successful education and career. For more information about our career programs, visit our Career Programs page at collegeofsanmateo.edu/careers. To learn more about the SBDC, visit sanmateosbdc.org.