The city of Stockton is home to a unique facility that is preparing the next generation for high-paying careers. Recently, the Eyes of Science display at Delta College held a free open house, allowing visitors to tour the facility. One of the main attractions of this facility is the electron microscopy program, which is the only one of its kind in the nation at a community college level.
Jose Jimenez, an instructor at Delta College, explains that the program allows students to look into the atom’s cell structure, delving into the nanoworld. Hitachi trained and mentored Jimenez to work on powerful microscopes known as the Eyes of Science, which are essential for critical research in various scientific fields. Students in the program, like Logan Gorham and Cassidy Altimari, have developed a passion for microscopy despite initially majoring in art and biology respectively. Gorham shares that finding the program close to home was a stroke of luck, while Altimari highlights the appeal of the program in terms of the wide range of job opportunities it offers.
Many students have jobs lined up even before they graduate, with Nathaniel Sibayan and Alyssa Origer already securing positions in their respective fields. Origer mentions that she has a job in the microscopy department at QuantumScape in San Jose working on electric batteries. The success of the program has led to plans to expand it on campus, with Rachaellien Trinh, its director working hard to fill more seats with eager students. School leaders note that those who complete the program see a significant increase in their earnings with an average salary increase of 168%. The enthusiasm of students and promising job prospects are driving continued growth and development at Delta College’s Eyes of Science facility in Stockton.
