Bakersfield Life

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Higher Learning
This month Bakersfield Life asked for local women involved in education about the importance of a college degree in today’s business world.



Rhonda Barnhard - Assistant Director, City of Bakersfield Economic & Community Development
Jaclyn Hernandez - Public Affairs Specialist, CSUB
Amber Chiang - Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Bakersfield College
Kathryn Lomely - Academic Advisor, University of LaVerne


How has education played a pivotal role in your current profession?

Rhonda Barnhard  - I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and my formal education has been a cornerstone in my professional development.   The overall experience was energizing and provided me with new ideas and critical thinking skills to handle challenges and issues I’m faced with daily.  Education provided me a new perspective to the decision making process by utilizing better developed analytic skills.   Critical and analytic thinking changed the way I approach situations on the job. Education has also allowed me to endeavor and incorporate an entrepreneurial spirit and perspective to traditional public sector accountability practices.

Jaclyn Hernandez - I wouldn’t have my job if I didn’t have my degree. CSUB not only gave me the tools to get my job, but it also provided me a way to network with the right people. When you go to college you learn it’s important to make those types of connections with your peers as well as professors.

Amber Chiang - My education at CSU Bakersfield allowed me to meet an extraordinary number of people that have helped shape my career. I was able to meet and establish long-lasting relationships with public relations professionals through a student organization tied to the Public Relations Society of America while in school.  In a career such as public relations, practical experience and mentors can be just as essential as education.  Some say “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” and I feel that’s very true in my field.  However, the basic construction of my skills came out of education.

Kathryn Lomely - I work as an academic advisor and adjunct professor for the University of La Verne. Both jobs require a master’s degree. Jobs that I have pursued or that I find interesting have required a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

What are your thoughts on companies aiding working students with tuition reimbursement?

Rhonda Barnhard  - I think it’s a great idea and extremely important for companies, institutions and agencies to invest in the education and training of their work force if resources are available. Not all education has to be formal, and as an option, there are excellent training programs available to employees to assist them in their chosen career.  Regardless of the level of higher education or training - from my experience as a manager I have seen that the return on this investment is extremely beneficial and worthwhile to the individual employee and the organization as a whole.

Jaclyn Hernandez - I think any incentive it takes to get someone to go to college is great. Many prospective students think they can’t get a college degree because of the cost involved. It’s not true. There are so many options out there you just have to ask. Sometimes taking that first step is the most difficult, but it’s so worth it. 

Amber Chiang - I believe that education is non-negotiable for just about everyone – from people seeking welding as a career to my family physician.  The reality today is that students struggle to make ends meet, and need to have a job, while in school, in order to maintain their finances.  Employers can only benefit when they help train and educate their work force.  An employer with student tuition reimbursement is investing in the future of their business.

Kathryn Lomely - I think it is great!  When you work for a company that invests in employee development through higher education or vocational training, it is definitely a plus.  It is a big relief in knowing that you don’t have to pay for college tuition which is a huge stressor for students and focus more on skill building and of course, homework.

What is your degree/degrees in and why did you choose this discipline to study?

Rhonda Barnhard  - I come from a long line of community and public servants: my grandfather was the state commander for the American Legion after WWII and also served on the Bakersfield Police Civil Service Commission. My father was the LAFCO executive director for Kern County and a Bakersfield city councilmember during the 1960s and 70s and my mother worked for Kern County Superior Court.  Obviously, growing up, the aspect of public service was highly valued and consequently, a public service career was a natural choice.  My undergraduate degree from CSUB is in public policy and administration and I continued my educational endeavor to receive a master’s degree in the same discipline.   I chose this field of study because it directly impacts my position with the city and my chosen career in public service.

Jaclyn Hernandez - My degree is in communications with an emphasis in journalism. While the field is highly competitive, there are a number of things you are able to do with the skills obtained through this discipline. I started off thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do in my career and of course that changed. My communications degree gave me that flexibility to think outside the box that I had put my career in early on. 

Amber Chiang - My degree is in communications, with a minor in English.  I fell into these fields, knowing I wanted to be in public relations, and CSU Bakersfield was without a degree in that area at that time.  This education provided me with a well-rounded curriculum, from writing to speech to interpersonal communication to newspaper construction.  It has all figured in to the professional I am today.

Kathryn Lomely - I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Master of Arts degree in sociology and working on my doctorate in public administration.  I choose these fields because I like to learn about people. All three degrees focus on people in different ways: how they think or respond, how they function in a group, or how to better serve them.  People are definitely fascinating.


Is there significant motivation, especially for women, to go back to school to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree?

Rhonda Barnhard  - I don’t know if there is currently a motivational trend for women to return to school and the question of motivation I believe is unique to the individual.  We live in an era where options are endless for women and education can provide an excellent basis to prepare for these opportunities.  Also, women continue to face unique challenges in the work force; although I believe that some of the traditional barriers, which have been persistent for women over the years appear to be changing. Education not only provides professional benefits but the personal experiences and growth are also extremely rewarding. It’s tough and demanding but the payoff is worth it! 

Jaclyn Hernandez - In today’s market, you often can’t get a job or even advance in your career without a college education. You need to do whatever it takes to set yourself apart from other applicants, and a number of them will have had gone or are going through college. I think that’s motivation enough. Plus, with the cost of living so high, many households are in need of being supported by two or more incomes. Earning a degree or an advanced degree is the answer if a prospective student has been out of work or doesn’t have the skill set needed to get the job they want. You have to make yourself marketable.

Amber Chiang - While the proverbial glass ceiling may be diminishing, it is still there.  Women must work to prove that they are just as qualified as their male counterparts for employment, and sometimes education can be the catalyst for them.  Many women leave the work force to raise families, and upon returning, might find their skills somewhat outdated.  With additional education, they are as viable as any other candidate for a position, and have multi-tasking, management and planning experience to add to their resume!

Kathryn Lomely - There are several motivations I have seen women have. One is having more options available to them.  I have seen many women who have raised their families or have found themselves wanting a new career go back to college and change their life.  Another motivation was following a dream. Women juggle work, school, family and friends to achieve this lifetime goal or dream for themselves or their families.  At first they are a little intimidated, but once they learn how to balance life and school and toward the end of the race….they are full speed ahead.  Another more obvious motivation is money. Some students want to move up the ladder for an increase in pay or just a full-time job with benefits.  Some of those positions require more education.