Most students see their professors for the length of an hour or more during class and after dismissal, everyone goes on his or her way. At that time, a few teachers on campus leave to teach at other institutions.

Steven Holmes teaches political science at Bakersfield College. He leaves BC each afternoon to teach political science 101 at Cal State Bakersfield.

Since 2000, Holmes has taught both at BC and CSUB. What he enjoys about teaching at different schools is the level of learning.

Holmes got into teaching at CSUB because professors were retiring and the need for someone to step in was necessary. Being qualified with experience, the university asked Holmes to teach the class.

“The students at the CSU system have a tendency to be a little more motivated and are at a slightly higher learning curve,” Holmes said.

Before coming to BC in 1994, Holmes taught political science courses in Northern California at Butte College and at Chico State.

For 16 years, BC professor Robert Lewy has taught Geology 10 at BC as well as chemistry and physics courses at East Bakersfield High School. Coming out of early retirement at Atlantic Richfield, an oil and gas exploration company, he began his teaching career at BC as a part-time employee. The opportunity came along for Lewy to take a full-time teaching job at East High, and he has been doing so ever since.

“It gives me a chance to have fun in an area I enjoy,” Lewy said.

Holmes enjoys seeing and interacting with previous BC students at CSUB who are striving to get their degree in political science.

“There’s a longer contact and a sense of mentoring. The ability to have a chance to communicate with the younger generation and help them be successful later in life,” he said.

Holmes has a word of advice for students hoping to transfer to a four-year institution.

“Find good time management skills and have a greater desire to be competitive educationally because the next level is. Seize the opportunity, and be prepared for those opportunities to be successful.”