Bakersfield College is partnering with the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC), the KCHCC Business Education Foundation, Aera, and Chevron for the annual Energy and Agriculture Academy.

The program and scholarships are for students with an interest in energy and agriculture career fields. The academy is seeking applications from high school and BC students. All applications must be submitted by March 16 at noon for consideration.

High school applicants must be enrolled in field specific courses for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) or agriculture. Both BC and high school applicants must be Kern County residents, and committed to attending all academy sessions to meet the application requirements.

Yadira Guerrero from BC helps to handle student applications and offered advice to students wanting to apply. “Read the application thoroughly, write neatly, and follow directions. You would not believe the amount of applications we get that are missing documents or are illegible.”

Although there are specific requirements to apply, Guerrero says students should still apply even if they do not meet every requirement. “Always try because you never know,” Guerrero said.

The Energy and Agriculture academy is held over five weekends, starting June 15.

All sessions are located at BC and will be focused on how the energy industry affects Kern County, internships in STEM and agriculture businesses, guest speakers, and field trips to energy plants or agricultural production centers.

Students who participate in all sessions of the academy will become Student Ambassadors, a paid, student level membership, for the KCHCC.

The program and scholarships are funded by grants from Chevron, Aera, California Independent Petroleum Association, California Resources Corporation, and Kern Energy Festival. Scholarships are given to the participating students at a graduation banquet.