DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

In this episode Karla Aljanabi shares her journey from Guadalajara to Diablo Valley College and beyond, describing how part-time work, transfers, and nontraditional steps led her to roles at Tesla and a stock exchange before launching Career Building Coach.
Karla offers practical tips on networking, using LinkedIn, interviewing, building a personal brand, and overcoming imposter syndrome, with actionable advice for students and job seekers navigating career transitions.
 
Check out Karla's Career Coaching here on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/careercoachkarla/

On this episode of DVC Alumni, Sabrina Beisner shares her journey from dancing in Pleasant Hill and performing with the Golden State Warriors and Janet Jackson to studying kinesiology and ultimately launching Take Stage Entertainment. She explains how DVC courses and arts training helped her pivot from a physical therapy track to a thriving entertainment career.
Hear stories about auditions, teaching, competing again, building an event company that offers DJs, MCs, motivator and specialty dancers, and the resilience and self-discovery that guided her leap into entrepreneurship.
You can find Sabrina's Instagram @takestageentertainment/
You can find Sabrina's company https://www.takestage-entertainment.net/

In this episode Charley Daly sits down with student leader Anya Gupta at Contra Costa TV to discuss her busy semester, classical Kathak dance, and her project Key Future Network (KFN), where she interviews professionals—from coffee shop owners to mayors—to help students explore careers.
They also talk networking strategies, Anya’s campus clubs and advisor role, upcoming alumni mixers, and how students can get involved and find her KFN interviews on YouTube and Instagram.
Check out her channel on YouTube: Key Future Network
Find Anya on Instagram: Key Future Network on Instagram
 

Nick Chavez recounts his path from Concord and Diablo Valley College to San Francisco State, including setbacks, transfers, and the decision to pursue a career as a registered dietitian.The episode highlights the classes, internships, and mindset shifts that helped him succeed, and shares practical nutrition advice—favor whole, nutrient-dense foods, practice moderation, and build sustainable habits over quick fixes.

On this DVC Alumni Podcast episode meet Greg Berkowitz (founder of Berks Beans) and Kiara as they dive into the craft and science of coffee roasting. Greg shares how a hobby roasted in a toaster oven during the pandemic turned into a fresh-roasted business, explains roast levels, processing methods, and why "born on" roast dates matter.
Hear about pour-over and cold brew techniques, sourcing beans, and how freshness and small-batch roasting set Berks Beans apart. A concise, friendly conversation for anyone who loves coffee or wants to start a food-focused small business.
 
You can find Berks Beans here: https://berksbeans.com/
 

In this episode Charley Daly interviews Maile Collmer about her journey from a shy kid in Hawaii to a dancer with the Concord Blue Devils, a UCLA grad, and a successful realtor and business coach. Maile shares how joining teams, industry associations, and BNI helped her build a resilient, referral-driven business while staying 100% commission-based.
She offers practical networking advice—be intentional, show up, follow up, nurture one-to-one relationships, and use industry groups and masterminds to scale smarter. Miley also discusses her Business Acceleration Group, upcoming workshops, and strategies for moving from hustle to sustainable growth.
 
You can find Maile on LinkedIn here: Maile Collmer

Join us in this inspiring episode of the DBC Alumni Podcast as we dive into the fascinating journey of Kimberlee Koym-Mureita, a dedicated art and digital media instructor. Discover her transition from growing up in San Antonio, Texas, to becoming a passionate educator and artist with a global perspective. Learn how her experiences across continents, from studying theater design in Austin to exploring the artistic landscapes of Holland, Finland, and Portugal, have shaped her unique approach to art and teaching.
In this episode, Kimberlee shares her love for creating art with her hands, influenced by her rural upbringing and multicultural experiences. She also opens up about her time in the film industry in LA and how it led to her discovery of personal artistic projects. Kimberlee also offers insights into her teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of self-expression in art and the evolving role of technology in the classroom.
Tune in to hear about Kimberlee's artistic endeavors, including her current exhibition at DVC, her perspectives on the impact of AI in the art world, and her thoughts on the contrasting cultures she experienced during her travels. This conversation showcases the power of art as a tool for expression, connection, and personal growth.
You can see Kimberlle's art at the DVC Art Gallery
Check out more of her work at https://www.kimberleekm.com/

Join us in this engaging episode as we explore the inspiring journey of Shane Farrell, originally from Walnut Creek, California, who has traversed through the dynamic worlds of music and marketing. Shane shares his unique experiences from being in a band with his brother, performing around Northern California, to establishing a management company in Los Angeles, and eventually transitioning to a marketing career in Miami.
Shane emphasizes the invaluable skill of networking, recounting how genuine interactions and follow-ups have opened doors to opportunities and collaborations with major companies like BMW, Coachella, and more. He discusses the importance of treating everyone equally, a lesson instilled by his parents, which has greatly shaped his career.
Dive into this episode to understand Shane's perspective on the differences between the entertainment scenes of LA and Miami, his passion for music, and how strategic networking can propel one's career across various industries.
You can find Shane on Instagram: @stillshanee
You can find Shane's company here: knwn4.com