How it looks from the class of 2004 How it looks from the class of 2004 (March 24, 2004)

High school seniors talk about budget cuts, outsourcing

By David Boyce
Almanac Staff Writer

Students graduating from high school this year face a substantially different set of choices and challenges than graduates did a few years ago during the dot-com boom.

The state may reduce access to UC and CSU campuses. The local economy has lost 18 percent of its jobs since 2000, and job growth is slow. Global competition is hitting home as more American businesses set up shop in other countries.

Seniors in economics classes at Woodside and Menlo-Atherton high schools recently shared their views on these conditions with the Almanac.

Going to college

Wielding the budget cutter's ax, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing to reduce enrollment at UC and CSU campuses by redirecting 11 percent of this fall's incoming class -- about 7,000 freshmen -- to community colleges. This reduction would be in addition to an enrollment growth restriction that will reduce the 2004-05 freshmen class by about 8,000 students at UC and CSU campuses.

"Obviously, at this point in my life, I don't want this to happen," said Woodside senior Art Eiseberg, who has applied to seven UC campuses. He thinks the state could look elsewhere in its budget to make cuts. "The equipment and manpower that the highway department has in the mountains is double what they need. Things like that should be taken care of before cutting education."

Ariel Miller, also a Woodside senior, said she has been prepping for college since seventh grade. "All my hard work should not count for nothing," she said.

"I believe that the state government got us into this economic mess," said Woodside senior Ulises Rangel. "Now to get out of it, they want to keep us out of school. I think it's good that they are trying to fix the problem, but they are doing it the wrong way."

Some students aren't opposing the funding cuts. "If the cost (of going to a public college) is going up, maybe private school is an option," said M-A senior Kate Rasmussen, who noted that old-school connections are always helpful.

"I believe this proposal is a pretty good idea, although it really sucks for me since I'm trying to get into a UC right now," said Woodside senior Eric Luttrell. "With the bad economic condition the state is in, you just have to bite the bullet and face reality. If you go to a community college and then transfer to the UC of your choice, you will still get a great education and the state, hopefully, will be in better shape."

Silicon Valley dreams

Instant millionaires were popping up everywhere in Silicon Valley a few years ago, but no more. The local economy has lost 18 percent of its jobs since 2000, including 25 percent of its technology jobs, while per capita income has dropped 7.4 percent, according to UC Berkeley economist Cynthia A. Kroll.

Did student dreams crash as well? Many students said they aren't counting on finding a Silicon Valley job.

"I think of computers as merely a commodity in my life," said Ariel Miller. "I was never interested in it enough to make it my career."

"I've always (wanted) to be a cop," said Max Baldovinos of Woodside. "Now that the Silicon Valley thing went down, it will not affect me."

"I did have dreams," Woodside senior Corina Lozada admitted, "but other people have dreams, too," she said, referring to job growth in other countries.

"When I was in middle school, all I ever heard (about) was people making so much money with technology," said Ulises Rangel. "I loved computers and I worked to do something in that field, but it all went downhill. Now, I plan to be a dentist."

Outsourcing the future?

In the midst of a national debate about American businesses "outsourcing" jobs, students gave mixed views about the impact on their lives. Some expressed moral concerns for low-wage workers.

"I am not worried that I am competing (for) jobs with people around the world," said Woodside senior Claudia Montes. "What I am worried about is how they are being treated. I think that companies are sending jobs overseas for the wrong reasons."

"We should impose (standards on American companies operating overseas) if they're abusing their workers," said M-A senior Scott Alonso.

"If we don't impose our standards, who's going to do it?" said Scott's classmate Brian Wang.

"I am concerned about the competition," said Stephanie Geballe, a senior at Woodside. "However, that is how a market economy runs. There will always be people who are willing to work for less. I can only try my hardest in the future."

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