Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions

At the time when young adults are receptive to making successful transitions from secondary education into the adult world of employment, I argue significant benefits can accrue to those taking jobs in public service conservation work (PSCW) programs. Via a one-year commitment to entry-level PSCW, programs such as the state of California's Conservation Corps (CCC) facilitate significant gains in self-worth and professional growth for this under-skilled and under-served age cohort. PSCW programs have the capacity to instill in the nascent worker appreciation for the values and rewards of professional service while establishing an understanding of and a commitment to academic advance, environmentalism, and the causative efforts that support and strengthen communities. The study¿s objectives measure and evaluate long-term (i.e. longitudinal) employment trends, pursuit of a formal degree, and growth in personal commitment to environmental stewardship and community wellness by California Conservation Corps (CCC) members from after five to more than twenty-five years post-program graduation date.