“I was in the process of completing my M.A. degree in Sociology at California State University Fullerton. However, after doing some additional research with the help of my educational counselor at CSU Fullerton, completing the WDL program helped me enhance my education and progress in the field in which I am currently working,” says Aref Farahi, a recent graduate of the Master of Arts in Workforce Development Leadership (WDL) program at Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE).

Workforce Development has emerged as a vibrant field in professional education and training. In educational settings, workforce development unites the activities of many units, blending academic, career and technical studies, and advising and counseling.

The Workforce Development Leadership program aims to develop leaders from diverse backgrounds with the skills and dispositions to successfully organize and manage workforce development programming. The program focuses on cultivating leaders who promote learning, equity, social justice, opportunity and achievement for all students.

“Studying workforce development has been an enriching experience for me,” Aref says. “Some of the highlights of this subject include learning about the impact of education and training on the workforce, how to design effective workforce development programs, and the role of technology in shaping the future of work, especially artificial intelligence. Additionally, understanding the different policies and strategies that governments and organizations implement to promote workforce development has been fascinating. Overall, studying workforce development has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the modern workforce and how we can work towards creating a more skilled and adaptable workforce for the future while incorporating automation.”

The WDL program prepares leaders for an industry that is currently expanding rapidly as an important area of focus, in response to national attention to poverty and welfare reform alternatives.

The program welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds passionate about leveraging their industry expertise to contribute to secondary and postsecondary education institutions, social services, community-based organizations, workforce development boards, workforce investment boards, and private-sector businesses.

When asked what drew Aref to becoming a leader in workforce development, he is quick to respond. “To be a champion of workforce development, I needed to understand the role of Human Resources and Workforce Development within an Organization,” he explains. “Therefore, the WDL defined the two employee management concepts: Human Resources and Workforce Development. These practices are complementary and crucial for achieving organizational objectives. Investing in employee growth can improve their performance and prepare them for future roles.”

No stranger to the industry, Aref credits the program with helping him advance in his career. “I have been working in the workforce development field since 2015. I began my career as a Job Developer with Orange County Social Service,” he says. “At the end of 2019, I started my new job as a Career Advisor with the City of Anaheim in Orange County, California.”

When asked where he draws his inspiration from, Aref acknowledges the significance of family in his educational journey. “I am a proud father of two and want to be a good educational role model,” he explains. “My uncle, Dr. Dawood Farahi, inspired me to extend the boundaries of what’s possible in education. So, I am enrolling in a doctoral program in educational leadership at California State University, Fresno, to continue my academic journey.”

For more information about the Master of Arts in Workforce Development Leadership program, please visit our website here.