Skip to content
  • Students
  • Online
  • Staff
  • Search
  • Current Students
  • Online Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visitors & Community
  • Athletics
search
  • Apply Now
  • Login myGav
  • iLearn

Gavilan College
  • search
  • Apply
  • ACADEMICS
    Degrees & Programs

    Information:

    • Schedule of Classes, Dates and Deadlines
    • Catalog
    • Directory
    • Online Classes

    Other Classes

    • Community Education
    • TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy (GECA)
    • Continuing Education Instruction
    • Service Learning

    Departments:

    • All Departments
    • Allied Health
    • Business
    • Child Development
    • Communication
    • Computer Science

    More Departments:

    • Cosmetology
    • Digital Media
    • English
    • English as a Second Language
    • Math
  • ADMISSIONS
    & Records

    New Students

    • Homepage for Admissions
    • Enrollment Information
    • Math and English Placement

    Just For

    • High School Students
    • International Students
    • Veterans

    All Students

    • College Catalog
    • Fees / Costs
    • Forms

    More:

    • Parking
    • Schedule of Classes, Dates and Deadlines
    • Transcripts
  • FINANCIAL AID
    Pay for College

    Information

    • Financial Aid Home
    • Forms

    More

    • Making a Budget
    • Questions & Answers

    Programs

    • Current Scholarships
    • Enrollment Info

    More Services

    • Staff and Contact Information
  • STUDENT SERVICES
    Counseling & Support

    Core Services

    • Counseling
    • Health Services
    • All Other Core Services

    Support Programs

    • AEC (Disability Services)
    • All Support Programs
    • El Centro (Basic Needs)
    • All Student Services

    Support Resources

    • Student Parent
    • Tutoring & Writing Center
    • Technology Help & FAQ
    • All Other Support Services

    Student Life

    • Clubs
    • Associated Students (ASGC)
    • More Student Life
  • LIBRARY
    Research & Resources

    Research

    • Library Homepage
    • Books
    • Library Research Guides

    Databases

    • eBooks
    • Articles Databases
    • Full List of All Library Databases

    Library

    • Ask a Librarian
    • FAQs
    • Library Services

    More Services

    • Faculty Services
    • Selected Websites by Subject
  • ABOUT GAVILAN
    Now & History

    College Information

    • About Gavilan
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
    • Budget Information
    • Campus Safety

    Information

    • Community Education
    • Guided Pathways
    • Institutional Learning Outcomes
    • Maps & Directions
    • Office of the President

    More

    • Personnel Directory
    • Research Office
    • News
    • Outreach & Recruitment
    • Measure X

    Community

    • Alumni
    • Community Spirit Awards
    • Events
    • Facilities Rental
    • Foundation
Home > Student Services > Service Learning > What should I expect in my Service Learning class?

What should I expect in my Service Learning class?

Expect the best!

Most students have a fantastic experience. Some even say SL changes their experience of college, their goals for the future, or their lives. TIP: Keep an open mind. You may be about to do something new, but new experiences are what college is about.

Expect to go through a “hiring: process”: 

First, your teacher will talk about how Service Learning relates to the outcome goals of the class. You will get a brief orientation on appropriate approaches to SL, and your teacher will go over paperwork needed.

Then you will likely be given a choice of service placements your teacher has determined work well with the content of her or his class. Many Gavilan teachers use a common website for you to “shop” and find your best-fit placement agency. It may be helpful for you to have a resume already filled out, or to use the generic application form on the website. If you don’t know how to fill it out putting your best foot forward, ask your instructor for help.

You will contact the agency representative listed on the website directly, via email or phone. That “employer” may talk to you briefly or at length by e-mail or phone to determine your interests and/or your suitability for employment. TIP THIS is the best time to talk about scheduling—many placement just don’t work out because students don’t have time free when the agency needs them. So get this clear early on!

Then most will want to meet with you one-on-one in person, though some do only phone or group interviews. You can apply to an agency with a friend or group, but some agencies will select individuals they want to “hire,” while others are more open to teams or pairs.

Expect an orientation of some sort from the agency.

Expect to have a supervisor who keeps track of your hours and helps guide your work.

Expect to give your teacher feedback verbally or in writing about how the placement is going.


Expect to have regular writing and/or reporting assignments about your placement. This is where your teacher will help you by giving you a chance to tie the Service Learning work to class content. If you don’t see the connections, ask in class.

Expect to deal professionally with problems that come up on your job, or with absences you may find necessary. That means to ask for help when you need it, call ahead if you will be late or absent, and let your supervisor know of any circumstances that will affect your work.

QUICKLINKS

  • Home
  • Why Service Learning?
  • Mission
  • Community Partners
  • Resources for students, faculty, agencies
  • Service Learning Classes this semester
  • Civic Engagement at Gavilan College
  • Contact Us
  • Service Learning hands


STUDENT RESOURCES

  • Admissions & Records
  • Bookstore
  • CARES Act Emergency Grant
  • College Catalog
  • Counseling
  • Financial Aid
  • Just Report It
  • Library
  • Schedule
  • Student Services
  • Student Tech Support

QUICKLINKS

  • A-Z Index
  • BoardDocs (Meeting agendas and minutes)
  • Board of Trustees
  • Calendar and Deadlines
  • Employment
  • Gavilan College Educational Foundation
  • Maps & Directions

Board Docs

 

OTHER INFO

  • ADA Transition Plan
  • Accreditation
  • Associate Degrees For Transfer
  • Campus Drinking Water
  • Campus Safety Information & Disclosures
  • Office of the President
  • Register to Vote
  • Student Success Scorecard
  • Student Learning Outcomes
  • Title IX

CONTACT US

  • Accessibility
  • Contact Form
  • Employee Directory
  • Office / Department Directory
  • Public Records Request
  • Report an Incident
  • Website Feedback

Gavilan College
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848 - 4800