Pleasanton's future will not be determined by environmentalists, city planners or developers.

Its future will be determined by its young people. But if they are not able to see opportunities for themselves right here at home, we face the prospect of our youth leaving to seek their futures elsewhere. As a parent, I want my children to find a good future here in Pleasanton and that poses certain challenges.

One very important challenge is to assure that Pleasanton remains a thriving, prosperous community where new opportunities regularly arise, and where young people can look forward to high-paying fulfilling careers. To do this, Pleasanton must grow. That's a reality I believe most people recognize. The question is what shape that growth takes.

Hacienda Business Park provides us with one example of what well-planned growth can be. It will provide good jobs, and a wide variety of them. No only will our young people be able to find part-time jobs while they are in school, they'll have some excellent career opportunities when they're ready to work full-time.

The next challenge is opening young people's eyes to the specific career opportunities for which they can prepare. One local program seeking to do just that is called Career Links. This internship program is administered through Valley Volunteer Center and the Amador Valley Joint Union High School District. It offers high school students first-hand knowledge of career opportunities by actually letting them work in their chosen field.

As a Pleasanton resident, I have been active on the advisory committee of Career Links. I have seen its value for the many students that participate yearly. They learn about the jobs they think they want and they learn about themselves. It gives them a head start toward finding their place in the working world. Career Links has been extremely successful, but it is a program whose success depends very directly on the business community and their commitment to our young people.

Local business has recognized the value of this program and their obligation to support it at every level. Bank of America helped get it off the ground in 1980 with initial funding of $27,000. In 1982, CPS, the real estate company of Hacienda Business Park, made an $8,235 contribution which allowed the program to meet its financial goals that year. Employers from throughout the Tri-Valley, including small firms and major corporations, have sponsored students through internships.

The continued support of local business through sponsorships and cash donations is critical to the continuation of this valuable program. Everyone involved with Career Links is confident that, once again this year, business will come through.

The reason for the confidence? Pleasanton has a healthy, prospering economy.

This is due in no small measure to the growth plans which our community has carefully laid down after many years. The North Pleasanton developments, as well as others in the Tri-Valley, are proof that those growth plans can work to create quality developments, enhancing our community and our lives. That's good news for all of us in Pleasanton, but especially for our young people, who may now be able to find the jobs they want right here at home.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: December 10, 1983 Pathways.