Carl Sargent, a native of Seattle, has been in education for over 20 years, teaching and counseling students at various stages of their educational and career development. He believes current educational goals and restructuring can be achieved through partnerships between schools and the community. Work-based learning activities are a significant part of this process at all educational levels.

In the last ten years, Sargent has been involved in Oregon's school-to-work efforts as a Transition Services Coordinator, providing work-based learning opportunities to special population students. He is a member of several local community and educational committees.

Sargent has written four books related to including all students in workplace learning programs and connecting activities between business and education. He has been a presenter on special populations and school-to-work issues at local, state, and national conferences.