The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 20, 02/23/24

NEWS

Three CWRU students’ films to be shown at the Short. Sweet. Film Fest.

Zachary Treseler News Editor

For the creatively minded, especially those interested in film and video production, a chance to celebrate is around the corner as Cleveland will host its annual Short. Sweet. Film Fest., from Feb. 28 to March 3. The Short. Sweet. Film Fest. will be at Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square 6, with student film screenings on Feb. 29. Tickets are available online and at the door.

The festival was founded 13 years ago by Case Western Reserve University alumni Alex Pavloff and Michael Suglio, the latter of whom is the executive producer of the festival and current lecturer in CWRU’s Department of Theater. The festival has humble beginnings, beginning as a one-day affair by a brewery in Ohio City. As the festival gained popularity, it moved to The Atlas in 2023.

“Alex and I just had this idea of doing a film festival to really showcase up-and-coming talent and student filmmakers,” Suglio explained. “And so the vibe is [that] many of the people who attend are either students or aspiring filmmakers or people who want to get into film. And this year is showing nearly 300 short films.” This year’s showings are from local colleges such as Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga County Community College and also from schools as far away as Los Angeles.

Three films are being shown this year from CWRU: “Stick to the Script,” “Old Friend Cleveland” and “Wild Horses.”

“So this year is the year; we have three films from Case Western students. Usually it’s a good year if we have one, [but] we have three,” Suglio said about CWRU’s involvement in this year’s film festival.

“Stick to the Script,” directed by Saar Zutshi while working for NFL Films, is about “a guy doing that type of job 9-5 every day and eventually just losing his mind” with a lot of the dialogue coming from “all the interns just chatting at the office.”

EDITORIAL

“After talking about it at work, we decided to shoot a short film essentially making a parody of the nature of corporate office jobs. I spent a week writing the script and the next week redrafting as well as preparing a shot list and getting approval to shoot. So less than two weeks from the conception of the idea, we were filming,” Zutshi said. The film was shot on his iPhone, and by the end of the summer he submitted it to the Short. Sweet. Film Fest.

“Old Friend Cleveland” and “Wild Horses” were produced in the 20222023 academic year with CWRU’s filmmaking club, Studio 300. Executive Director and third-year environmental studies and environmental geology student Patricia Carrig notes that they “foster a space on [CWRU’s] STEM-oriented campus where students are encouraged and supported to explore the niche world of short filmmaking.”

“Basically, students come to us with an idea or a script, and we do what we can to help them make that idea into a short film,” Carrig said about how the club promotes filmmaking.

Carrig joined Studio 300 in the beginning of 2022. “You’re constantly putting out fires, solving problems that you never could’ve planned for and occasionally butting heads creatively with other people who are just as passionate as you are about making something that you’ll be proud of,” she said.

“Wild Horses” was directed by Max Schroder, a 2023 CWRU graduate who majored in cognitive science. The film is inspired by the Rolling Stones’ song of the same name. Using the lyrics, he wrote a script and it got approved for production.

“Shooting itself was incredible, there was a great amount of teamwork and everyone was on the same page. The atmosphere on set was very positive and contagious. Everyone was invested in making the best film possible, and I would love to work with every single person in the cast and crew again someday,” Schroder said about the experience of producing his film.

Similar views were expressed by Alan Sunil, a master of business administration student and one of the project’s crew members. “The film

provides the platform within which diverse perspectives can be explored, and that provides the way for the diverse stories and views that engage, confront, and inspire me,” Sunil said.

“Old Friend Cleveland” is a bit more of a personal piece, as explained by the director, writer and lead actor, Isabela Carroll, who graduated CWRU in 2023 with a degree in English. “Old Friend Cleveland” is about a graduating college student named Mal who feels immense pressure to move on to the next stage of life, specifically leaving her hometown of Cleveland. It’s about the gnawing feeling in your 20s that you never know what you’re doing and you’re somehow never doing it right,” Carroll said. “I wanted to write a love letter to Cleveland that commemorated my time here. I was raised here and hated the idea of going to CWRU because I was ready to get out like everyone else. However, over the four years of college, I heard countless peers make fun of Cleveland while secretly confessing to me that it wasn’t so bad. This story was a way to poke fun at that sentiment and capture a rediscovered love for this place.”

Carroll said that the most difficult part of production was writing the script, and she relied on her crew members greatly for the film.

Fourth-year computer science student Alexander DelGarbino, the director of photography for Carroll’s film, chooses to work on films as “it can create life-experiences for viewers, making it a very powerful medium.” Maizy Windham, crew member and fourth-year dance, theater and English student, said that she works on film as it’s “perhaps the most limitless of art forms. It combines infinite elements of expression and requires comprehensive collaboration to produce a holistic work.”

Suglio said producing a film isn’t impossible and that people want to help. He said, “I think if you’re passionate about it, people are attracted to other passionate people, you know, and so you’re passionate to tell a story visually. I think other students will want to help you in your work.”

Your guide to searching for jobs—and how to not get stressed out

As we move closer to the middle of the semester, many students are beginning to search for job opportunities, whether an internship, co-op or a full-time career. Though February is almost past us, March is still a good time to send out applications and work on networking, that highly sought after skill that can help you land your foot in the door of many companies.

To help you along, Case West -

ern Reserve University will be hosting the Career, Education and Inspiration Expo, which will allow students to meet with recruiters from a variety of companies and fields. The expo will take place on Friday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center. You can sign up for the in-person event on Handshake.

Searching for jobs can be a stressful process, and sometimes it can feel frustrating, especially if you’ve sent out dozens of applications and haven’t received a

response. But don’t worry: With a few simple strategies and sage words of advice, finding the right internship or career opportunity can be much easier.

First, let’s discuss the obvious: resumes. These are what recruiters and hiring managers will see whenever you apply for a job. Though there are basic formatting rules you should follow, no two resumes will necessarily look the same. Crafting the “perfect” resume can be highly individualized, even down to the particular job for which you are applying.

The most important points to keep in mind are what kind of information you want to put on your resume and how you want to design it. Think of a resume as a miniature story or painting of your life: What do you want to tell a potential hiring manager about yourself? In order to write this story, you need to break it up into chapters—your education, skills, work experience and any student club involvement.

Continue reading on page 6

From left to right: Studio 300 members Maizy Windham, Patricia Carrig and Benjamin Nestor visit Liminal Space Productions, an equipment rental warehouse, to check out high-end cameras.

Courtesy of Studio 300

Editorial Board

Antichrist Siege Machine’s

“Sisera”:

A cleaner,

more blackmetal tinged single from war metal’s best

Cason Willman Contributing Writer

For those uninitiated—and I would count nearly everyone in this company save a select few— Richmond, Virginia’s Antichrist Siege Machine (ASM) is one of the absolute best extreme metal bands coming out of America right now. You’ve probably never heard of them, likely because they produce some of the most chaotic music ever committed to tape. Antichrist Siege Machine belongs to a particularly punishing and visceral subgenre of black metal which some call “war metal”; others call it “bestial black metal,” but bands like ASM prove why this appellation is a bit misleading. That label might work for bands such as Revenge, whose high-pitched tremolo picking is more in line with traditional black metal like Mayhem, but Antichrist Siege Machine and other bands are clearly influenced by death metal, with loud, thundering power chords and head-banging riffs more reserved for the latter genre than the former. This isn’t to say that ASM isn’t colored by black metal; their pulsating drums on “Filth of the World” and “Purifying Blade” sound straight off a Bathory re -

cord and vocalist SB’s croak is classic kvlt, obviously not the deep growl associated with death metal. Plus, anyone listening to “Apostasy” or “Conqueror Shadow” couldn’t mistake it for anything except black ‘n’ roll on steroids. On this newest single, too, Antichrist Siege Machine is really leaning into traditional black metal far more than on previous releases, without losing the death metal flare which makes them so unique.

To start off, let’s talk about the production. Now, black metal production ranges from terrible to very terrible, which can add to the viscerality of the genre in question but can also prove to be just one more hurdle for the listener to jump over. Take fellow war metal band Kapala, which I couldn’t get into because I couldn’t tell any of the instruments apart, nor could I find the guitar—everything just sounded like an explosion of static. Even war metal pioneers Blasphemy— whom I enjoy far more than Kapala—are a challenging first listen. You have to try to pick out any discernible guitar part from the chaos. Antichrist Siege Machine has always been the exception to this rule and stands out from the crowd: Their production, even from their 2017 debut “Morbid

Courtesy of Burney

Triumph,” has always been clean, bright and crisp, which allows the absolute bestiality and hatred of each tune to shine. They are, in this regard, somewhat akin to technical/brutal death metal icon Cryptopsy on their renowned “None So Vile,” where each instrument (bass, guitar and drums) was discernible and absolutely pummeled you as a result. ASM’s production has always been a point in the band’s favor, and the production has only improved and become even shinier since 2021’s opus “Purifying Blade,” which might have had the worst production of any of their albums, sounding a bit muddy, but that was the tone they were going for. “Purifying Blade” has been their most extreme album to date, absolutely relentless and unapologetically hateful.

On “Sisera,” the production might be the cleanest it’s ever been, which is both a blessing and a curse. Again, SB’s shrieks and drums and RZ’s guitars are as sharp and fast as ever, and we can hear every second of their aggression, but there is just a little something lost from the muddier, more evil production of “Purifying Blade.” But, if I’m being honest, I don’t know if anything could be more evil than “Purifying Blade,” whose single “Victorious Legions of Satan” was as hellish as you can get. Still, I have to praise ASM for keeping up the aggression on “Sisera”: The intensity, speed and wrath of their last release have not waned at all. SB’s growls at the beginning had me pumping my fist in the air, and I found myself overwhelmed by those drums and thick guitars … in a good way.

The song starts with a classic ASM guitar whine reminiscent of “Melted Icons of Christ” or “Hanged by the Bell Rope.” This atmosphere is quickly replaced by pure aggression, as the drums, guitars and growls swoop in and completely envelop the listener. Hearing new ASM material for the first time since 2021 had

me—and I suspect every fan—excited. SB’s vocals are guttural, cathartic and absolutely demonic; the man is one of the most underrecognized vocalists in black metal. After some more guitar feedback and ambience halfway into the song, there’s a headbanging riff that evokes “Storm Chariot” off “Filth of the World” or “Victorious Legions of Satan” from “Purifying Blade.” The band also by no means overstays their welcome: With songs this brutal and claustrophobic, to clock in at under three minutes is a wise choice. After that headbanging riff, the last 20 seconds of the song are filled with SB’s incomprehensible vocals, reminiscent of “Morbid Triumph,” before the song comes to a victorious end.

It sounds as though Antichrist Siege Machine has been listening to a lot of Diocletian: The added layers of guitars in the background, the artwork and cleanliness behind the absolute filth remind me a lot of “Gesundrian,” which is fine, but if I wanted to listen to that, I wouldn’t be listening to ASM. I came for sharp, militant aggression, not something complex or layered. I can even hear just a hint of Batushka, whose melodic tendencies have crept into the background. I can only hope that these influences are minimal in the upcoming release, but not because I dislike Batushka or Diocletian; I just want ASM to maintain their unique identity, firmly rooted in both black metal and death metal. Like I said, the blistering drums and powerful guitars from RZ and SB’s vocals are as dynamic, brutal and engaging as ever. After the thundering, more death-metal-influenced “Purifying Blade,” I am eager to see how Antichrist Siege Machine incorporates their own unique black metal influences à la “Morbid Triumph” on “Vengeance Of Eternal Fire,” slated for release in April, followed by a tour schedule with other black metal acts 1349, Spectral Wound and Spirit Possession.

Extreme metal band Antichrist Siege Machine released their newest single “Sisera,” which features clean production and creates an aggressive and demonic atmosphere for listeners.

Cooking in college: Five easy meals to make and share

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor

Life at Case Western Reserve University often means tight schedules and even tighter budgets, leaving little time for cooking anything more than ready-made meals. However, with a bit of creativity and planning, you can whip up delicious, homemade dishes that won’t break the bank or the study schedule. With some trial and error, I have found a few meals that are satisfying yet simple, and they will never fail to warm your soul.

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

There’s something comforting about a bowl of good soup, and tomato soup paired with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich is a classic go-to. Using my favorite recipe from Pinch of Yum, tomato soup is a deceivingly simple meal, blending canned tomatoes and veggies that can be found at a local grocery store. Combining broth and seasonings such as garlic and thyme, this soup is hearty and flavorful without requiring too much culinary skill—and bacon adds a welcome smoky flavor. To up the nutritional value, I like to add some rotisserie chicken to the grilled cheese and some steamed veggies to my plate.

Curry and Rice

Curries are versatile, flavorful and easy-to-customize based on your preferences and available ingredients. In college, flexible meals are key to cleaning out your pantry and sticking to a tight budget. Whether you prefer chicken, tofu or vegetables, you can easily create a delicious curry dish with minimal effort. Simply sauté your choice of protein or vegetables with curry paste or powder, coconut milk—or any other cream base—and seasonings such as ginger, garlic and chili peppers.

Let the curry sit in an Instant Pot for a couple minutes or slowly simmer over the stove so that the flavors can meld together and the ingredients can be cooked through. Served over a bed of rice, this meal is packed with flavor and nutrients and never gets boring. Some of our favorites right now are Thai red curry and Indian butter chicken, both of which also work great as meal prep.

Enchiladas with Spanish Rice

Enchiladas are a crowd-pleasing Mexican dish that are easy to prepare and perfect for sharing. To make enchiladas, fill corn tortillas with a combination of cooked chicken, beans and veggies—we usually use bell peppers and onions. Roll up the tortillas and place them in a baking dish, then cover them with enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.

Bake the enchiladas in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. While the enchiladas are baking, prepare Spanish rice by cooking rice with tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices such as cumin and chili powder. Once the rice is fluffy and fragrant, serve it alongside the enchiladas and sour cream for a satisfying and flavorful meal that is truly as good as that of a restaurant.

While a bit more time-consuming than other options on this list, enchiladas are great for adding veggies and protein to a meal, and the ingredients can be easily substituted to meet dietary needs. Plus, if cooking for friends, I’m certain these enchiladas will definitely be the taco the town!

The Viral Feta Pasta

The viral feta pasta trend took the internet by storm—and for good reason. It’s incredibly easy to make, and it bursts with flavor from the roasted tomatoes and garlic. To make this simple yet delicious dish, place a block of feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and seasonings in a baking dish. Bake everything in the oven until the tomatoes start to split and the feta cheese becomes golden brown.

Toss your roasted tomato and feta mixture with cooked pasta of your choosing—I’m partial to cavatelli—until well combined. The result is a creamy, tangy pasta dish that’s so much better than your average pasta sauce.

Asian Stir Fry or Noodles

Stir-fries and noodles are quick, versatile and infinitely customizable, making them ideal for busy CWRU students. You can use a variety of proteins such as chicken or beef along with an assortment of vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and baby corn.

To make this dish, simply stir-fry your mix-ins in a hot pan with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil and sriracha if you like some spice until everything is cooked through and well-combined. Serve the stirfry over rice or egg noodles for a satisfying and nutritious meal that is cheaper than take-out.

While this list might be over, the possibilities are not. Several websites and blogs cater their content to college students, so finding easy recipes can truly just be a click away. This means that even in college, we can enjoy comfort foods such as tomato soup, grilled cheese and more unique flavors such as curry and Asian stir-fry. So, if you haven’t already, stop by your local grocery and get some good food to prepare a meal that is sure to brighten your day!

The signs as bad tattoos

Once upon a time at Tinkham Vale University Center at Case Western Reserve University, there was a(n) _____________[adjective] atmosphere buzzing with excitement. Students _____________ [verb ending in -ing] around, their backpacks bulging with textbooks and snacks.

Inside the center, the aroma of freshly brewed _____________ [beverage] wafted through the air, tempting weary students to take a break from their studies. The walls were adorned with colorful posters advertising upcoming events, from a(n) _____________ [adjective] poetry slam to a(n) _____________ [adjective] karaoke night.

In the main hall, a group of students gathered around a table covered in _____________ [plural noun], engaging in a heated game of _____________ [noun]. Laughter echoed off the walls as players strategized and schemed to outwit their opponents.

Meanwhile, in the corner, a talented

musician strummed their guitar, filling the space with melodic tunes. Their music provided the perfect backdrop for students curled up in cozy armchairs, lost in the pages of their favorite _____________ [plural noun].

Outside, the sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the courtyard where students lounged on benches, soaking up the _____________ [adjective] weather. Some played frisbee, others simply enjoyed the chance to bask in the sunshine and recharge before diving back into their studies.

As the day turned to evening, the energy at Tinkham Vale University Center only intensified. The scent of _____________ [food item] filled the air as hungry students lined up at the food court, eager to refuel before heading off to their next adventure.

And so, the vibrant spirit of Tinkham Vale University Center at Case Western Reserve University lived on, a hub of activity and excitement where

memories were made and friendships flourished amidst the hustle and bustle of university life.

As the sun began to set, the Tinkham Vale University Center transformed into a(n) _____________ [adjective] wonderland of lights and laughter. The courtyard twinkled with fairy lights, casting a magical glow over the gathering students. From the stage, the sound of a(n) _____________ [adjective] band filled the air, drawing in crowds of dancers eager to show off their moves. In one corner, a makeshift photo booth beckoned with silly props and goofy hats, capturing the moments of joy and camaraderie shared among friends. And amidst it all, the aroma of freshly baked _____________ [plural noun] from a nearby cafe tempted passersby with promises of sweet indulgence. It was a scene straight out of a(n) _____________ [adjective] fairy tale, where every corner held the promise of adventure and enchantment.

Overheard CWRU

"And

"It was extra holy not extra spiritual."

What We've Been Listening To

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Swimming (Visualizer)

Bonjour

Tyler Vu/The

84% of CWRU undergraduate students are involved in research: What’s the big deal?

Gloria Liu Contributing Writer

You’ve been slumped in the same chair for two hours now, eagerly waiting for your experiment to finish running. You could continue working on that paper, but truly, you have no focus—or will for that matter—left. Outside, the sun is shining for the first time in who knows how long—you haven’t been counting the days—and a group of friends are seemingly galloping their way across Cornell Road. They’re living a life of bliss and all you want is for tangible, significant results to materialize.

Sound familiar? During the darkest of times in research, it’s easy to lose sight of why we’re engaged in it in the first place. I bet it was incredibly exciting at first—the prospect of taking part in real-world developments and traversing into previously uninvestigated territory. But after a while, some may begin to ponder, “Perhaps I had overglamorized it all; perhaps research, at least longitudinally, may not be worth it for me in the end.”

Yet, here we are. The statistics remain strong: According to the 2022 First Destination Survey, a whopping 83% of respondents indicated they were involved in research or a creative endeavor. As indicated on Case Western Reserve University’s Undergraduate Admissions site, 84% of undergraduate students are involved in research, with many students involved in it through their capstone experience. What does this tell us? First, fear not—you’re certainly not alone in this journey. But more glaringly, despite the complications and trials we may face, most of us continue on. All these revelations raise a few questions: What exactly is the inherent value students and faculty alike find in research? And is research really that important?

I talked to Sheila Pedigo, director of CWRU’s Undergraduate Research Office (URO), to obtain her insight: “The experience of being part of discovering something [and] developing new knowledge is in itself exciting. Research is always about creating new knowledge … That really is what research is,” Pedigo remarks. “The skills you develop are going to be helpful anywhere. Talking to people in and outside of the field [helps you develop] great communication skills,” not to mention “writing, working with other people, working on your own … all of these are just great skills to develop that will serve [college] students well.”

As CWRU students, we hold immense privilege. It’s paramount we understand that these unique opportunities aren’t available to most students in the nation. In hindsight, many students in the U.S. alone may find it challenging to engage with their education in ways CWRU allows us to be, especially in environments such as large state schools with a potential lack of individualized attention. Above all, we have access to one of the greatest resources: mentorship. Though the word “networking” may be employed more prominently by those seeking internships, it still applies

to research from a holistic standpoint, perhaps with even greater opportunity for the mentor-mentee relationship to positively affect the student beyond their undergraduate studies. The staff at CWRU are here to help you—not just with your coursework but with your preparation for a career and/or postgraduation life. Their advice and guidance are indispensable and, as Pedigo affirmed, “you cannot overstate that relationship with your faculty mentor.”

What’s more, research teaches students to employ critical thinking skills and “introduc[es you] to your discipline,” an undertaking “that’s very different from the classroom experience,” Pedigo explains. The attributes and competencies required to be “successful” in research may be vastly distinct from what propelled you to flourish in the traditional university curriculum. What’s acquired through extensive involvement in research can’t be taught through a few lectures. It’s why the experience can distinguish you from someone else who looks exactly the same on paper—with an emphasis on “can,” as it’s ultimately what you take away from the experience rather than the experience itself.

Further, the concept of research productivity can be misleading. It’s a dreaded phrase among graduate program applicants and may even be enough to drive students away from pursuing a full-time career in research. In the midst of these negative connotations, and though it may seem counterintuitive, you’ll thank yourself later for going with your genuine passions rather than fixating on the number of posters or publications you could accumulate. Frankly, research isn’t meant to be a sprint. It would be unwise to expect concrete results simply because you were uncannily dedicated for a month or two. Comparatively, putting time and effort into a project you care about makes it a lot easier. After all, advancements in research aren’t dependent on your own will but rather the untreaded waters of the knowledge abyss. If we already knew everything there is to know, well, our educational endeavors would be quite lackluster. Pedigo encourages students currently struggling with research: “Everyone struggles with research … Students always tell me they’re surprised about how slow it goes. That’s part of the learning experience of undergraduate research … the recognition, the appreciation for and the respect for how slow the process can be; the patience that’s needed and the appreciation for people who do this day in and day out.”

Research is certainly not a requirement for every undergraduate student. There are so many facets of our education here at CWRU besides research that allow each and every one of us to hone in on our unique strengths and interests, such as musical ensembles, Teaching Licensures and BakerNord Center for the Humanities creative writing projects. Pedigo adds that “in terms of experiential education experiences, we have internships, co-ops, study abroad, civic engagement … Most CWRU

students report that they participate in more than one experiential education experience!” However, for those who’ve had any sort of inclination to jump into research, you might want to give it a shot. Pedigo strongly suggests students new to research to “attend the All About Finding Research sessions” hosted by URO.

How many of the 84% can truly say they find research to be inextricably linked with their college education? It’s a question to ponder in relation to your own ventures, and,

perhaps, in the context of CWRU as a whole. Do you want research to be something more? Or do you want to set your distance? Either way, taking the time to consider what role you want research to play in your professional life is worthwhile. Nonetheless, CWRU advocates for research because it encourages us to truly “think beyond the possible.” My personal opinion is this: Even if our motto hasn’t struck with you just yet, I can almost guarantee that research will open your eyes to the wonders of academia.

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The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.

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Entertainment tech is too good for our own good

Jessica Kwasny Staff Writer

While walking around campus, I often feel like I’m in a peculiar kind of silent disco. The majority of students— myself included—pop earbuds in as soon as lecture ends and immediately hustle to the next activity. On several occasions, the music blasting from my own earbuds has caused me to miss when my friends call out to say “hello” as I’m crossing KSL Oval or the Case Quad; yet, the perpetual supply of music suggestions from my AI Spotify DJ makes it difficult to break the habit. I could dismiss these lost interactions as insignificant, but I think they reflect the larger phenomenon that we are allowing technology to isolate ourselves from other people.

Technologies such as radio, text messaging and video calls have, from their early days, carried the promise of connecting the world. And in some ways, they have succeeded in doing so. It is incredible that we can chat with family and friends from across the globe in real time whenever we please. In healthcare, the implementation of telehealth appointments has improved accessibility and convenience of the services for which it is appropriate. Most plainly, the recent pandemic demonstrated the utility of video conferencing platforms in situations where in-person interactions aren’t realistic.

Despite these benefits, technology is driving us apart in other ways. Experts recognize that the U.S. population is experiencing what has been coined an “epidemic of loneliness.” A 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, states that “approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, with some of the highest rates among young adults.” Notably, one U.S. study included in the advisory found that individuals who report spending more

than two hours per day on social media were nearly twice as likely to report feelil isolation relative to those who only use social media for half an hour or less.

While it’s clear that spending too much time online literally reduces the time we can 55 interacting with others and with the world around us, there are certain aspects of advancing technologies that makes them particularly effective at drawing us into social isolation.

For one, up-and-coming tech products promise more captivating experiences than before. Think of the new Apple Vision Pro, a virtual reality (VR) headset. Apple itself claims that the “immersive” device can put you “right inside the action” of games and movies, “[transforming] any room into your own personal theater.” Why spend time outdoors when you can view your photos and videos in a complete panorama so that you “feel like you’re standing right where you took them?” Why make a 15-minute trip to visit your friends if your digital “Persona” can transmit a realistic representation of your face and hand movements? In essence, the experience of a virtual life is being sold to us as superior to real life.

There are some predictions that the product won’t achieve widespread success, especially given its current $3,499 price tag, goofy appearance and potential social disapproval. Admittedly, even though the Vision Pro is not the first product of its kind, walking around using augmented reality devices is still far from the norm. However, Apple’s push to make it the next household tech appliance is a reflection of how hyper-engaging, socially isolating technology will continue occupying more space in our lives.

Even though I am skeptical of exceptionally engaging entertainment technologies, I imagine that I, too, would fall victim to spending countless hours using their extraordinary

features if I were to have the opportunity. It really could be awesome to experience movies, concerts and video calls with a VR headset. But this is precisely the outcome that concerns me most: Virtual entertainment is becoming so enticing that we are losing our freedom to choose whether we want to engage with it or not.

This phenomenon is observable even in the absence of fancy, cuttingedge devices. Consider that survey data from 2022 by Pew Research Center found that 35% of teens report using at least either YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook “almost constantly.” Or that the endless, personalized content provided in the

Searching for jobs from page 1

There are two general formats for how to write this story: chronologically or functionally. Chronological resumes place job history at the top of the resume, with the most recent jobs placed first. These resumes are easy to read and best for those with a clear internship or career goal in mind. On the other hand, functional resumes highlight skills and accomplishments and are useful for those with fewer relevant job experiences or who are looking to apply outside of their main field. And if you don’t have as much work experience through internships as your classmates—or any at all—don’t worry; you can always add relevant class or personal projects or play up your interpersonal skills. Part of getting a job involves being able to communicate and work well with others. That is just as valuable as technical knowledge.

Moreover, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room. If you’ve applied to an internship or job recently, chances are you might have seen an option to opt out of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in candidate selection. The truth is, AI is becoming more practical—and lucrative—for companies looking to streamline their candidate selection processes. According to the 2023 Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Usage Report, over 97% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS, which is an automated recruitment tool such as Workday or Greenhouse. We can’t get around these systems, so we need to learn how to work with them. A good way to make sure you don’t get

automatically rejected is to personalize your resume to each job posting; look at the keywords, such as the skills the company emphasizes, and add them to your resume. The more keywords, the better.

Let’s also talk about networking.

This is a skill that everyone will have to learn at some point in their lives. In essence, networking is about talking to people in the field or industry you’re interested in. Maybe you got the name of an expert in your field of study from a friend or a family member. Utilize that

short-form videos of TikTok and Instagram Reels trigger patterns of dopamine release in the brain that drive social media addiction, on top of the fact that they leverage the social appeal of likes and followers. Or that people can now opt to spend time chatting with their Snapchat AI bot instead messaging real people.

Ultimately, the exciting possibilities that new technological developments are offering come at the cost of us withdrawing from one another. It is too easy to shell out more time and attention to our digital devices than to the people around us. Take a minute to check in on your tech and social media usage—your relationships are worth it.

connection. They are vital.

If you don’t have any contacts at the moment, don’t worry. You can always ask around. Consider talking to a professor that you know; they’ve been through the exact scenario that you’re going through right now. They probably know at least one person—if not many—whom you could contact for job opportunities. Maybe a family member or a family friend knows someone. The world is so vast and interconnected that there will almost always be someone you can talk to who can set you up with a job opportunity, so don’t be afraid to reach out.

While looking for and applying to jobs is important, you also need to learn how to pace yourself.

The job search process can be long and exhausting. You don’t have to apply to everything all at once. Try to get at least a few applications in each week or reach out to a few contacts. Don’t overwhelm yourself. And as always, CWRU has an abundance of resources to learn from. The Career Center is especially helpful: You can have your resume reviewed or set up an appointment with faculty trained to help students look for professional opportunities.

Lastly, if you’re feeling discouraged, be sure to give yourself some grace. Finding jobs isn’t easy. You have to learn a plethora of skills, some of which you’ve never had to utilize before. But no matter what kind of internship or job you’re looking for, with time and patience, you’ll eventually get to where you want to be.

Lucas Yang/The Observer

Tyler Vu/The Observer

Spartans take third place overall in UAA Wrestling Championship

Puneet Bansal Sports Editor

After a long season of competitions, the Case Western Reserve University wrestling team has found some success in their recent postseason events. Multiple Spartan wrestlers put on fantastic displays at the John Carroll University Open on Feb. 11 in preparation for the UAA Championships that were held this past Saturday, Feb. 17 in New York City. The Spartans came in at third place with 45.5 points led by firstyear sensation Simon Bishop.

At the JCU Open, second-year Thomas Wagner took a podium position in the 157-pound bracket. He reached the semifinals with two straight wins. He first bested Ryan Forrest after notching his fourth technical fall of the season to take the 17-2 victory. He followed this up with a win over Justin Ritchie through a major decision 12-1. In the semifinal, however, Wagner fell to a 10-9 decision against Iain Escobar. In the consolation semifinals, Wagner bounced back with a 6-1 decision over Forrest to reach the third-place match. He faced off against Ritchie again, earning 3 points via a takedown and 4 points from a nearfall. After the last two rounds, Wagner took the third place match 12-0 from major decision. He thus concluded the day with a 4-1 record to improve his season to 13-8.

First-year Mathew Gummere and graduate student Stephen Andryc also reached the consolation semifinal rounds of their respective weight classes. In the 174-pound bracket, Gummere won two close matches. The first was a sudden victory by 9-6. After falling in the quarterfinal by 2-1 decision, he won the next two matches 19-2 and 11-2 to reach the consolation semifinals. Gummere took the consolation semifinal 3-2. Andryc meanwhile won his first match by fall in 3:41 in the 197-pound bracket and then defeated his next opponent 5-1. Andryc lost his next match by major decision and ended up losing the consolation semifinals by decision, ending the day 2-2.

Bishop stole the show at the UAA Championships this past weekend, placing second in the 174-pound weight class. The competing athletes went through a round-robin format against a maximum of six other wrestlers. Bishop started off the day with a win by major decision, setting up his first ever UAA title match. He ended up losing by technical fall and placed second to finish the day 1-1. Gummere, who also wrestled in this weight class, placed third via major decision.

For his impressive performances throughout the season, Bishop was named the UAA Rookie of the Year. So far, he has won 19 matches, including 18-10 in the 174-pound weight class and 1-0 in the 197 bracket. 8 of these wins were by pins and 3 were by

technical falls. This is the eighth time a Spartan wrestler has received this award, the previous time being given to CWRU alumnus Adam Kates in 2019.

Contributing to CWRU’s third place overall performance at the conference championships was second-year Art Martinez, who competed in the 141-pound bracket. He first defeated New York University’s Danny Lightfoot 19-1 by technical fall in 4:55. He then bested University of Chicago’s Keaton Mayernik by fall in 2:10. Martinez then took on UChicago’s Sean Conway for the UAA title. Though Martinez led 4-1 in the second period, Conway tied it at 4-4 with a takedown. Conway then earned an escape to push the match into overtime following the third period, eventually handing Martinez second place by a point on sudden victory.

To round out the day, graduate stu-

dent Mitchell Arch competed in the 165-pound weight class, finishing the day with a 1-2 record after winning against NYU’s Hassan Khan in 3:30 with his 24th pin of the season. With this win, Arch now stands at an overall career record of 105-55, becoming the 14th wrestler in Spartan history to cross the 100-win milestone.

CWRU finished the day with 45.5 team points for the overall third place. NYU earned the UAA title with 146.5 team points while UChicago took second with 118.5 points.

The Spartans will travel to Ada, Ohio to compete in the NCAA Central Regional Championship from March 1-2. Competitors that placed in the top three of their weight class will advance to the NCAA Championships held on March 15-16 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

During the UAA Wrestling Championship, first-year Simon Bishop was named Rookie of the Year after a successful first season with the Spartans. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

Undefeated weekend lifts men’s basketball to 20-4, No. 5 in DIII ranking

Marvin Lee Staff Writer

A nail-biter and a blowout gave the Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team two wins at home over their “Throwback Weekend,” while New York University went 1-1 over the same stretch, putting CWRU back in the driver’s seat in the UAA. If the Spartans emerge victorious over longtime rival Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. at home, they will clinch at least a share of their second-straight UAA Championship.

Other good news resulting from the weekend included a fifth UAA Athlete of the Week for graduate student guard Anthony Mazzeo, who earlier in the week earned a spot on the Top50 Bevo Francis Watch List—the Bevo Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Mazzeo had an outstanding performance over the weekend, recovering from a minor hand injury in the Brandeis University game to average 27 points, 6.5 assists, and 4 rebounds between both games. He also shot 47.7% from the floor (21-44), 40.0% from 3-point range (6-15) and 66.7% from the free throw line (6-9). Mazzeo matched his season high with a 30-point effort in an 86-85 win over Emory University on Friday, Feb. 16, shooting 12-of-24 from the floor and making 5-of-9 on 3-point attempts while collecting 5 rebounds and 4 assists. In Sunday’s 99-70 win over the University of Rochester, Mazzeo scored 24 points on a 9-of-20 shooting effort overall and dished out a career-high 9 assists with 3 rebounds. The Spartans put together two impressive performances behind the play of Mazzeo, once again proving themselves as one of the best teams in the nation—for their efforts, CWRU earned a No. 5 spot in the NCAA’s first national ranking for NCAA Division III, likely indicating that they would be hosting regional first and second round

matchups at Horsburgh Gymnasium in less than two weeks.

The weekend started with a Friday night matchup against Emory, whom the Spartans had previously bested in January at Emory when the Eagles were ranked No. 22. Emory has had a rough stretch since then but still presented a formidable challenge. CWRU donned the red uniforms of the Western Reserve University Red Cats in the first of their two throwback games. Mazzeo and third-year forward Umar Rashid gave the squad a lift late in the first half in what had been a razor-thin game. Mazzeo hit a jumper as the clock winded down to give CWRU a 47-39 lead heading into the locker room.

The Spartans emerged from the locker room inspired, pushing their lead to 11 with around 16 minutes left in the contest. But in a foreshadowing of what was to come, Emory simply would not give up without a fight. The Eagles trimmed the lead to 4 with around 13 minutes left in the game. Opposing runs culminated in a 4:28 scoreless stretch for CWRU that Emory used to climb all the way to a 2 point lead over the Spartans, 84-82, with 1:42 left. Graduate student forward Colin Kahl broke the streak with just over a minute left after a layup that tied the game at 84. Emory was fouled with 19 seconds left and made one to push the Eagles ahead by 1, 85-84.

Coach Todd McGuinness quickly drew up a play on the ensuing CWRU timeout, which the Spartans executed flawlessly. After a series of movements and screens, Mazzeo drove down the right lane and faked a layup to draw Kahl’s defender off of him, giving Mazzeo the opportunity to dish it to him for a layup that made the score 8685 with 8.3 seconds left.

The bench and fans celebrated, but the game was not yet finished. Emory called a timeout and fought valiantly for the final 8.3 seconds. Emory guard/ forward Jair Knight (who finished the game with 29 points) drove down the lane and turned around for a heav-

In CWRU men’s basketball game against the University of Rochester, third-year forward Umar Rashid contributed 8 points, 1 assist and 7 rebounds, allowing the Spartan team to win 99-70.

Courtesy of CWRU Athletics

ily contested jumper that bounced off the rim into the hands of an Emory player whose point-blank putback attempt was just short. CWRU narrowly escaped the contest with the 86-85 win. In addition to the game-winning layup, Kahl finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and a season-high 5 assists.

Heading into the Sunday contest against Rochester, CWRU expected a slugfest despite Rochester being on the lower end of the UAA standings because of the way the Spartans’ game at Rochester had gone: a 75-73 win by CWRU in one of their lowest scoring outputs of the season. This contest went the exact opposite of that.

Donning the brown uniforms of the Case Institute of Technology Rough Riders, the team had a suboptimal start to the matchup, falling behind the Yellowjackets early 16-12. Perhaps realizing that they were facing an inferior opponent and knowing that a loss would be dismal to their UAA title chances, the Rough Riders responded with an 11-0 run fueled by 7 points from graduate student guard Preston Maccoux, who came off the bench to score 21 points total in the contest, including 4 3-pointers.

The Yellowjackets stung CWRU with a stretch that saw the Spartans’ lead disappear as Rochester tied the game at 32 with 4:33 left in the half. Both

teams traded baskets for the final four minutes of the half, but the Spartans came out ahead, taking a 46-40 lead at the half despite the Yellowjackets scoring the final 3 points of the period.

The Yellowjackets flew back to a respectable 3-point deficit within the first three minutes of the second half. That’s all she wrote on the Yellowjackets, however, as in a blink of an eye the game turned into a blowout. Kahl, Maccoux and Mazzeo combined for 65 points in the game as they formed the backbone of a run that put the Spartans ahead of Rochester by as many as 31 points in the closing minutes of the game. The checking in of the reserves singled the essential end of the contest with around three minutes remaining. The crowd gave the starters a standing ovation and enjoyed a glimpse of the future of Spartan basketball as the lineup of all first-years extended the lead to 31 on an inbounds steal and layup from first-year guard Charlie Fox with 32 ticks left on the clock. After a Yellowjackets layup, the Spartans dribbled the ball out and secured the 99-70 win.

CWRU will be in action next on Saturday versus CMU, where the Spartans will honor their eight seniors and graduate students appearing in their final game with a special “Senior Day” celebration prior to the contest in Horsburgh Gymnasium.

Scores and Upcoming Games

Baseball

CWRU at Washington and Jefferson (2/23)

CWRU vs Ithaca (2/25)

CWRU vs Mount Union (2/25)

Swimming and Diving

CWRU at UAA Championships (2/14-17)

Men’s team: 6th of 8 teams (812.5 points)

Women’s team: 5th of 8 teams (943.5 points)

CWRU at Midwest Invitational (2/23-24)

Women’s Tennis

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (2/24)

CWRU vs Otterbein (2/25)

CWRU vs Oberlin (2/25)

Men’s Basketball

CWRU vs Emory (2/16) - W 86-85

CWRU vs Rochester (2/18) - W 99-70

CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (2/24, 3 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

Men’s Tennis

CWRU at Oberlin (2/17) - W 9-0

CWRU at Illinois Tech (2/17) - W 9-0

CWRU at ITA DIII National Indoor Championship

CWRU vs UChicago (2/23)

Track and Field

CWRU vs Ed Finnigan Greater Cleveland Colleges Invite (2/16) - no team scoring

CWRU at UAA Indoor Championships (2/24-25)

Wrestling

CWRU at UAA Championships (2/17)3rd of 3 teams (45.5 points)

Women’s Basketball

CWRU vs Emory (2/16) - L 71-83

CWRU vs Rochester (2/18) - W 83-68

CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (2/24, 1 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)