Grad Guide 2021

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GRAD GUIDE 2021

LIFESTYLE

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Column: Reflections of a transfer student Editor

Graduating is bittersweet.

On one hand, I’m excited to close this chapter of my story and see where life may take me moving forward. Yet, I will be losing that sense of structure and validation that school has given me throughout my life.

As my time at Cal State Fullerton comes to an end, I am reminiscing on the start of my journey to a bachelor’s degree as a transfer student whose time was cut short.

I arrived at CSUF in the fall

of 2019 after receiving my associates degree in communications at Riverside City College.

The excitement from reading my acceptance letter was overwhelming because it signified my social and academic progression.

Life at a community college was isolating because I made it so. I worked hard to maintain my 3.8 GPA. I was always taking courses during winter and summer terms. I began my college career with a working mindset and I had no intentions of building relationships in an institution that was simply a stepping stone — all I had to do

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KARINA GUTIERREZ

“

“My short stint on campus did not allow me the opportunity to develop an attachment to the university.”

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KARINA GUTIERREZ

was pass my classes and leave.

But when I began my transfer process to CSUF, I decided to leave that attitude behind. I believe that was my mistake.

My days on campus were

short-lived. I only walked the tracks of the university for a total of five months and a half.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, in the most privileged way possible, it felt unfair; as though the rug had been pulled out from underneath me.

This new outlook I had instilled was being wasted while I was stuck in a Zoom meeting.

And I began to realize that I had never experienced CSUF as much as I should have because I thought that I had so much time ahead of me.

I could not help but compare my journey to those that had entered CSUF right after high school. They would reference their specific experiences, and I could not relate. Those encounters made me feel inferior to my peers even though I knew that I deserved to be there as much as they did.

I never explored the arboretum in a lazy daze, walking along the dirt paths that were adorned by native Californian plants. I did not get the chance to participate in social gatherings the way that I had wished.

My short stint on campus did not allow me the opportunity to develop an attachment to the university.

Yet, despite the lack of prospects during my last year of college, I was able to make connections that I hope will last.

My position at the school newspaper bridged the gap between my losses and the relationships

I deeply carved.

The people I met have created an attachment to CSUF that I would not have developed otherwise.

My experience is not unique.

According to Campus Reel, 46% of the entire student body are transfer students. But some have continued their habits of keeping to themselves in a commuter school — making it difficult to enjoy their college career.

Without my participation in an organization, my existence at CSUF would have been all the more secluded and I would have left the school with nothing except a piece of paper that has my name printed on it.

Now as I gather my regalia and prepare for commencement, I realize that to live life always expecting more is unproductive. We anticipate having new opportunities the next day without taking into consideration that it could be seized from our clutches at any moment.

I learned to live every day as though I am taking a slow stroll around a garden — stopping every so often to bask in the speckled sunlight that peaks through the leaves of the tree that hangs over me.

In my two years here, I have collected moments which have taught me to not take what I have today for granted, even if I believe I can do them tomorrow.

3 There’s no shame in moving back home OPINION

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Living with parents is a viable option given the current housing crisis.

ROBERTO ROMERO Staff Writer

Having to move back in with parents after college graduation often stigmatizes graduates as lazy, lacking responsibility and incapable of being self-sufficient.

However, as financial independence has become tougher during the COVID-19 pandemic and forced many into harsh circumstances, there needs to be a greater acceptance and normalization of moving back home.

According to a 2019 survey by TD Ameritrade, 50% of young millennials ages 22 to 28, who along with Gen Z make up the “boomerang generation,” plan to move back home with their parents after college.

The same survey also reported that not only were graduates moving back home, but that 31% planned on living at home for more than two years.

Living at home has become a necessity especially for students who have acquired a large amount of student loan debt during their college careers. Rising tuition costs have placed a burden on students and their families, forcing them to

make sacrifices like moving back in. Young adults who move back with their parents are wrongfully shamed for making responsible financial decisions that will ultimately allow them to afford college and have a better chance at success.

Student loan debt, increased by the rising costs of college tuition, is a major contributing factor behind the monumental increase of college grads returning home to live with their parents. According to Investopedia, the tuition for a public four-year university in the United States has tripled over the last 30 years and has more than doubled for private four-year universities. In 2020, the average student loan debt was over $37,000, and combined, college grads owe $1.6 trillion.

This unfortunate truth is leaving some college graduates in a sea of debt that they may never be able to swim out of and instead slowly sinking them as their loans accumulate interest. It is projected that at the current rate, college graduates could owe $2 trillion in student loans by 2024 and $3 trillion by 2038.

Unlike the cost of tuition, the national wage growth rate has continued to fall well below its target of 4% to a meager 0.3%, according to

the Economic Policy Institute. The low wage growth rate over the last 10 years coupled with rising tuition has made it increasingly difficult for students to pay back loans and has delayed major life decisions like buying a home and moving out of their parents’. Based on this data, college graduates would drive themselves further into debt if they had to pay for rent, bills, food and other living expenses like insurance and costs of owning a car.

Without a job that pays well above the minimum wage or financial help from parents, it is much more difficult to survive life after college. The expectation that all college graduates are equipped to sustain this amount of financial independence is absurd.

Even after freeing themselves of debt, college graduates still face another hurdle: the second housing crisis in 12 years. And to make matters worse, this housing crisis occurred during the pandemic.

Between a historic housing shortage and record high selling prices, the dream of home ownership is slowly getting further out of reach for college graduates. According to an article by Insider, the housing shortage is the result of contractors underbuilding over the past

dozen years, lumber shortage and the pandemic.

Simply put, there are not enough homes being built.

Even if college graduates are able to lock down a job after school, they still have to compete with other buyers in a scarce housing market that boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to historically low mortgage rates.On top of student debt, graduates can expect to pay 39% more for their dream home than boomers did 40 years ago.

For a recent college graduate without a full-time job set in place, moving back in with family can be a sound financial move with obvious benefits — especially when the economy is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if parents are requiring rent, a single room at their house is still cheaper than an entire apartment or mortgage.

Of course, this opportunity also comes with some disadvantages; privacy and independence would be among the many sacrifices college graduates would have to make. At times it may be challenging to stay calm when it feels like parents are encroaching on adulthood when they question those late nights out.

But ultimately the decision to live with mom and dad isn’t forever. This time

GRAD GUIDE 2021

could be used to analyze the career landscape and create a blueprint to obtain a high-paying job, and in no time, enough money will have been saved up to move out and see those major life decisions carried out.

Living with parents makes it possible to live off the salary of a typical entry-level job. It gives graduates the opportunity to save money for long-term financial goals like paying off their student debt or buying a home. Instead of struggling to make ends meet every month, students should swallow their pride and ignore society’s expectations by making wise financial decisions that will set them up for success in the long term.

Although this living arrangement isn’t for everyone and should be considered carefully, the potential for new graduates to free themselves of a substantial amount of debt far outweighs the trouble of having to bump elbows with parents for a year or two. It is a step that could be the first towards financial freedom and being a truly independent adult.

There is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about moving back home — you won’t be the first to do it and you certainly won’t be the last.

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GRAD GUIDE 2021

OPINION

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Graduation celebrations are strenuous Traditional ceremonies and parties aren’t worth the time and money.

NICOLE TRINIDAD Editor

The spring 2021 semester is coming to a close and students are hurriedly finishing their finals, projects and other assignments required to pass, many are also preparing for the celebration that solidifies all their hard work: graduation.

Graduation is defined as “the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma,” offering students a long-awaited credential for the time and effort they’ve spent working for the hopes to amplify their career opportunities.

What this definition doesn’t detail is the unnecessary expectations graduates face after finishing their requirements. Graduation has become yet another milestone to profit off of that sets poor standards new graduates supposedly should follow to celebrate their efforts.

Schools across the country hold ceremonies for their graduating class that can end up being the most boring and taxing part of the process.

Schools find the largest facilities to seat all the students, and many host the ceremony outside in the blazing summer heat with thousands of people.

Students are required to line

(CINDY PROAÑO / DAILY TITAN) up in a certain order, dress in their cap and gown appropriately and plan for parking, and this doesn’t even include the time it takes to capture photos and meet with friends and family.

Graduation ceremonies can range from 90-120 minutes, mostly consisting of students sitting together like packed sardines and listening to different presenters speak. The seating arrangement is based on major and alphabetical order, so students don’t even get the option of sitting with who they want. The area for guests is so large, finding friends and loved ones is a daunting task.

The speakers, at the very least, are the school’s faculty, academic board, chancellor and valedictorian, basically the large figureheads of the school. The ceremony consists

of them talking about the school’s accomplishments as a whole and not focusing on any particular department, making it hard for students to relate or find meaning when they don’t feel a part of the discussion.

There is nothing to gain from these lengthy speeches given other than the few that give advice for life after graduation — and that’s assuming everyone is still paying attention.

The best part of graduation is when each student gets to walk the stage and hear their name read while receiving their diploma. It’s the one time in the ceremony where everyone is individually recognized.

However, with thousands of names being called and family and friends sitting far away, it’s hard to share such a great achievement with the ones that matter during the ceremony.

Graduation ceremonies treat students like a number in their system. Everyone will have their name called out and follow strict rules to make the ceremony flow. This system makes sense for such a large group of people, but it devalues the experience for the individual graduating. It becomes less special if it’s tailored for everyone and not the person accomplishing that milestone.

Additionally, the costs of graduating is no small feat.

On average, high school and college graduates spend $300$2,500 on graduation and in 2020 most people that gave graduation gifts spent around $112. Spending money on caps and gowns, decorations, tassels, photographers/pictures, regalia, chords, medals, custom lawn signs, class rings, graduation fees and parties all add up very quickly just for a piece of paper.

All the added expenses and effort put toward a cookie-cutter way of celebrating an important milestone is draining and should not be the standard for everyone. Many students prior to graduating are stressed dealing with their final projects and assignments that dictate if they can even receive that diploma. It is unfair to expect them to put even more unwanted effort in looking happy for the cameras and bringing up bragging rights family.

With Cal State Fullerton finally holding in-person graduation ceremonies this year, many are relieved to experience the closure they wished for during such an uncertain time. Regardless, it is still not the same with having to pick only two people to attend as guests and having to see graduates’ clothed faces covering their smiles as they pick up their diploma.

And if COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is to take care of ourselves and our wellbeing. Graduating is a special time in most of our lives and is very much something to celebrate, but it doesn’t need to be under society’s, the school’s or anyone’s perceived expectations other than your own.

Celebrating should be up to the individual and what will make them feel the most rewarded after years of hard work, not decided by a system that uses this event for profit or outdated standards that set specific expectations.

While soon-to-be graduates are often expected to engage in all of the typical celebratory events and purchases of graduation; ultimately how the student wants to celebrate is what matters. Each graduating student has put in the time and effort to receive their diploma, and they don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars or spend two hours in blazing heat to prove it.

NEWS

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

GRAD GUIDE 2021

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Businesses prepare for graduation Commencement marks a profitable opportunity for many local shops.

MARIA MARQUEZ Staff Writer

As commencement approaches so do the traditions that come with it — graduation photos, decor and pastries — which all allow small businesses to once again profit.

Freelance photographer Costa Pappas said that having flexibility with his booking schedule allows him to be booked the day of, especially with how last minute everything has been because of COVID-19. Being available has allowed for more students to book with him for last minute graduation photo sessions, Pappas said.

“All photoshoots are done outdoors which limits the possibility of exposure,” Papas said. “Along with this, I am fully vaccinated and wear my mask throughout the duration of the photo shoot and the people I photograph are fully masked unless they’re actively taking a photo.”

This year, Pappas said he has definitely seen more clients and encourages graduates to take photos safely. Pappas said students will want to look back at

their graduation photos for the rest of their lives.

Lisa Huckemeyer, owner of OC Yard Greetings, said that she is extremely busy right now. According to the company’s website, the business provides custom made yard greetings for various occasions. The website states that the service includes design as well as limited contact by providing drop-off, set up and removal of signs.

“My business, as opposed to other yard signs business, is custom. For that reason I have the most graphics in Orange County. With OC Yard Greetings my customers don’t receive a generic birthday sign, the same one

that was put down the street for someone else,” Huckemeyer said. “My signs reflect each celebrant with regards to their favorite colors, hobbies and interests. I’m constantly adding new themes based on my customers suggestions.”

Huckemeyer said that running OC Yard Greetings is not a side-business but a full-time job. She said she hopes that her customers notice that she puts in 100% of her energy into each and every sign. According to the website, customers can book orders online through the website by filling out the contact sheet.

The website also has photos of previous signs available.

Huckemeyer said she is currently limited to Newport Beach and Costa Mesa only due to demand.

Lainie Queen, owner of Baked by the Queen, said she provides custom baked goods for all occasions, for graduations and specializes in logo cakes and cookies.

Queen told the Daily Titan via Instagram that her graduation orders have been mainly consistent with last years. She said she’s received a little less than the previous year but that orders tend to pick up closer to June.

“I would tell any graduate to celebrate safely this year. It’s an important occasion and there are so

OC Yard Greetings makes personalized signs for celebrations. (OC Yard Greetings)

many ways to make it special,” Queen said. “Memorable experience with my products is that everything is custom made to order.

My products can coordinate with the party theme, colors, names.”

Baked by the Queen currently provides cookies, cakes and bars as well as serves South Orange County from San Clemente to Newport Beach with delivery fees based on distance.

Although businesses have had to alter their services they are still able to provide graduates with a memorable experience by delivering products in a safe way as well as keeping the graduation spirits alive.

ALLISON IMLER

KAYLYN ALCARAZ

College of Communications

College of Communications

Awwy, I know this year was ruff for you, but I loved hanging out with you on Zoomies. I’m furry excited for our graduation. I hope you work from home fur-ever or get to take me into the paw-ffice. I woof you sooo much.

Your Family is so proud if you and all your hard work. The best is yet to come, God Bless your future!

Go Titans!

- Stelly Belly

MARÍA CARMEN GONZALEZ College of Humanities and Social Sciences

ANTHONY ROBLES

Where you stand today, at CSUF, is not just dreaming about success, but working for it.

Titans don’t just “reach higher” but also pass it forward. You can always send the elevator back down to help someone else. First-generation Latinx women breaking barriers :)

Congratulations Anthony! We know all the hard work you have put in to gain this achievement and we are all so very proud of you.

Resident Advisor

College of Communications

Love, Mom, Dad, Adrian & Alia

ALLISON IMLER

COURTNEY LAMBE

College of Communications

Words can’t describe how proud I am of you!! You are a kind soul with an impeccable work ethic, whatever the task, you always give it 200%. Like I have always told you, hard work pays off and you will reap the benefits for the rest of your life. You are destined for great things - dream big my beautiful girl!

We will be behind you all the way.

Ally, We could not be more proud of you and all that you have accomplished these past four years. We look forward to continuing to watch you grow and succeed beyond graduation.

Remember to always believe in yourself and TPWK ;)

College of Communications

AAF

-Your biggest cheerleaders Mom and Kane xxxxx

Love, Kelsey, Mommy, Stella, & Harry

ELISSA MEDRANO College of Health & Human Development Congratulations on your graduation baby girl!

We are so very proud of you. Words can’t express the pride and joy we feel. You deserve the very best out of life. You’ve earned it!

We love you.

Love, Mom, Dad & Family

DAILY TITAN STAFF

DAWSON LUJAN

An extra special CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Daily Titan graduates!

College of the Arts

You have worked incredibly hard to get to this moment and we are so proud of you. Here’s to the road ahead and always remember you’re a part of the Daily Titan family.

Dawson We are all so proud of your accomplishment!

We are so excited to see what the future brings for you!

Go on and reach for the stars!

Mom, Dad & Lauren

SARAH FONG College of the Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences My beautiful bestie, Sarah, I am the most proud of you for graduating with honors. You have grown so much since I first met you and the world is not ready for your strong and kind soul. When you think Tim McGraw, I hope you think of me. <3 ur boo, makenzoo

CHRISTOPHER HUTCHINSON College of Health & Human Development You reached a major milestone towards your goal of becoming a physical therapist. You have worked so hard. You grew in maturity and carry with you academic knowledge and spiritual wisdom.

We are very proud of your success in completing your degree with Magna Cum Laude.

Love, Mom & Dad

RYUTARO ICHIHARA College of Health & Human Development You embraced our American culture. A determined spirit, positive outlook, and a relentless pursuit for academic excellence illustrate your character. We love and cherish you for the man you’ve become. We are proud of all your achievements, including you’re becoming Magna Cum Laude!

Love, Chris, Lulu & Christopher

LAUREN WELLS

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

To our sweet Lauren, Words can’t completely express the joy we felt the day you were born. And words can’t express all the pride we feel for you and for all that you have accomplished. From the time that you were a little girl in Kindergarten and throughout the years, you have studied so hard and achieved honors. You graduated with Honors in High School and now you graduate with Honors in College. You are a Magna Cum Laude graduate. Wow! You are incredible! And we know there’s more to come. We are all so proud of the sweet, loving, caring, amazing young woman you have become.

We love you so much! Congratulations baby! Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Love, Mama, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa

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GRAD GUIDE 2021

LIFESTYLE

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Column: Keeping friends after college ANTHONY ROBLEDO Editor

For many students, graduating from college is a memorable and emotional experience that marks a new stage of one’s professional journey and validation for years of hard work and dedication.

It means the end of latenight study sessions, extensive Zoom lectures and rising tuition fees.

Painfully, it often means the end of strong relationships with friends you have met during your pursuit of higher education — the friends who made your college experience so memorable and motivated you when balancing school and work responsibilities felt like an impossible feat.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case; the end

“

“Be empathetic to yourself and your friends and understand that you don’t need to talk every day, week or month to stay friends.”

of college doesn’t have to mean the end of those relationships. Here are some things to know about staying friends with people once you’re no longer enrolled at an institution together.

The first and most obvious way to keep in touch with anyone is reaching out to them. Communication is key, but of course, this approach can look different for everyone. Whether it’s keeping up through social media, phone calls, video chats or writing letters, there are many ways nowadays to reach the people you want to stay close to.

Conversational topics may not spark as naturally now that you’re no longer at school together and the key is to not stress about it.

If you enjoy communicating with someone, then it doesn’t always matter what the conversation is about.

Not every conversation needs to be memorable, hilarious or dramatic. The most superficial discussions can be enough to keep a relationship thriving and prevent loneliness.

Finding moments to chat can pose another challenge as everyone heads indifferent directions in life. Scheduling conflicts or different time zones can make it very difficult to bond post-college. Address these conflicts with those you want to keep

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY ROBLEDO in contact with and arrange times to talk to each other.

Once you give up finding and making time for each other, your friendship is doomed. However, as long as you both put enough effort into communicating, your friendship will thrive.

Once you find those moments to chat, it’ll be tempting to always reminisce.

So embrace those moments — laugh and cry about the memories you both share, but make sure you show interest in the present as well.

Ideally, you and your friend will have new stories that you weren’t able to experience together. Share those unique memories, be interested in your friend’s current journey and talk

about the new friends you both made.

Be emotionally supportive and be available whenever they need to vent. Be someone they can talk to when they need life advice or just someone to listen to them.

What’s the point of a friendship if you can’t lean back on one another anymore?

One of the purest forms of friendship is sharing creative content. Whether that’s through music recommendations, TikTok videos or Instagram memes, sometimes just bonding over similar interests or humor is enough to keep a friendship alive.

Keep your friends in mind when you’re consuming content and if a meme makes you laugh, send it to a friend

who shares the same humor as you. It’s that easy.

Communicating through social media or phone calls is excellent for people with different schedules and busy lives. However, if you and your friend live nearby, you two should hang out in person.

Just because you’re not taking the same classes anymore doesn’t mean you’re in a long-distance relationship. As difficult as it may be to schedule hangouts, make time to get breakfast or see a movie.

Doing this will allow you to make new memories and spend time with the people you care about.

Most importantly, it’s crucial to ease the pressure of maintaining a solid relationship. After graduating from college, it’s perfectly normal for some friendships not to feel as strong.

Be empathetic to yourself and your friends and understand that you don’t need to talk every day, week or month to stay friends.

If they are a true friend, then it shouldn’t feel like a chore to visit them.

It’s perfectly justified to feel sad about leaving your friends, but rather than solely focusing on the “goodbye” aspect of graduation, be excited for each other and the upcoming chapter of your lives.

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NEWS

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

GRAD GUIDE 2021

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Virtual year raises networking concerns Some graduates worry they’re leaving with few connections.

TRAVIS JEPEWAY Editor

While Cal State Fullerton’s classes of 2020 and 2021 are preparing to walk across the graduation stage, some graduates reflect on their last year being away from campus and missing valuable college experiences.

“One of my favorite things about being on campus was meeting new people and actually getting to speak with them in person,” said Diana Encinas, graduating history major at CSUF, in an email to the Daily Titan. “I definitely feel like I missed out on the social aspect of my last year in university.”

Encinas said that due to virtual instruction, the lack of resources on campus, like the library, are among some of the things that she misses.

“I missed out on going to the library and the archives,” Encinas said. “The special collections at CSUF were primary source material that would allow us the students to actually touch history.”.

Jon Boardman, a graduating communications student, said in an email to the Daily Titan that he had just transferred to CSUF just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, and had limited campus

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TRAVIS JEPEWAY connections.

“Since transferring from my community college in the fall of 2019, I only got to experience campus life for a semester and a half,” Boardman said. “I have made zero friends in my time at CSUF; I have no one I can network with.

Boardman said that while messaging platforms such as Discord could have been useful to create connections with

fellow students, his experience showed that his classmates did not use the platform to network.

Adriana Garcia, a graduating psychology major, said that the lack of in-person engagement put students at a disadvantage when it came to forming connections with their professors.

“If you’re looking for a career and stuff it’s good to

have a mentor for you, because we’re asked for letters of recommendation for grad school,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that not being able to do research with the professors and receive guidance in person also put students at a disadvantage.

“Having those research opportunities, especially for a psych major, if you’re wanting to go into that side of the field,

it kind of hinders you,” Garcia said.

Encinas said she is not as concerned about the job market after graduation, since she already has three interviews lined up. Students like Garcia, however, said that having online classes for the last year and not being able to get hands-on experience has left her worried.

“I feel like I’m mostly prepared but at the same time, like the classes that I was interested in, that would have helped me, I think it’s going to be a little bit difficult applying that to the job field just because I feel like I’m not retaining anything as much as I used to be able to,” Garcia said.

Mark Dust, professor of public health at CSUF, said that students shouldn’t worry too much about the lack of hands-on experience because employers mostly look at degrees as evidence of one’s ability to stick with something and complete long term projects.

Dust said that employers should be cognizant of the challenges new graduates have faced over the past year.

“My advice to new graduates would be to play up how they adapted and overcame the adversity faced over the past year and roll that into how they can take those lessons and apply them to their new job when faced with challenges,” Dust said.

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GRAD GUIDE 2021

OPINION

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Summer classes ease heavy workloads JESSICA AITKEN Staff Writer

Students should weigh their options when it comes to a hefty course load and scheduling classes. Between balancing classes, studying, work, internships, relationships and self-care, one’s energy tank can run low for students juggling a heap of responsibilities. One educational opportunity that more college students need to consider is taking summer courses.

Cal State Fullerton offers classes in all subjects that count toward undergraduate and master’s degrees, whether it be for general education courses, collateral courses or major courses. The stress of completing all five classes each semester to graduate in four years can be trimmed down to four classes per semester, allowing students to have a wider bandwidth for learning and retaining class material.

Summer classes are imperative for students who want to graduate on time, as well

as anyone pursuing a double major/minor, or students who take four classes each semester so they can maintain a flexible schedule with other activities. Those struggling to keep up with five classes each semester should consider summer courses. With a student’s mental health declining due to external pressures, taking summer courses could relieve some of that stress.

Even if students do not think that summer courses would benefit them because they can handle a typical semester’s course load, they

MARGARET TRAN / DAILY TITAN

should also be aware that summer courses provide opportunities to explore their career paths. Whether that is through the arts, learning about a history topic, taking a computer science class or learning about the basics of business or economics, summer session offers an abundance of fresh learning opportunities that look great on resumes.

CSUF offers five sessions for summer school, sessions A, B, C, D and E. The classes range from 5-10 weeks, much faster than a typical semester, but one can knock out classes during the summer session and that would ease their schedule throughout the fall and spring semesters.

University students should explore this possibility rather than cramming all of their classes into the typical semesters.

Furthermore, with mental health worsening for some college students, summer school would offer those who need a lighter load the leeway to pace themselves with classes.

General education classes, typically deemed easier compared to major courses, are also offered during the summer session and would help get some of those classes out of the way. This not only benefits students but also the university because when students have better mental

health, they are less likely to drop out.

While more students should take summer courses and consider what good it could do for their lives, CSUF needs to offer more accessible summer courses and better financial aid for these classes. As of now, CSUF does not offer financial assistance for summer sessions unless students take up to six units, which discourages students from having the capability to ease their semester workload.

CSUF needs to take a look at their priorities, put the students’ education first and assess what they can do to lower the cost of summer sessions or provide financial aid for those who only want to take one summer class or less than six units. This change would drive more students to the university goal of having all their students graduate within four years, including taking summer courses under their new initiative ‘Finish in 4.’

This change on CSUF’s part would benefit those who are extremely busy and are facing burnout. It would allow students to space out their classes, ease the mental strain that comes with pursuing a degree and allow for an enjoyable and seamless college experience with more returning students for following summer sessions.

13 Health experts foresee a safer summer NEWS

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Doctors say upcoming celebrations are less risky with the rise of vaccines.

EMILY DOWNER Asst. Editor

With COVID-19 cases declining and Orange County moving closer toward the yellow tier, health experts are hopeful that cases will continue to decrease this summer as more people become vaccinated.

Dr. Daisy Dodd, infectious disease specialist with Kaiser Permanente Orange County, said she is cautiously optimistic for the summer. Dodd said that while there is a concern of rising cases when any gathering occurs, like graduation ceremonies, the transmission of the virus is lower when events are held outside rather than inside.

“We are in a point where we are much better than we were 13 months ago,” Dodd said.

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, as of May 15, there were 55 daily reported positive COVID-19 cases with two reported deaths.

Over the last 14 days, there were 43 reported positive cases in Fullerton. Around 52.1% of Orange County residents are at least partially vaccinated and 40.6% are fully vaccinated.

Dr. Sherrill Brown, Altamed’s medical director of infection prevention, said in an email to the Daily Titan that at least 110 million more people

would need to be vaccinated in the United States in order to reach herd immunity, which is around 80% of the population.

As of May 13, Brown said that around 267 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the United States with 119 million American citizens fully vaccinated.

“We have unfortunately seen lower vaccination rates in people 16-49 compared to those >50 so hopefully that trend does not continue with our 12-15 age group,” Brown said.

Brown said that she anticipates summer cases will be much lower than the infection spikes from November to December 2020 due to the distribution of the vaccine.

Brown said that a higher proportion of new cases might fall into younger age groups, yet hospitalizations and death rates should remain lower, as younger patients are at a lower risk of severe side effects.

Dodd said that while cases for younger people are milder symptoms like headaches, fatigue and body aches can occur months after.

“We are more worried around young people because the old people like me have been immunized,” Dodd said. “So now, the numbers are emerging in the young people.”

On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 years old.

CSUF’s Student Wellness Center offers COVID-19 tests.

(Anthony Robles / Daily Titan) “We know that children are at least one-third of our population,” Dodd said. “So they definitely contribute to the herd immunity. So the more kids that we are able to immunize, the faster we are going to be able to get rid of it.”

Many experts, like Dodd, said she is most concerned with the rise of new variants. Dodd said there are three main variants circulating in the United States: the United Kingdom, the South African and the Brazil variant.

Dodd said current vaccines protect against many of the strains. The most populous strain in the United States is the United Kingdom strain, also known as B.1.1.7 UK variant, which was first identified

in the United States in December 2020. Dodd said one of the main problems with variants is that they are easier to transmit from person to person.

Brown and Dodd both recommended becoming vaccinated to protect yourself and others.

Suzanne Knutzen, a nurse practitioner at Cal State Fullerton’s Student Wellness Center, has been working on the CSUF contact tracing team.

Knutzen said that as cases decline, businesses open and safety mandates are lifted, people are ready to get back outside, yet she emphasized the importance of following science.

On May 13, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people would not have to wear

GRAD GUIDE 2021

masks outdoors or in some indoor settings. With many businesses lifting mask restrictions for customers who have been vaccinated, health experts advise to continue following safety guidelines.

Knutzen said that while the vaccination does not guarantee that an individual will not get COVID-19, the vaccination lowers the chances of severe symptoms and the possibility of dying from the disease.

Once a person is fully vaccinated, Knutzen said they can enjoy many activities, including dining inside and being around others who are not vaccinated yet. She said she recommends still wearing a mask in crowded public areas when social distancing is not possible, like on an airplane or public transportation.

Knutzen said that it is unlikely that there will be as big of spikes in cases compared to the holiday season of November and December of 2020.

“So to say that there is fear, I think it’s not looking at the science. We’ve got to look at the bright side of all of this: we have effective vaccines and there is increasing availability,” Knutzen said.

“I think the biggest takehome message is not only to get vaccinated, but we can’t stop some of the things that we’ve learned along the way.

We got to continue to practice the precaution and prevention measures.”

14

GRAD GUIDE 2021

OPINION

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

Students must seek passion over profit To achieve happiness, it is crucial to chase more than a big paycheck.

KYRSTIN HUXTABLE Asst. Editor

Something most college students have been asked by a nosy family member or friend at least once is, “What are you going to do with your life?” Whether these students are incoming freshman or soon-to-be graduates, each of them will most likely face this during their college career and have to somehow come up with an answer.

It’s normal to experience career anxiety, especially during college, because deciding on a career path and conjuring a long-term plan after graduating can be incredibly daunting and stressful. While those who prod and pressure others about finding a steady career path are hard to ignore, the most important person for students to listen to when deciding their life plan is themselves. In order to succeed in a future career, students need to find something they enjoy and have a genuine interest in — not just something that will earn them big bucks.

When people come to the

ARIANNA GUTIERREZ / DAILY TITAN

point where they need to make a decision, many might end up picking a career for the money. Granted, money is a great tool that can arguably make anyone’s life better. It can buy new cars, houses and even a big fancy yacht, but as the saying goes, “Money can’t buy happiness.”

According to a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, it found that there was a positive correlation between income and emotional wellbeing, mental health experts point out that happiness is a complex emotion not achieved through money but through one’s mindset.

Money has great benefits, but it will not simply solve all the world’s problems, guarantee success and ensure lifelong happiness.

Chasing a career for the money and ultimately landing an abhorrent job with an awful workplace environment can take a serious toll on one’s physical and mental health. According to an article by Forbes, job dissatisfaction can lead to weight gain, depression, anxiety, stress and loss of sleep.

Along with affecting wellbeing, hating one’s job can also affect those around them.

When work stress becomes too much, people often unleash it on those closest to them, according to Thrive Global. This spill-over effect negatively impacts personal relationships,

leading to further conflict with friends and family.

Because money can’t buy happiness, it is important for job-seekers to discover for themselves what will. According to an article from CNBC, “Research consistently shows that if you want to be happier in your job, you shouldn’t chase a high salary. From a happiness standpoint, it’s more important that your job provides a sense of meaning or purpose.” Therefore, finding a career that genuinely brings enjoyment and fulfillment should take precedence over a high paycheck.

There are many benefits to following one’s passions and loving a job. If someone is in a career they truly enjoy and take pride in, they are likely to feel more fulfilled. Spending valuable and worthwhile time at work also has the power to increase motivation and self-confidence. It’s hard to find enjoyment and optimism when work is detestable, but when someone is accomplishing goals that are important to them, their passion and drive lead the way.

Furthermore, being happy at work makes people more productive. Love for one’s job will motivate and energize them, enhancing their performance.

According to a USC article, people are more likely to learn faster, make fewer mistakes and make better business

decisions when they enjoy their job.

It might be easy to believe that happiness is related to wealth, success and possessions, but happiness comes from a variety of things. Happiness is a multifaceted experience that is achieved through being. It is having an understanding of one’s passions, goals and what one ultimately wants to achieve in life.

Although, dreams and passions sometimes don’t have any earning potential. Money sure can’t guarantee happiness, but it can keep a roof over someone’s head and pay for their medical insurance. Therefore there must be a balance between fulfillment and income.

Finding a career that fits one’s passions and financial goals is essential.

If you can’t be in the job you love, you need to love the job you’re in. After all, people spend just over 13 years of their lives at work, according to a HuffPost analysis. Imagine spending a decade’s worth of time absolutely hating it. Life is too short to not be happy.

Following one’s passions might not bring immediate success, but in the long run, it will offer more happiness and fulfillment. Even if roadblocks occur along the way, passion over profit will carry one through them, offering courage, determination and ambition.

15 Column: Confronting the job market LIFESTYLE

WEEK OF MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

ANDREA MORA Staff Writer

As someone who was hit by the pandemic and forced to do a virtual internship to graduate, confronting the job market has been more difficult than ever with the loss of in-person networking. According to CNBC, a survey conducted by the career website Monster found that 45% of the class of 2020 is still seeking work and the new 2021 graduates will join them this month.

No matter how much friends and families encourage their students to keep applying, it can be difficult to fight that helpless feeling after applying to more than 50 jobs and sitting through countless interviews that yield nothing but rejection emails.

There is no perfect formula for job hunting after graduation, but there are a few fundamentals that can help any new graduate find their career path. This list breaks down six tips to help students face an intimidating opponent — the job market.

Apply to jobs you are interested in working in One of the leading factors to feeling helpless is taking a job out of desperation.

According to CNBC, Monster’s survey with Wakefield

Research confirmed that 73% of recent or soon-to-be graduates have taken jobs in this manner. Jobs out of college can be great ways to gain experience in the field, but aside from resume building, students should make sure that their first job out of college will make them happy.

Your first job won’t be perfect It’s important to look for a job that you are genuinely interested in, but don’t expect it to be the perfect job.

Students will most likely not end up securing their dream job or a high-end paying job right after graduating, and that’s OK. Jobs after graduation will most likely be starter positions to help recent graduates bolster their resume in hopes of securing better jobs in the future.

Focus on previous and new connections Students should make sure that they keep in touch with previous connections. In a virtual world that is actively recovering from a pandemic, building professional connections might seem intimidating, but don’t be afraid to explore the relationships that have already been made.

Talking to a past coworker or a favorite professor could open more doors than students might realize.

According to Fortune,

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more than half of the workforce secures jobs through personal connections. While students might be hesitant to invite a colleague to coffee, virtual professional platforms like LinkedIn make it easy for students to get in touch with other people in their industry. As long as students are willing to put themselves out there, they can send a simple LinkedIn message to request a Zoom chat and learn more about the day-to-day field so that in the future, when they do start hiring, they can use that connection to get started.

Apply to jobs out of reach Even if you don’t meet all the requirements or you don’t think you’ll get the job, apply anyway. The worst they can do is say no. There’s no harm in trying, and at the very least, going through the application and interview process multiple times can help students sharpen their skills — a method that might just land them their next big interview.

Stay Active As graduates search for jobs, it’s essential to stay active on social media and attend free online workshops.

It’s important to stay active especially on LinkedIn, because the more you post, the more you will be on someone’s timeline, increasing

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREA MORA your chances of getting noticed.

Securing a job isn’t going to be done quickly, so continue learning and attending workshops as a refresher. These workshops can be found online on websites like Skillshare and Alison.

Take care of your mental health The constant application process is going to be

exhausting and mentally draining, so it’s important to create a schedule for applying to jobs on certain days or hours of the week. Applying to jobs at midnight because you are stressing out is not an effective way to job hunt, and it should be avoided. Apply to at least a few jobs a week. The more you focus on your mental health, the happier and more confident you’ll feel.