Fall Graduation Guide 2013

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

GRADUATION GUIDE SPECIAL SECTION

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UH guides grads from class to career PAGE 10

BACK FOR MORE Engineering student chooses to stay for graduate program PAGE 7

2 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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EDITOR’S

NOTE Congrats, seniors — we did it! Yes, we. As a fellow graduating Cougar, I understand the triumphs and challenges you’ve battled through to make it to this empowering milestone. The journey that lies ahead may be daunting to some, but the opportunity to chase your dreams can propel you through any feelings of apprehension.

The Grad Guide is here to assist you in your transition to life as a college graduate. Your questions about how to tackle student loans, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

GRADUATION GUIDE SPECIAL SECTION

Congratulations

to all the

finding the best cities for recent grads and which companies in Houston are looking for new hires are all answered. Your dedication is appreciated, and the legacy you leave will shape UH for generations to come.

Soak it in, class of 2013; you (ahem, we) deserve it! I wish you all the best in the future and look forward to seeing the impact you make on the world as you embark on a new path.

fall

2013

Anthresia McWashington

GRADUATION GUIDE

GRADUATES. from:

Advertising supplement to The Daily Cougar COVER PHOTO Bethel Glumac COPY EDITORS David Bryant, Joshua Cochran

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BACK FOR MORE Engineering student chooses to stay for graduate program PAGE 7

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Congratulations to our graduates!

O

HON The Honors College strives to cultivate excellence in teaching and learning. We believe that a university education should offer tools for life as well as tools for making a living.

TheHonorsCollege.com/alumni

Please join us at The Great Conversation on March 26, 2014 Email: pbhyland@central.uh.edu

Remember your relationship with the Honors community does not end with graduation. We are proud to welcome you as our newest alumni! Log on; link in; visit often.

RS

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MY FELLOW COUGARS This is truly the season to celebrate our accomplishments and embrace our Cougar spirit as we move on to new successes.

Congratulations to our December graduates! You have reached a hard-earned goal, and it will serve your future careers well. As University of Houston graduates, you will receive a return on your investment that is far above the national average in terms of earning power and career satisfaction.

To our current students, your dreams have even more room to grow at UH. In the last year we have expanded campus housing significantly, with leading edge residential halls offering study spaces and classrooms to nurture student communities. The newly renovated University Center houses student organizations, retailers, restaurants and meeting rooms to enhance your college experience. Cougar spirit is building every day with the new football stadium on its way to completion. You inspire us to make a difference in each of your lives and give you the tools to turn your dreams into tomorrow’s achievements.

I wish all of you happy holidays filled with friends, family and, of course, Cougar pride!

Renu Khator President

4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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BEST WISHES

FALL 2013

Graduates!

Hats off to you,

We have enjoyed watching you learn and grow.

Dean of Students Office 832-842-6183 www.uh.edu/dos

2013 graduates from

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2013 WINTER CLASS & BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE!

FIND YOUR NICHE

IN CLASS

WHAT SHOULD YOU MAJOR IN? MAJORS ART Art* Art History Studio Art - Graphic Communications - Painting - Photography/Digital Media - Sculpture COMMUNICATION Advertising Corporate Communication Health Communication Integrated Communication Interpersonal Communication* Journalism* - Broadcast - Print Media Media Production Media Studies Public Relations COMMUNICATION SCIENCES & DISORDERS American Sign Language Communication Sciences & Disorders Interpreting COMPARATIVE CULTURAL STUDIES Anthropology Liberal Studies ECONOMICS ENGLISH Creative Writing* Literature* HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE Human Nutrition and Foods Kinesiology - Exercise Science - Fitness and Sports - Sports Administration HISPANIC STUDIES Spanish*

713.743.4001

MINORS HISTORY* MODERN & CLASSICAL LANGUAGES Chinese French* Italian Studies* World Cultures and Literatures -Ancient Studies -Francophone Cultures Studies -German Studies -Global Cinema Studies -Middle Eastern Studies -Studies in Global Modernity MUSIC Applied Music -Brass -Keyboard -Percussion -Strings -Voice -Woodwinds Composition Marketing Teacher Certification Theory Religion PHILOSOPHY POLITICAL SCIENCE PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY THEATRE & DANCE Dance* Theatre - Acting - Playwriting and Dramaturgy - Production - Stage Management - Theater Education

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP ART Art History Studio Art COMMUNICATION Advertising Corporate Communication Film Studies Health Communication Interpersonal Communication Journalism Media Production Media Studies Public Relations COMMUNICATION SCIENCES & DISORDERS COMPARATIVE CULTURAL STUDIES Anthropology Global and International Studies India Studies Religious Studies ECONOMICS ENGLISH HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE Human Nutrition and Foods Kinesiology HISPANIC STUDIES Spanish Spanish for Business Professionals HISTORY American Cultures History Latin American Studies HONORS COLLEGE Creative Work Medicine and Society Phronesis, Politics, and Ethics

WWW.UH.EDU/CLASS

INTERDISCIPLINARY ART MILITARY SCIENCE (ARMY ROTC) MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES MODERN & CLASSICAL LANGUAGES Arab Studies Chinese Studies Classical Studies French French for Business Professionals German German Area Studies Greek Italian Studies Jewish Studies Latin World Cultures and Literatures MUSIC Music Literature/History Music Theory NAVAL SCIENCE (NAVY ROTC) PHILOSOPHY POLITICAL SCIENCE Law, Value, and Policy National Security Studies Quantitative Social Science PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY THEATRE & DANCE Dance WOMEN’S, GENDER & SEXUALITY STUDIES Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Women’s Studies

* Teacher Certification Available.

Please Consult the Department Advisor for More Information.

AGNES ARNOLD HALL, ROOM 320

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Engineering senior leaves

mark before graduation Anthresia McWashington GRAD GUIDE

N

ebolisa Egbunike dedicated his last couple of semesters as an undergraduate student to breaking ground for the engineering school at UH. The international mechanical engineering senior followed in the footsteps of his older siblings by making the decision to move from Nigeria to further his education in Houston.

UH was one of Egbunike’s top choices when considering where he would attend school a few years ago. Houston’s thriving energy business, and growth potential for young professionals convinced him that this was the perfect place to be.

“Houston is the energy capital of the world,”Egbunike said. “There is a lot of opportunity out here, not just for engineering students, but for everyone.”

Since moving here, Egbunike has made a name for himself amongst major companies within the oil and gas industry, specifically the subsea sector, by founding the Subsea Engineering Society this past summer.

“It’s been awesome, but I don’t think credit should be given to just one person. The entire SES team has worked so hard this semester,” Egbunike said. “In our first six months, we’ve been able to attend several conferences, and host company tours and workshops. Subsea is the new frontier, and there are so many opportunities available to students and professionals.”

Seizing opportunity The Subsea Engineering Society kicked off in the same semester as UH’s subsea engineering graduate program, in which Egbunike plans to enroll in for Spring 2014, making it the perfect time for him to build on the foundation of the organization.

Friends of Egbunike attribute his successes as an undergraduate to his modesty and ability to keep pushing, no matter the obstacle.

“He believes that an individual’s focus should never be on how many times the individual falls, but in the effort

put into rising up each time,” said Segun Fosudu, petroleum engineering student and friend of Egbunike. “I admire his discipline, wisdom in handling situations, leadership skills, and his ability to adapt to change.”

Growing up outside of the U.S., Egbunike said he faced a number of challenges getting his college education in a foreign country.

Even with his family so far away, his ability to motivate and push himself toward his goals has opened many doors for him.

“There are times when I

wish I could talk to my parents everyday, but not having them here has made me stronger, and has pushed me to believe in God’s plan for my life,” Egbunike said.

On to grad school Egbunike secured an internship with a top company next semester, and his organization already has corporate sponsorships.

He looks forward to discovering what will happen in his future and in the future of the Subsea Engineering Society as he transitions into life as a UH graduate student.

Nebolisa Egbunike came to UH seeking opportunity and success in the oil and gas industry. Photo by Aisha Bouderdaben The Daily Cougar

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2013

The Department of Campus Recreation would like to recognize our graduates. We wish you much success in your future endeavors.

YOU ARE THE PRIDE! Natalia Robinson Kathryn Muraywed Julie Moreno Isabella Doa Paloma Tarfur

Nic Lederman Darryl Perkins Jehan Said Hadley Hollingsworth

8 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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Post-graduation destinations Laura Gillespie GRAD GUIDE

A

fter finishing the last final, walking the stage and applying for jobs, new graduates are suddenly faced with a wide country full of opportunities and amenities. Young adults want big cities with a thriving nightlife, healthy economy and affordable housing market, and these are some of the best in the country.

HOUSTON UH students might not have to move far at all to find the right city for them. Houston was ranked the best city in the country for young professionals by Forbes last year, and with 22 Fortune 500 companies, a low cost of living and booming medical and energy fields, Houston has something to offer just about everyone.

AUSTIN

Houston consistently ranks as one of the nation’s best cities for young professionals.

Harvest Hill apartments

CONGRATULATIONS

Fall 2013 GRADUATES! • 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartment Homes • Internet Cafe • Billiards • Entertainment Lounge • Business Center • Walking Distance to Metro Rail & UT Shuttle Minutes From Downtown & Texas Medical Center

8282 Cambridge, Houston, Texas 77054 713.799.9046 | harvesthill@aricommunities.com

For native Houstonians who want to move while also staying close to home, Austin has risen to the top of recent “best-of” lists due to its thriving music scene — the city is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” With housing prices lower than Houston’s at an average of $777 for one-bedroom apartment and a median income of $50,132, according to greatlist.com, the city is affordable, and it receives an avaerage of 300 days of sunshine a year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. While expensive, those looking for well-paying jobs in politics or the public sector will have a hard time finding a better place to start their careers.

The greater area has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, according to nerdwallet.com. D.C. serves as an American cultural hub, and museums like the Smithsonian and various bars and other nightlife keep D.C. at the top of the charts for best places for young adults to live.

ATLANTA Georgia’s capital has a lot more to offer than just zombies — according to The Huffington Post, it’s seen a job growth of 3 percent per year, and it’s still growing. Housing costs are similar to Houston’s, at an average of $800 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and it houses top companies such as Coca-Cola, CNN, AT&T, UPS and CNN. The city has the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies.

BOSTON With an unemployment rate 1.4 percent below the nation’s, Boston’s economy is strong. Its public transit system and green energy are among the third and fifth best in the nation, respectively, according to greatlist. com, and 95 percent of its residents are covered by health care. Though rent prices are higher than those one might see in Texas, at an average rent of $1,257, it is still lower than many other cities on the East Coast, and salaries are 34 percent higher than the national average.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 9

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Loan load presents a primary challenge for life after college

T

he first few months after graduation brings a variety of new challenges for recent graduates who have grown accustomed to the rhythms of the semester calendar.

The search to start a career often occupies the forefront of a graduate’s mind — and serves as the centerpiece of many of the conversation a graduate will have after receiving a diploma.

But after a standard sixmonth grace period, graduates who took out student loans to finance their education and do not intend to remain in school will need to begin to address that debt.

A variety of options exists to guide recent graduates through the repayment process.

These options seek to address the unique needs of all graduates.

The different payment schedules and structures each provide a different set of positives and

drawbacks.

The standard option, the student repayment plan, sets monthly payments at a fixed rate for a maximum of 10 years.

The payments may initially pose a challenge for those just starting a career, but the repayment timeline keeps payments even and minimizes the interest graduates must pay on loans.

A range of other options offer different payment periods — from a maximum of 10 years to a maximum of 25 years.

These plans typically begin with lower payments to ease the burden for those just starting a career but gradually increase to ensure student loans do not become a life-long problem.

These options may be an attractive and even necessary option, but borrowers who choose these repayment plans may end up paying more as interest accrues on loan balances that may be larger than the standard plan.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT OPTIONS FOR GRADS The standard six-month grace period will be over before you know it, and if you’re not planning on heading to grad school, more than likely, you’ll be getting ready to pay back your student loans. Here are the different repayment plans available to students after graduation:

1

STUDENT REPAYMENT PLAN Payments are fixed amount of at least $50 per month for a maximum of 10 years.

INCOME SENSITIVE REPAYMENT PLAN Your monthly payment is based on annual income. Adjustments are made according to income changes.

2

GRADUATION REPAYMENT PLAN Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, for a maximum of 10 years.

3

EXTENDED REPAYMENT PLAN Payments may be fixed or graduated for up to 25 years. Monthly payments are lower than the standard plan.

INCOME CONTIGENT REPAYMENT PLAN Payments are calculated each year and are based on adjusted gross income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans.

Payments are adjusted as income changes. 20-year maximum.

4

INCOME-BASED REPAYMENT PLAN Your maximum monthly payments will be 15% of the difference between your adjusted gross income and 150% of the poverty guideline for your family size and state of residence. Payments are adjusted as your income changes. Maximum of 25 years.

x

PAY AS YOU EARN REPAYMENT PLAN Your maximum monthly payments will be 10% of the difference between your adjusted gross income and 150% of the poverty guideline for your family size and state of residence (other conditions apply) Payments are adjusted as income changes.

20-year maximum.

5 6 7

All information compiled from studentaid.ed.gov Graphic by Farah Hasnie

x

EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE Making the decision to attend law school is huge.

Deciding which one to go to can be intimidating.

At South Texas College of Law/Houston you will find: x an exceptional faculty x

x

x

an advocacy program rated No.1 in the nation by the Blakely Advocacy Institute affordable tuition rates, as evidenced by a “Best Value” private law school ranking in The National Jurist magazine the Randall O. Sorrells Legal Clinic, which houses more than 10 direct-service clinics, academic externships and a vibrant volunteer pro bono program

x

an award-winning legal research and writing staff

x

a broad and flexible curriculum

x

a helpful and knowledgeable staff

x

x

more than 30 student organizations that provide a nurturing social environment and opportunities for community service a downtown location close to major law firms and corporations for enhanced job opportunities

Deadline for fall, 2014 admission is February 15, 2014

SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW/HOUSTON Houston’s Oldest Law School, 713.646.1810 t www.stcl.edu x

x

10 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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UH offers help to land jobs

in Houston

Veronica Reyes GRAD GUIDE

U University Career Services provides a variety of online tools, resume workshops, career fairs and other initiatives to assist UH students and graduates in their career searches. File photo The Daily Cougar

niversity Career Services and the C. T. Bauer College of Business want students to begin utilizing, as early as freshman year, the programs they offer that assist students in obtaining employment. These include workshops, internships, interactive websites and social media.

Lead The Future of

NURSING

With your new bachelor’s degree from UH, you can earn a BSN in 12 months from UHV’s* Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Get a quality education in Sugar Land from excellent faculty at a great value.

Application deadline is Oct.1, 2014, for January 2015 admission.

Enrollment is competitive and limited!

Call the School of Nursing advisor toll free at (877) 970-4848, ext. 4370 for more information.

The UHV School of Nursing is a member institution of the Texas Medical Center. It has full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education.

Ask about our scholarships!

Princess Anujulu

@

UHV BSN Student

14000 University Blvd.

Sugar Land, TX

www.uhv.edu/nursing

* The University of Houston-Victoria is a member of the UH System.

7*8 KU CP 'SWCN 1RRQTVWPKV[ #HĹżTOCVKXG #EVKQP KPUVKVWVKQP /KPQTKVKGU YQOGP XGVGTCPU CPF RGTUQPU YKVJ FKUCDKNKVKGU CTG GPEQWTCIGF VQ CRRN[

+PPQXCVKXG PWTUKPI GZEGNNGPEG /GGVKPI FTGCOU KP [QWT EQOOWPKV[

“We have a UCAN network on LinkedIn which is extremely important. It is a professional networking site so you can network within the University as well as employers,� said Nora Bayly, office assistant and social media coordinator.

Houston is known for its booming job market, especially in the oil and gas industries.

Exxon Mobil Corp., Shell Oil Co., BP and Schlumberger Ltd. are known for reaching out to the University for graduates.

Other companies also known to hire UH students are Canon Inc., PepsiCo Inc. and CocaCola Co. “Houston is definitely one of the best cities for jobs right now, and every survey and ranking agrees with this. This is largely due to job growth in the energy industry, which has been driving economic growth in all parts of the Houston economy,� said Bauer College Assistant Dean Jamie Belinne.

Students are able to walk in at University Career Services from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Upon entering, they will be directed to one of the five certified counselors who will be happy to help. “We try to make it easy for students to come in and obtain information by having printed material, PDF brochures or workshops, regardless of major,� Bayly said.

There are still some students unaware of the career services available on campus. Therefore, UCS will embark on a new marketing program to make itself more visible on campus. “I’m one of the lucky ones who got an internship through a class project. If not, Career Services would’ve been my next step,� said public relations senior Laura Benavides.

Bauer has services similar to UCS, such as on-campus recruiting, job postings, career fairs and workshops. “The Rockwell Career Center has its own job posting and recruiting site called Bauer Career Gateway. It is free to Bauer students and alumni,�

Belinne said.

Alumni will also be able to take advantage of the resources available to them, whether it be via Skype or in person.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 11

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Q&A: Alumnus finds passion in poetry Channler Hill GRAD GUIDE

T

he Grad Guide staff sat down with University alumnus Ayokunle Falomo, who performed a poem entitled “My Body is Sky” as a guest speaker for TEDxHouston.

Falomo, who studied psychology at UH, is attending graduate school Sam Houston State.

He wanted to share his experience and inspire others to follow what makes them passionate. The video can be found at tedxtalks.ted.com/video/ Untitled-Ayokunle-Falomo-atTED. How did you become a speaker on TEDxHouston and would recommend others to try and do the same?

Woody Allen said the majority of what success is involves just showing up, and luckily, I did in the right place at the right time for a simulcast event — TEDxHoustonChange in April of this year— that was hosted by TEDxHouston here on the UH Campus (Cemo Hall) actually. At the end, the organizers gave the audience members an opportunity to share something and I gathered up the courage to share a poem. That later led to me getting an invitation to speak and perform at another simulcast event for TEDGlobal in June. All this I would say started before now though, with an interest in what TED was, as an avenue to share ideas worth spreading.

And absolutely, I would definitely recommend for others to share their own ideas worth spreading in whatever capacity.

Why did you choose to perform the poem you did and what effect do you think it had on the audience?

The theme of this year at TEDxHouston was “The Other Things” which was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s moon speech at Rice University. Since it pertains to moonshots, I sensed that there would be presentations that would be about the idea of “reaching for the skies”, and I was interested in reminding others that while that’s awesome, it’s necessary to take the journey back down to earth every now and then. I had written the poem “My Body is Sky”

in February and I thought it would be fitting to perform it. Of course, it’s a sad poem because communication (an essential part of what makes us human) is what keeps the sky bright, but I didn’t expect that many people to respond to it in the manner they did. I made quite a few people cry. It wasn’t intended at all but I’m glad it prompted people to call their loved ones.

For graduates and students who will be graduating soon, how important is it to stay in touch with family, no matter what, or to just be a good communicator in general?

Like I mentioned, I believe

that communication is an essential part of how we relate to one another, it’s what propels humanity toward the ideal of a community that’s deeply rooted in the practice of Ubuntu. It’s essential for us to learn to walk the earth as brothers and sisters. I must say though that even though I fail sometimes, it’s something to work toward in my own relationships with people and especially with family — our first introduction to community.

What was it like speaking in front of 600 strangers as a UH alumnus? Are you interested in becoming a professional poet?

Sharing before any audience,

regardless of number, is always accompanied by nervousness, that’s for sure. But as it always happens, I felt comfortable right after getting on the stage. It really didn’t feel like 600 people at all, although quite frankly, I don’t know what that’s supposed to feel like. In regards to becoming a professional poet, it’s something I’ve thought about and would like to pursue in a manner that would allow me to merge all my interests. Regardless, sharing my works in whatever measure I can as the opportunities present themselves is something I’ll continue to do.

What advice do you have for

graduating students who are about to leave UH for the first time?

I’d like to believe that University of Houston has been great in preparing graduates, as it did for me, for much of what the real world will look like.

The exposure to diversity here and the many opportunities to connect with others; pride – especially in graduating from a Tier One institution; and perseverance — I’m sure parking has a lot to do with building that, are things that have contributed to what it means to be a Cougar.

As for advice, graduates should continue to appropriate these things for their personal as well as professional lives. #GoCoogs

YOU MADE IT!

Your ttutors t att LLearning i SSupportt Services, S i Challenger Ch ll Program P and your friends at Learning & Assessment Services

wish you the best in your endeavors! www.las.uh.edu FREE TUTORING

GET AHEAD

Learning Support Services Room N109 Cougar Village (Building # 563) Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu Mon - Thurs 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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accessuh.uh.edu Use your myUH (PeopleSoft) ID or CougarNet ID to login

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