2018
HOUSTONIAN A MAGAZINE FOR THE GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
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Houstonian 2018
ONE WORD COMES TO MIND...SUCCESS Graduation is a time to reflect on your journey. Think about where you started, and where you are headed. We are proud of who you have become, and we hope that we have prepared and inspired you to take what you have learned at UH out into the world. Class of 2018, we take this time to celebrate you. Congratulations... You are what success looks like.
Will Tonthat Major: Biology Center for Student Involvement
Houstonian 2018
THANK YOU FOR
LIVING ON CAMPUS! We are so proud of our graduating residents. Go Coogs!
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Houstonian 2018
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR C
ommunity is not an easy thing to build, especially in the face of overwhelming adversity. Individual members will always have their own personal struggles, and sometimes the needs of the community must be put on hold. Sticking together takes persistence, understanding and patience. It takes a commitment from all parties, that when one of you falls, everyone works together to get you back on your feet. For students at the University of Houston, this was a difficult year. While that difficulty must be acknowledged, I witnessed a coming together unlike anything I have ever seen, and it can only be described as a testament to the collective tenacity of the Houston Cougars. As a transfer student form another university, I was quick to learn that UH was not a school where you are just another number. Instead, you’re entering a place that is willing to address your needs and understands that every individual student has something to offer, and something that they are working through. I entered a safe place, where
Editor in Chief Erin Davis Managing Editor Julie Araica Writers Julie Araica Diamond Braxton Maya Dandashi Erin Davis
Dana C. Jones Peter Scamardo Photographers Thomas Dwyer Advertising Ryan Guzman Production Kristen Fernandes
Cover Photo Julie Araica
PHOTO BY JULIE ARAICA
everyone from my advisors that assisted with my courses to the student publications that pushed me out of my comfort zone were willing to embrace and acknowledge my personal strengths. I was welcomed, listened to, and encouraged to go beyond what I felt that my capabilities were, knowing that a sound and strong community stood behind me. Now a graduating senior, it’s a hard task to part with the place and people who have carried me through these past few years. Through everything, the Houston community remains loyal and uplifted by one another. As we all go forth into a new stage of our lives, whatever that may look like, it helps to know that there are people pulling for you. This community has given me so much confidence, pride and understanding. The only thing that I can hope for now is to move forward, go out, and make my community proud.
erin davis Class of 2018
About The Magazine This magazine was produced by students at the University of Houston in the Center for Student Media. To request a copy, call 713-743-5350 or email csm@uh.edu
Houstonian 2018
Best Wishes SPRING 2018 GRADUATES
We have enjoyed watching you learn and grow.
Congratulations, Class of 2018! The University of Houston-Victoria congratulates you on your graduation from the University of Houston. UHV offers face-to-face master’s degree programs in both Katy and Victoria, and online classes that you can take from anywhere. Our affordable degree options can help you get ahead in your career and in your life.
DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE Room , Student Center South V I CT O R IA • K A TY • O NLINE
www.uh.edu/dos
UHV.edu | (361) 570-4848 | (281) 396-3700
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT LIFE! A.D. Bruce Religion Center uh.edu/adbruce
Center for Diversity and Inclusion uh.edu/cdi
Center for Fraternity & Sorority Life uh.edu/cfsl
Center for Student Involvement uh.edu/csi
Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm
Children’s Learning Centers uh.edu/clc
LGBTQ Resource Center uh.edu/lgbtq
Student Centers uh.edu/studentcenters
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Houstonian 2018
LIFE MEMBERSHIP As a graduate, you’ve joined a class of very prideful UH alumni. Why not join another prideful group - Life Members!
$600 Individual | $1100 Joint
As low as $12.50 per month! (paid over the course of four years)
Benefits: • • • • •
Free entry to UHAA tent at select sporting events with free food & drinks; Discounts at hundreds of local and national businesses; Name on columns at Life Member Plaza (front of UH Athletic-Alumni Center; Priority access to all UHAA events; And much more!
Join the Pride: www.houstonalumni.com
, S O N I A T L U T A R G N CO 8 ! 0 1 2 O F CLASS Thank you for your support and engagement with the WGRC.
ADVOCATE, EDUCATE, EMPOWER Student Center North, Room 201 832-842-6191 www.uh.edu/wgrc
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 19 20
A-Typical Jobs
A Spotlight on Graduating Seniors
Is Grad School Worth It?
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Adulting Essentials
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You Got the Degree. Now What?
2017-2018: A Look Back
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The Ultimate Resume Guide
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Your Favorite Thing About UH...
04 08
Letter from the Editor
10 12 13 14 16
Where the Wild Coogs Are
Top 10 Places for Women and Minorities to Work
Weather for the Ages
A Year in Cougar Sports
It’s OK to Not Have It All Figured Out
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TOP
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PLACES TO WORK FOR WOMEN AND MINORITIES
by Diamond Braxton
Company culture is important when looking for your first full-time job. Take a look at these 10 companies that emphasize individual strengths, job growth and teamwork.
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CitiGroup
Citigroup, also known as Citi, is a global bank, and it is the fourth-largest bank in the United States. Citi is known for its diversity in the workplace ranging from its inclusion of women, minorities and people with diverse sexual orientations. On Citi’s website, there is a page solely dedicated to the diversity of the community that states, “maintaining a truly diverse environment has been proven to be a leading indicator of the quality of our culture”.
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American Express
American Express is an American financial service corporation that provides clients with credit cards, insurance and more. More than 50 percent of their workers consist of women and over 30 percent of them are senior executives. They provide new parents with 20 weeks of paid leave with 100 percent base salary. American Express has “long been committed to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender causes.” Due to this, they’ve scored a 100 percent on the Human Right’s Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index since 2004.
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Merck
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Pepsico
Merck is a global healthcare company with the goal of making a difference within the world. On their statement on diversity, Merck says, “We strive to create an inclusive an inclusive workplace environment, where diverse perspectives are respected and all opinions matter.”
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Coca-Cola
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The Boston Consulting Group
Coca-Cola is an American multinational beverage company that manufactures, markets, and retails their beverage products. Coca-Cola is focused on a “global diversity mission” where they wish to “mirror the rich diversity of the marketplace” they serve.
Pepsico is an American multinational food and beverage company that is globally recognized for its products. Beginning in the 1940s, PepsiCo went against the color barrier and brought on African Americans to their team. In the 50s, they were one the “first major companies to have women on its Board”. They’re focused on increasing women involvement in the workplace by recruiting talented women and minorities across the board.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global consulting firm with offices all across the world. Diversity is one of the core values of the company. The Human Rights Campaign rated the BCG with a 100 percent score and named it one of the “Best Places To Work For LGBT Equality”. They’ve held this title for over eleven years. BCG is dedicated to recruiting and retaining “top African American, Asian, and Hispanic talent” for their US offices. They also have a group named Woman@BCG where the group’s objective is to increase “the number, success, and job satisfaction of women at BCG.”
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Dell
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General Electric
Dell is an American multinational computer technology company that focuses on selling and repairing computers. Dell is recognized for its diverse environments Diversity Inc. Top 50 and Society of Women Engineers. Dell believes a “diverse workforce is critical to generating new ideas and inspiring innovation”.
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Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting company that provides several services including consulting, digital, technology and strategy. At Accenture, there are close to 90 local women networking groups – Women’s Employee Resource Groups – that help Accenture women with networking and development opportunities. Accenture adds in their statement about inclusion and diversity that “While laws may vary in the countries where Accenture operates, we remain committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace”.
General Electric is an American digital industry company that is known for its innovations that help power the world. General Electric was named as one of the “Top Employers for Equal Opportunity” in Equal Magazine in 2016. They have a Woman’s Network that helps advance the women at General Electric in their careers.
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Apple
Apple is an American multinational technology company that designs and sells top-of-the line consumer electronics. 29 percent of leaders at Apple are women and 39 percent of the women leaders are under 30 years old. They maintain pay equity and they’ve achieved it in every country they operate in. 50 percent of their new hires are “from historically underrepresented groups in tech”. When it comes to diversity, Apple believes “humanity is plural, not singular”.
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Houstonian 2018
WHERE THE WILD COOGS ARE by Peter Scamardo
Every college at the University of Houston has at least one alumni that has gone on to notable success in their professional careers. Whether they came to the University of Houston for an undergraduate or a graduate degree, all either met people or had an experience at UH that readied them for the real world. These are three of those very people.
Christine Ha Known for winning the third winner of the TV cooking show “MasterChef,” Christina Ha is famous for being the first blind contestant to audition and win the competition. Before she appeared on TV, Ha was a student in the Creative Writing MFA program. Despite getting her undergraduate degree in Business, Ha chose to study creative writing. Given that she was a student while losing her vision, Ha said it was that experience that gave her the drive to try things as unique as auditioning for “MasterChef.” “The nurturing atmosphere that I had in my workshops with my faculty and my fellow students help me gain more confidence in my work and in my thought process,” Ha said. “I feel my opinions were valued and it taught me to make a voice for myself and not be afraid to speak up.” Ha graduated with her MFA in 2013 and still remains active at alumni events. For incoming students, Ha said that the university setting is a place for people to grow into their self and learn to know themselves and the world much better, so she said to take as much advantage of that as possible.
Houstonian 2018
Luis and Amber Rabo For husband and wife Luis and Amber Rabo owe a great deal to the university because it was there the two first met. “We successfully complete a group project in (Dr. Chandy’s Marketing class), moved on to take the study abroad trip to Chile with Dr. Hubbard, and academically and personally the rest is history,” Amber Rabo said. Both received graduate degrees from the Bauer School of Business, with Amber also attending the graduate school of social work. After college the two opened We Olive & Wine Bar, a shop for artisan wine and olive oil products in the Heights neighborhood. Luis attributed his time as an undergraduate in the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management for teaching him how to handle a working environment and differing managerial styles. Amber said she learned the skills needed to be successful in corporate and non-profit environments. The two have maintained a connection with the university by constantly hiring students and graduates to positions in their company. That connection has ensured they always have a message for incoming students. “Get involved on campus,” Luis said. “Find a group or two at the University that stands for something you are passionate about and participate. The friends that you make by getting involved will be part of your network for many years to come and may turn into your future investors, advisors, or lifelong friends.
Wade Phillips Class of 1970 graduate, Wade Phillips has been surrounded by the NFL all his life and was the head coach for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. 2015 marked his first Super Bowl championship as he was the defensive coordinator for the Broncos at the time. First as a player and then as a graduate assistant, Phillips got to learn how to be a coach under Bill Yeoman, the winningest coach in UH football history. “The leadership and guidance of Coach Yeoman was important because he coached the right way,” Phillips said. “He was a great example and I think that helped me as much as anything.” Phillips still owns a home in Houston and maintains a connection with the university by going to as many sporting events as possible, when he has the time. When asked about a message he has for incoming students, Phillips said to enjoy the process, knowing that the university has everything one would need to become successful.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CLARE LUCKEY, DEAN BENDELE AND KENDRICK ALRIDGE
IS GRAD SCHOOL WORTH IT? Three UH graduate students tell their stories by Dana C. Jones After completing an undergraduate degree in anything from engineering to liberal arts, most people usually have two main options; start a career or go to graduate school. Some graduates eradicate the idea of more school all together, but with the ever-rising –job-market competition, graduate degrees are becoming both commoditized and necessary. According to the Council of Graduate School’s report on graduate enrollment and degrees, first time graduate enrollment increased by 1.9 percent between fall 2015 and fall 2016. When choosing your graduate program, you have options. Clare Luckey is a traditional graduate student at the University of Houston in Space Architecture which is in the College of Engineering Graduate Program. Luckey received her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in space weather engineering with a minor in astrophysics. Luckey enjoys the experience she has had thus far pursuing her career path. “There are no solid rules and you have to figure things out for yourself” Luckey said. “I think it’s prepared me more for my ca-
reer and I want to start working.” Another type of graduate program is becoming a professional student. A professional degree is a program that prepares students for specific career field like law or pharmacy. Dean Bendele is graduating with his MBA in finance. Before his graduate degree he was a reservoir engineer. He pursued his MBA to go into the financing in the energy field, hence why he became the President of the Energy Club at UH, which is a part of the Bauer MBA Society. “I took a lot of classes that built on my financial experience in the oil and gas industry and expanded what I knew about the energy industry,” Bendele said. “I think Bauer College put me in a better position to find a job in the energy industry.” Bendele says that he feels more confident in discussing topics relating to energy on larger scale with other professionals in the industry. This includes future development, industry trends, world-wide policy, technology, and business strategy. In some special instances, students can start taking course towards their Master’s degree while they are still in their under-
grad. This is, of course, for students who are sure of their career goals and want a head start. UH has an accelerated BA/MA program in political science. This allows students to receive both undergrad and graduate degrees in five years, which saving time and money. To be eligible, a student must have a 3.33 GPA submit the application and complete a capstone seminar paper to be submitted for publication or presented at an academic conference. This is what political science senior Kendrick Alridge is currently doing. “The difference between undergrad and grad school is that it is a lot of research and the classes are a lot smaller.” Alridge said. Alridge wants to work at a think tank to do work in public policy. “I want to go into domestic policy like healthcare and social policy.” Graduate school is an opportunity for students to advance their career and distinguish themselves in the job market while specializing in something they’re passionate about.
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ADULTING ESSENTIALS FOR THE REAL WORLD
by Erin Davis
You might have lived on your own in college, but as a graduate, the standard for self-sufficiency is infinitely higher. No longer is it acceptable to show up thirty minutes late, dressed in sweats and blaming the whole on your latest all-nighter. Your student life is over for now, and it’s time to acquire the few things that say, “I’m an adult.”
1. A Nice Jacket
It can be a blazer, but it doesn’t have to be. A nice tailored jacket can go over just about anything you have in your closet and make it professional-looking. Twopiece sets are not always mandatory in the workplace these days, so you could wear it an infinite number of ways, not just with matching slacks.
5. A Banking or Investment App 9. A Plan When you’re living out on your own, it’s important to start planning for your future. Even something as simple as being able to access your bank account on the go can offer some peace-of-mind. Investments apps allow you to contribute to your retirement whenever you think of it, which definitely adds up over time.
It really doesn’t matter if your plan changes the very next day, or even the next hour. Having some idea of what direction you’re going in gives everything you do purpose and intention. Having a plan to fall back on will help keep away the feeling of being lost.
2. A Calendar or Planner
6. Skin Care
People are looking to you to show them how to treat you. Even if you have to fake it, carrying yourself like you’re an adult and have things under control will change the way that others perceive you. Before you know it, you’ll be proving them right.
3. Floor-Cleaning Materials
7. Comfortable Shoes
4. A Plunger
8. A Hobby or Outlet
It doesn’t matter if it’s your phone or a physical thing, but you need to have a place where you can keep deadlines and appointments. Adult life is full of doctor’s visits, family dinners and meetings, so to see it all in one place keeps it manageable. Your boss isn’t going to be too keen on hearing, “oops, I forgot.”
A broom, mop, vacuum, or even a Swiffer are all good options. When living in a dorm or student apartment, it can be easy to overlook to different bits and pieces that accumulate on the floor. If you’re looking to stay somewhere long-term, however, you’re going to have to keep your floor clean.
It feels obvious to say, but no one knows exactly how important a plunger is until you’re forced to watch the rapid rise of tainted toilet water, wondering where it all went wrong. It’s easier to save yourself the agony and keep a plunger with you in the home at all times
It doesn’t matter if your routine is complicated or simple. As an adult, it’s finally time to start worrying about the effects of aging. Taking a little extra time to put on some moisturizer does a lot to keep you looking polished and professional, even into your later years. Self-care is also something that helps boost confidence.
When you’re younger, it’s easy to power through shoes that may feel like your feet are in a lawn mower for the sake of looking cool. While your favorite pair of shoes might look really good, when you really have to get somewhere, it’s important to have shoes that won’t hold you back.
It can be stressful when you’re an adult. You’re taking care of yourself and making a lot of decisions each day. All of that stress has to be released in some form or another, or else it will start to take a toll on your health. A healthy outlet such as exercise, creating or spending time with friends is a way to help manage that stress.
10. Confidence
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Houstonian 2018
First day of classes: Weeks of Welcome kicks off the start of the fall semester
Total eclipse of the heart: A rare, partial solar eclipse passes over the Houston area.
AUG 26
AUG 21
2017-2018: A LOOK BACK
UH announces new Data Science Institute
PHOTO BY THOMAS DWYER/THE COUGAR
OCT 25
OCT 20
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SLATEN/THE COUGAR
OCT 2
Students evacuated: UHVictoria students are moved to main campus in preparation of Harvey’s landfall
PHOTO BY KAYLEE DUSANG/THE COUGAR
PHOTO BY GREG FAILS/THE COUGAR
SC Satellite reopens: The Satellite reopens after suffering extensive flood damage from Harvey
Campus closures: Hurricane Harvey threatens the Houston area, campus closures are announced
Ellen on campus: Producers from “The Ellen Show” give away World Series tickets on campus
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Campus reopens: UH opens after a week-long delay due to Hurricane Harvey
SEPT 14
Bayou Oaks evacuated: Students living at Bayou Oaks are evacuated after first floor flooding
SEPT 6
AUG 27
Weather delays, The Ellen Show, an NCAA Tournament and so much more defined our academic year both on and off campus. Relive the memories.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW KUSNERIK
Astros win it all: The Houston Astros win its first World Series in franchise history
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLEY THEATRE PHOTO BY THOMAS DWYER/THE COUGAR
NOV 2
NOV 1
PHOTO COURTESY OF ASTROS MEDIA
Back at UH: Alley Theatre announces it will host it’s performances at UH after Harvey flooding
Homecoming week: Slim Thug and Mike Jones perform at the Homecoming concert
End of semester: The Student Program Board hosts Winter Wonderland
It’s cold outside: Snow descends on the Houston area
JAN 18
UH plans for 2020: Pending permission from the Texas Legislature, UH will enroll its first class of medical students in 2020
DEC 8
Houstonian 2018
NOV 30
NOV 16
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Cold snap: Cold weather causes UH to cancel the first two days of spring semester
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SLATEN/THE COUGAR
PHOTO BY THOMAS DWYER/THE COUGAR
Supreme Court Justice visits UH: Sonia Sotomayor visits with 100 UH Law School students on campus
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUGAR
FEB 7
‘Here, We Go’ campaign raises $120 million in first year
JAN 26
JAN 24
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SLATEN/THE COUGAR
No more commencements: UH ends a short-lived push for university wide commencement speeches
Campaign season: Six SGA presidential candidates face off in the annual SGA debate
MAR 8
FEB 22
Houstonian 2018
Students Unite sweeps SGA: Cameron Barrett wins the SGA presidential election, his party sweeps the senate
PHOTO BY THOMAS DWYER/THE COUGAR
PHOTO BY THOMAS DWYER/THE COUGAR
A fire at the East Garage damages at least 9 cars
PHOTO COURTESY OF UH
MAY 10
APR 26
MAR 22
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRONTIER FIESTA
Frontier Fiesta weekend: UH’s longest tradition kicks off its weekend of perfomances, variety shows and more
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May graduation begins
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Houstonian 2018
WEATHER FOR THE AGES
Explosive weather at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters plagued the start of classes. But UH students were resilient and got back on track with their academic year.
Hurricane Harvey Day off due to snow Dec. 8, 2017
Local freeze - Jan. 17, 2018
Local freeze - Jan. 17, 2018
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PHOTO COURTESY OF BIGSTOCK
Three Atypical Jobs if You’re not Crazy about a 9 to 5
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by Diamond Braxton In a world of endless job opportunities, there are plenty of remote, odd jobs you probably haven’t heard about. Ranging from fastpaced journalists to psychology lovers, here are several job opportunities that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Online Counselor There are online counseling jobs for those out there with a degree in psychology. For people that are need of counseling services but are too afraid attend face-to-face therapy, clients can text their therapists as a means of comfort. This opportunity allows therapists to work from anywhere including their home or another country. Having an online counselor provides clients with the space they need, and it provides therapists with an easy-to-use interface platform. The average salary for an online therapist is $57,000, which is enough to support a therapist without having to get another job.
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At-Home Freelance Writer
Remote Social Media Marketer
Social media is taking the world by a storm and with more businesses relying on social media to bring in their clients – there’s more money to be made by being a social media guru. If you graduated with a degree in marketing, consider becoming a social media marketer for a company. Most of these jobs can be remote and done from home. All you have to do is upkeep a company’s social media and post eye-catching, engaging content that will increase their following. If you’re a social media guru and you understand the world of marketing, then this could be an awesome job opportunity for you. The average salary for a social media marketer is around $50,000, so if you find the perfect company to market you could be set for life.
Many college students graduate with degrees in journalism and communications but will have no idea on where to start once they graduate. By becoming a freelance writer, you can work from home and write for nearly any website depending on your concentrated niche. Many magazines will pay up to $300 for one article, and if you land enough work you could become a full-time freelance writer and be able to work comfortably from home. Some freelance writers make over $100,000 depending on the amount of clients they have, and some make as low as $10,000. It depends on how committed you are to working from home full-time. This is the perfect position for writers across the board because you can cover anything from breaking news to relationship advice to fitness articles. Also, by becoming a freelance writer you can avoid the horrors that come with working for a company along with being your own boss and setting your own hours.
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Houstonian 2018
Football: 38-3 win over Rice Owls. First game in Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
SEPT 23
Volleyball: 3-1 win over Mississippi State University
SEPT 16
SEPT 9
A YEAR IN COUGAR SPO Football: 27-24 loss to Texas Tech Red Raiders: First loss of the season
COURTESY OF HOUSTON ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
Men’s basketball: 70-59 win over Providence Friars. First win against a Big East opponent.
DEC 24
Track & Field: Season opening meet at Texas A&M.
DEC 20
Volleyball: Seniors honored at final game against Tulane
DEC 9
NOV 22
COURTESY OF HOUSTON ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
Football: 33-27 loss to Fresno State Bulldogs. Bowl game, final game of season.
JAN 4
Women’s basketball: 85-75 win over SMU Mustangs. First conference win. Surpasses win total from previous season (13).
OPENING GAMES FOR BOTH TEAMS Women’s basketball: 83-65 loss to Texas A&M Aggies
Men’s basketball: 81-63 loss at No. 9Wichita State. First game against ranked opponent. First loss against ranked opponent.
JAN 11
Football: 28-24 win over No. 17 South Florida. First win against a ranked opponent.
OCT 28
Soccer: Team defeats No. 21 Cincinnati in 2-1 win
NOV 10
PHOTOS BY THOMAS DWYER
DEC 30
Men’s basketball: 79-60 win over USF. First conference win
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From the first game of the Major Applewhite era to the devastating loss against Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, here are all the highs and lows from this year in Cougar sports.
SEPT 29
SEPT 29
Swimming & Diving: 228-69 win over North Texas. First meet of the season.
DEC 28
ORTS
Houstonian 2018
Men’s basketball: 81-53 win over McNeese State
Men’s basketball: 104-71 win vs Tulsa. First time scoring 100 points.
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Houstonian 2018
Softball: 5-4 loss to Texas A&M Aggies. First loss of the season, first game against ranked opponent.
Men’s basketball: 67-65 win over San Diego State Aztecs. First win in the NCAA Tournament since 1984.
FEB 15
Men’s basketball: 77-74 win against Wichita State, secures spot in conference final.
FEB 9
Track & Field: Elijah Hall breaks school indoor 200m record (20.51s) at Charlie Thomas Invitational
Men’s basketball: 67-62 win against No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats. Second win against a top 10 team this season.
MAR 17
Track & Field: Elijah Hall wins indoor 60m and 200m national titles. Men’s team finishes 7th with 26 points, highest total ever.
FEB 3
Men’s basketball: 73-59 win over No. 7 Wichita State. First win against a ranked opponent.
MAR 15
MAR 10
JAN 20
Softball: 4-1 win over Texas Tech Red Raiders. First game, first win of the season
Men’s basketball: 64-63 loss to Michigan Wolverines. Team knocked out of NCAA tournament on a buzzer beating three pointer.
Softball: 11-0 win over East Carolina Pirates. First conference series win of the season.
Baseball: 4-3 loss to Rice Owls. First game of the Silver Glove Series.
FEB 25
Baseball: 3-0 win over Memphis Tigers. First conference series win of the season.
Track & Field: men’s team wins fourth straight indoor conference title.
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Men’s basketball: 109-58 win against East Carolina Pirates. First game as a ranked team.
MAR 31
Baseball: 7-1 win over Holy Cross. First win of the season
Swimming & Diving: Team repeats as American Athletic Conference Champions
FEB 24
Women’s basketball: 97-81 win over East Carolina Pirates. 20th win of the season
MAR 27
MAR 24
FEB 17
Houstonian 2018
Track & Field: Men’s team named Most Outstanding Team at Texas Relays for first time since 1960. Elijah Hall runs nation leading 200m time.
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Houstonian 2018
ALL EYES ON GRADUATING SENIORS It comes as no surprise that the class of 2018 is one full of aspiring leaders. The list of accomplishments go on as thousands of seniors have proven to be avid members of the UH community. This year’s seniors have been involved in Greek life, student media and more. But most importantly, they have taken the opportunities to lead these groups, to better themselves and UH. by Maya Dandashi
Soheil Nanjee Executive Producer at CoogTV
Leading the growth of CoogTV in the past few years, Executive Producer Soheil Nanjee is on his second last semester at UH. “I joined CoogTV in 2015 and had the opportunity of working as the News and Sports Producer as well as the Chief Communication Officer in which I worked under the previous two executive producers. That really helped me be ready to apply and present my vision and goals in-front of the Student Media Advisory Committee,” Nanjee said.
Blair Alexander Student Coordinator for Student Leader Program at the LGBTQ Resource Center
Blair Alexander had proven to be a leader from the start. During her first year at UH, she aspired to join the LGBTQ Resource Center. At first, she applied for a position in the Student Leader Program. Although getting rejected from that position, she continued to push for involvement in the LGBTQ Resource Center. “I ran a couple of art-based discussion groups with the resource center in the fall semester of 2016,” Alexander said. “Then in January, she asked me to come on as the Student
Camille Mullery Treasurer of Association for Women in Communications
Running through multiple positions within the Association for Women in Communications, Camille Mullery has guided women of UH through challenges within the workforce. Previously holding the position of President, Mullery experienced many aspects of running an organization. “As president, I oversaw the officers of AWC and delegated tasks to ensure our members got the best experience they could from the organization,” Mullery said. “I had to consider the finances, membership and online presence of the
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e then, Nanjee has gone about to make changes in the s CoogTV has come to market themselves to the UH munity. Broadening their audience was only one of the s Nanjee had for the team.
are renovating our CoogTV studio, installing new equipt that can train our members for what they can expect e real world.” intentions to make change, CoogTV has definitely
evolved over the past few years in result of the hard work of leaders like Nanjee, and those before him. “The legacy I hope to leave after I graduate is one that we were able to accomplish this year by setting the roots of CoogTV for success,” Nanjee said. “Our goal is to become a hub that provides news and entertainment for the students the staff and anyone who watches as well as continue to be a professional environment where our members can harness their craft to its maximum potential before graduating.”
dinator to help with education based things and coording their schedules and meetings.”
able in the UH community. Especially having them become student leaders, to get them to go on to doing other things.”
e then, Alexander has discovered her passion for lending ping a hand and ensuring that those of the LGBTQ comity, in and out of UH, feel welcomed and recognized.
Her experience as a student leader at the LGBTQ center has made her yearn for more.
whole goal is to affirm and empower them,” Alexander “A lot of students come in very unsure of themselves, y goal is to leave them feeling confident about themes. Gender or sexual identity, but also feeling comfort-
nization throughout my term.”
pite resigning from her position as President, Mullery inued to influence members of the Communications munity and more.
ing herself throughout her college career, Mullery earned a multitude of skills through her leaderships ions and watching those before her succeed in those ions.
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“I would like to work at a non-profit. Do community outreach and planning,” Alexander said. “Creating programs for underprivileged and under service communities. Getting them access to the care and services that they need.”
cantly throughout my leadership experience,” Mullery said. “Being a leader has allowed me to talk to members of the community about their personal and professional journeys, and it has really helped me recognize my place in the world.”
el that my love and passion for UH has grown signifiPHOTOS COURTESY OF SOHEIL NANJEE, BLAIR ALEXANDER AND CAMILLE MULLERY
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iT’S OK NOT TO HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT by Erin Davis It feels like the questions start almost immediately, before you even have that cap and gown in your hands. “What are your plans after graduation?” “Do you have anything lined up?” “Have you considered graduate school?” As if finishing your degree and passing your classes weren’t enough, it feels like you have to have the next five years of your life planned out, all the way down to that mealprep you’ve been trying so hard to master. All you need to be able to cough up is your occupation, living situation, financial goals, and sense of self. You’re supposed to have prepared for this moment over the past four years. But, should you really? The American education system is notorious for continually pushing students through to “the next level.” Once you get through primary school, it’s onto middle school; then high school. From there, if your grades are acceptable, you’re promised to go to a good school and then get a comfortable job. For a lot of people, this is the American dream, and that’s perfectly admirable. But even though for some people this the American dream, it doesn’t have to be yours. Moving through pre-determined milestones can feel like progress,
even if internally, you’re not entirely sure what it is that you want. With the mass amount of class requirements, deadlines, registration, and applications, it can feel as though there’s hardly any time to sit back and ask, “What do I want from this experience?” or even, “Is this worth it?” The myth is that as long as you’re continually moving in a direction, the direction doesn’t really matter, and you should be satisfied with that. The result of this is often saturated in student debt, multiple changes in major and arguably too much education for entry-level jobs. Because there’s not an allotted time to sit back and breathe, by the time that college graduation rolls around, you’re left asking yourself, “Well now what?” And the worst part is, everyone around you is asking that same question. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a year off or traveling. There are plenty of opportunities for young people to step back from the rat race in the form of fellowships, internships and volunteering. They’re hard to find, but exploring different options can buy some time and offer valuable experience, all while you have a moment to contemplate your next move. Removing yourself from set expectations can give a huge amount of perspective. From a distance, it can be easier to see what your talents are, where your passion lies and what actions you can take to build your life and living around those things. Time away is not always an option,
and for many it’s a luxury. You have to start paying back your loans, after all. It’s important to acknowledge and remember that your first job or internship is most likely not going to be your forever job. Taking something, or anything, in your field allows for a steady paycheck and a feeling of accomplishment, even if you’re not entirely sure where you plan to go from there. Maybe you haven’t been able to find something right away, and that shouldn’t be seen as failure. Stay consistent with your job applications and stay positive. Use your time as productively as you can, and maybe use it to explore some personal projects you’ve kept on the back burner while in school. The important feel is to do something that you care about and are willing to work hard on, and the time will fly by. You never know, sometimes our personal projects can become our careers as well. There’s never a cut-off date to continue your education or change your career. It’s frequently forgotten that as a college graduate, you’re still young and have the rest of your life ahead of you. Even if you have a plan now, that plan is likely to change and evolve. Follow your intuition and take the time that you need to gain perspective. No one ever has it all figured out, and the fun part can be just staying open and see what comes your way.
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You got the degree, now what? Turns out, you have options. by Diamond Braxton Peace Corps If you’ve ever had the desire to help people, then consider joining the Peace Corps once you graduate before settling down with your “adult” job. There are hundreds of job opportunities within the Peace Corps ranging from teaching in other countries to teaching others how to farm to being a medical assistant in thirdworld countries. To be able to join the Peace Corps, you must be eighteenyears-old and most of the jobs require a bachelor’s degree of any kind. They also take unmarried couples that have been together for longer than a year, so don’t worry about leaving your loved one behind! You can check out their numerous volunteer opportunities on their “Volunteer Openings” page.
Teach For America You have a passion for education and believe that all students should have equal rights to a good education. If this sounds like you, then consider applying to join TFA, an organization of leaders that want to create equal education for all. To be able to join Teach For America, you must have a bachelor’s degree, a cumulative GPA of a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale, and be a U.S. citizen, Nationals, Legal permanent residents or DACA recipients. Teach for America has tons of jobs on their job board; however, make sure to apply in advance because the hiring process can take 6-10 weeks. You will receive employee benefits from health benefits, life/accident insurance, paid time off & leave, retirement plan, financial advising and flexible spending accounts. So don’t be afraid; go make a difference today!
National Park Service Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to help preserve wildlife? Consider becoming a National Park Ranger to protect the outdoors and preserve its health. To apply to work for the National Park Service you must have a bachelor’s degree, be a U.S. citizen and be okay with background checks. The National Park Service doesn’t just employ rangers; they also hire architects, maintenance workers, lifeguards, engineers and more. The job board shows a wide range of employment opportunities under the National Park Service. The National Park Service also includes internship and volunteer opportunities.
Internships Once you graduate, most jobs will be looking to hire on interns or workers for entry-level jobs. These jobs are designed to get you into the groove of the job before you work your way up in the company; they help you see if you’ll be a good fit for the company. You can always find internship opportunities on websites such as Indeed, Internships.com and WayUp. Internships are a good way to get your foot in the door without having to fully step through. You don’t have to commit to the job if you’re not ready; you can gain your experience and find a company that you might fit in with.
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THE ULTIMATE RESUME GUIDE
by Julie Araica
As a student with limited work-related experience, knowing what and what not to include on your resume is always tricky. Here are the things (in order of importance) that you should include on your resume, whether you’re struggling to fill up space, or PHOTO COURTESY OF UH aren’t sure of what to include.
INCLUDE THE RELEVANT STUFF This may seem like a no-brainer, but always put the stuff that is relevant to your field first. If you don’t have enough experience relevant to your field, then talk about the things you learned at other jobs you did that show soft skills you needed that would be applicable to the job you’re applying for. Potential employers want to see the work experience you have, and the fact that you could balance school and work will only prove to them how motivated and hardworking you are.
FOCUS ON EDUCATION If you lack much experience, but you’ve had good academic accomplishments, highlight this in your resume. Every student should have their school, degree and GPA listed. Plus, if you’ve made the dean’s list every year, that should go on there too.
TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Being a captain of a sports team, holding a position in a club and even mentoring others are all great ways to emphasize your ability not only be a leader, but to be a part of a team.
EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE Volunteer work and community service, as well as other non-work activities can help an employer get to know more about you and what your passions are.
QUICK TIPS: Use action verbs: don’t ever speak in passive voice on your resume! Always use verbs that really tell the reader what you did. Edit, edit, edit: some employers will not even consider your resume if it comes in with a typo on it, so be sure to carefully look over it and get someone else to as well before you send it in. Numbers are your friends: quantify where you can. You weren’t just a cashier, you managed at least $10,000 daily. You didn’t just plan events, you planned events for over 500 estimated students. PHOTO COURTESY BIG STOCK Look at other resumes: become familiar with the language that resumes speak, and use them as a guide when writing yourOFown. Templates are everywhere, so find ones relevant to your field and get an idea of what it should look like.
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WE ASKED STUDENTS... PHOTOS BY JULIE ARAICA
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INEOS is a rapidly growing manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty and intermediate chemicals, and polymers. The INEOS Group is one of the world’s largest chemical companies with 67 manufacturing facilities in 16 countries. INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA is a significant entity of the INEOS Group that services the North American market with facilities in Alvin and LaPorte, TX as well as Carson, CA. INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA is looking to grow our business by recruiting the best engineering and commercial graduates. INEOS success is built on challenge, seeking new opportunities and giving our people the scope and accountability to deliver. We are a company that works safely and operates responsibly, satisfies customers, grows through performance and maximizes people’s contributions. INEOS offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package. If you are prepared to go beyond your comfort zone then we will help you develop further than you can imagine - ARE YOU IN? NEXT
INEOS Hires Engineering, Business, IT, Finance and Accounting graduates
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Congratulations
ROSANETTE AND HARRY H. CULLEN INVESTMENTS INDEPENDENT OIL OPERATOR P.O. BOX 3331 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77253
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INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT COMBUSTION www.indeco-tx.com
CAROLE COOK (CEO) ‘83 LEE TRACY (SALES ENGINEER) ‘88 IN MEMORY OF EUGENE ARP ‘67
6039 SOUTH LOOP EAST HOUSTON, TX 77033 713-928-3181 Sales@indeco-tx.com
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CED HOUSTON 850 Greens Parkway Houston TX. 77067 281.873.4233 www.cedhouston.com
Please call CED Houston for all your Electrical Supply Needs. CED was honored to supply the lighting, controls and electrical distribution material for your new facility
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
2055 Silber Road, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77055 713-956-0098 Ph 713-956-7044 Fax
James H. Metzger, P.E. President
jmetzger@metzgerconst.com www.metzgerconstruction.com
CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES!
JONMAR ELECTRIC 7700 Renwick, Suite 6-A Houston, TX 77081 (713) 668-1559
12235 ROBIN BLVD. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77045 PH 713-434-7600 FX 713-434-8626 www.threelinc.com
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