Environmental science has always interested me. I like learning about how interlocking systems work together, and I think the natural world is a perfect example of that. As I got to get to know the faculty, how the department works, and think about how I interacted with my own spirituality, I came to feel like a theology major was the right fit for me.
My summer research was a great asset in addition to applying to grad school. This was perfect timing to do research, and it was a great opportunity to boost my grad school application for sure; especially with the mentorship that I got from Dr. Hanrahan. He was able to direct me into what I needed to do for grad school.
I love the religion major because there are so few of us, which means that we all know each other really well. I’ve had access to not only my two faculty mentors but all of our staff really closely, and everyone has expertise that’s relevant to what I’m researching. I get to have a lot of eyes and hands on my project as well as a ton of support, and that has been incredible for keeping everything going.
The political science program at Cal Lutheran provided me with a strong foundation in critical thinking, policy analysis, and advocacy — skills that are essential in my current work. I appreciated the engaging discussions in my classes, which always pushed me to consider different perspectives. Regardless of the path I take, the foundation I built in political science has given me the tools to pursue work that has an impact on society.
The supportive faculty and numerous networking opportunities helped me build essential professional relationships and gain industry insights. My professors also incorporated their industry and public accounting experiences into their lectures, offering real-world examples that better prepared me for corporate America.
The courses in my program provided me with foundational knowledge and the labs gave me practical, hands-on experience to apply that knowledge from the classroom. Cal Lutheran made me more confident in my abilities as a scientist.
I participated in undergraduate research, which I think is valuable for anyone majoring in a STEM field. It’s rare to find small institutions with research programs, so I took advantage of this opportunity and it taught me a lot about real experimentation.
I would absolutely recommend biology, especially for students who are curious about how life operates at its most fundamental levels. If you’re detail-oriented, enjoy hands-on work, and want a career where you are constantly learning, it’s a great choice. My best advice is to find great professors who are passionate about what they teach, it makes science much more engaging!
I chose my business administration major because I have always been drawn to business and entrepreneurship. When I created a Poshmark account and started selling my clothes, I quickly became obsessed with sustainable fashion and seriously considered chasing my dream of having a brand of my own. It wasn’t until I got the Steven Dorfman
Scholarship at Cal Lutheran that I finally felt like it could become a reality. I’ve been lucky enough to receive validation and support from an entire team of faculty, expressing their strong faith in me and my career ambitions.
Growing up, I struggled with my health as a result of severe food allergies and a lack of culturally and language-proficient providers. Biochemistry provided me with the means to make sense of the molecular reactions governing the makeup of the body. To think that the allergic reactions I had growing up were chains of chemical reactions within my cells. Today I use the knowledge of my degree to help others with their understanding of the molecular mechanisms that make the world.