I chose my majors (Political Science and Psychology) because I have always wanted to make a difference in the world by being aware of the political systems in place and what is going on in people’s minds. My majors intrigue and challenge me to pursue a career where I can positively impact the world and the people around me.
Majoring in biology, there are endless routes that you can go with it, and it made me feel more at ease not being boxed into a certain career based on my major. I also knew that majoring in biology at a smaller school could optimize my opportunities to build my resume and become a more competitive applicant for graduate school.
The more you immerse yourself in the science language and basic theories the easier it is to learn more and develop critical thinking strategies to help with upper-division studies. My advice is to stick with it no matter how challenging a stem major can get, you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish if you truly have a passion for science.
The biology program exposed me to a side of education that I previously was unaware of. I experienced methods of teaching such as reverse classrooms, in-class discussions on research papers, and self-constructed research projects that expanded my knowledge and, even more importantly, got me excited about learning. I use these learning methods to this day in dental school.
My experience conducting research taught me key skills like critical thinking, advanced writing, and being a great team member. Doing research allowed me to graduate with biology departmental honors, and helped me stand out in my application to my graduate program.
Geology can be challenging at times with the various course requirements, but in the end, it’s worth it for the overall experience. The geoscience community is also very open and welcoming at Cal Lutheran and outside.
Environmental science is perfect for those who can’t choose between science and humanities or have some love for both. I think it’s a great interdisciplinary field that teaches you the science between all of earth’s systems and how they interact but also how people, culture, history, and literature all interact with the environment.
My major provided me with a lot of opportunities to beef up my resume. It really made me stand out when looking for a job. My most useful skill I learned was time management and meeting deadlines. As a Geologist for an environmental consultant company, meeting deadlines for reports is very important to keep clients happy.
I definitely recommend the political science program for anyone wanting to experience a semester someplace different and gain valuable work experience in a field you’re interested in! Our Political Science Department sets students up well for life after graduation and demonstrates the many different fields we can work in.
Through my participation in the College Republican club I was able to attend the Republican Presidential Debate at the Reagan Library. I volunteered in the spin room and was able to assist the staff by guiding the candidates into the spin room and to the different media outlets.
I love both physics and music production passionately, and I wanted a challenge that reflects my capabilities. My double major expresses my ideas about developing intelligence along with talent and a bit of charisma. I love to do what is unexpected, maybe even irregular, and surprise people with capabilities they didn’t know I had.
When I paint or draw figurative work, I do what figurative artists tend to do: I idealize my subjects. In my case, though, this idealization has somewhat less to do with desirable proportions or complexion than it might for many artists; rather, the idealized person is confident and strong, the master of his or her own world: human, yet exuding all of the poise and dignity of a god.
The first thing I tell any pre-med student I meet is to discover if this is really the field you want to pursue by working in clinics or the hospital because I always say, “How can you know that you want to be a doctor if you have yet to experience what it’s like to be a doctor?”
The most valuable portion of the pre-med program for me has been meeting other like-minded students who have similar goals.
I love that I am able to have one major that is specifically focused on one area of study, but that I am also in the position to incorporate an interdisciplinary major such as Global Studies into my academic experience at Cal Lutheran. I believe this will broaden both my appeal to potential employers, as well as my overall world-view.
Every day I go to class or meet a new person on campus I learn something new that shapes the person I am today. I’m not afraid to pursue new goals or venture down a different path because CLU has encouraged me to do this during my college career.
While at Cal Lutheran, I was challenged in many ways to push my limits academically and reach higher heights. The history program was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished, but I graduated in time and with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
I think the biggest inspiration I’ve received from a class here was Computer Graphics with Dr. Reinhart. We utilized Linear Algebra tricks to perform some pretty cool graphical manipulations. The math and programming behind them required time and patience, but it was very worth while.
My research was focused on identifying mutations in common canine cancers and examining how they relate to human cancers.
Working this summer with Dr. Kingsbury was eye-opening to say the least. Every day was an adventure in learning all the advanced techniques that professional chemists use to expertly manipulate materials.
I fell in love with street art while studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Working with Dr. Fiore, I decided to focus on Latinas making street art, and graffiti and muralism in Los Angeles.
The faculty at Cal Lutheran really take an interest in students’ performances and their interest in their fields. They were always open to talk to me about any questions I have about the academics, graduate schools, and possible jobs I could apply to.
I am constantly being pushed to do the best I can, and this helps me realize what I am truly trying to achieve. In that aspect, I think that Cal Lutheran has helped me discover my purpose.
As an exercise science major, I feel that the wide-range of knowledge I have obtained during my four years at Cal Lutheran has given me all the tools I need to become successful in my future endeavors.
The Swenson Science Summer Fellowship helped me to learn more about what to expect out of the trial and error process and how to encounter the unexpected in a lab setting.