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.
Right after graduating, I started working in venture capital, with impact funds that invest in underrepresented founders. The environment at Cal Lutheran gave me the confidence to pursue my interests in venture capital, with a particular focus on supporting the Latino community.The strong presence of the Hispanic community at Cal Lutheran reinforced my desire to make an impact by deploying capital into Latino-owned businesses.
The communication department was a great way to catapult into the work that I do. My main job function is recruiting, which requires a lot of marketing techniques. I have a lot of social media marketing experience now, and I really learned a lot about corporate communications through my JonesWorks and College of Arts and Sciences internship I had at Cal Lutheran. These skills have helped me increase our recruiting outreach over the last few months, which I am very proud of.
Cal Lutheran and the business administration program significantly contributed to my professional development with a wide range of courses in the knowledge of business administration. The program’s classes and events have also allowed me to connect with CEOs, entrepreneurs, project managers, and professionals in various roles. Those conversations have guided me toward and opened doors for my future career in project management.
I worked at Media Services for about two years, where I developed event coordination skills, such as good communication and time management, to make sure that things were getting done in a timely and effective manner. In my current role, I communicate a lot across different departments and have a lot of things that need to get done in certain time frames, so those are essential skills to have. I also took a bunch of film classes that helped me learn all that I did!
The program’s combination of technical know-how and strategic thinking is crucial for navigating the intricacies of the modern digital environment. With an MSIT, I can concentrate on problems in systems administration, data analysis, and creative tech solutions, which will help me grow professionally and be a valuable asset to any firm. The curriculum offers a unique combination of strategic leadership and technology, enabling students to adapt to and change the tech landscape.
Through the political science program, I learned how to work in a team environment and work collaboratively with my peers. I also honed my writing skills which collectively allowed me to thrive in my internship and will allow me to succeed in my fellowship role in Sacramento.