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.
Cal Lutheran has a very distinct and developed criminal justice department that offers a variety of networking opportunities through clubs and required internships. The major also implements a structured curriculum that pushes and encourages students to be the very best they can be. The psychology department is built to provide you with foundational knowledge as well as routes to take based on your interests, some of them being biopsychology, child and family development, and law and criminal behavior.
The criminology & criminal justice program at Cal Lutheran incorporates an internship as part of graduation requirements, which pushes students to gain work experience and helps them stand out from the rest upon graduating. The political science program also has interesting travel seminars and experiential learning opportunities like Model United Nations and Urban Politics in Washington D.C.
I love business administration because there are so many routes you can take. I was able to learn so much about various aspects of business while still focusing on the marketing side of things. I’ve learned through this department that it is very important to understand all aspects of business, even if your emphasis is on something else. I believe this has made me a more well-rounded individual.
The film and television program is very hands-on, and the equipment and spaces are up to date, which helps students get comfortable with the equipment quickly. The faculty’s connections to production studios and sports and news companies help provide many internship and job opportunities for students. The Theatre Arts curriculum encourages students to get involved in both sides of the theatre (tech or performing), really expanding their knowledge and allowing for growth and discovery of new passions. I have been passionate about theatre and performing for the majority of my life, but the theatre department at Cal Lutheran has confirmed those passions.
In both physics and computer science, I particularly enjoyed delving into research projects that allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Overall, the combination of hands-on research opportunities, engaging classes, and supportive faculty made my experience at Cal Lutheran truly rewarding and memorable.
Connecting my love of being in tune with myself, as well as understanding how to share love with others, I realized helping people through their sensuality struggles, emotionally, mentally, and physically is my calling in life.
Growing up in the disadvantaged and marginalized community of Nyeland Acres in Ventura County, I never saw women, let alone women of color, represented in the legal field. The lack of representation in my community left a profound impact on me and made me aware of the systemic barriers and biases that hinder minorities from pursuing their dreams. With a deep commitment to social justice and a desire to utilize the law as a tool for positive change, political science provides me with the necessary tools and perspectives to pursue a career dedicated to advancing justice and equality.
I have always been passionate about approaching English with a social justice lens. In high school, I was fascinated with learning about untold stories of minorities while I invested myself in literature that connected with my experiences as a first-generation Latina woman. I found novels like I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez and so many others that pushed me toward majors such as English and Ethnic Studies.