This year First Graduate® was pleased to partner with LinkedIn to provide two of our students, Derrick and Jose Luis, an amazing social media internship opportunity. After spending a few weeks at the LinkedIn offices in San Francisco learning the ins-and-outs of social media, these students have returned to campus (Derrick is a senior at Chapman College and Jose Luis is a freshman at Wesleyan University). Let’s see what they’ve been up to…
I cannot believe that I am a senior in college! It is so surreal! I remember like it was just yesterday, that I was researching what colleges to go to, writing my personal statements, and filling out FAFSA forms.
Going back to campus was a culture shock. I had just recently studied abroad in Thailand, so I was away from Chapman for about 9 months. A lot has changed with my school. There are new buildings, new teachers, and a lot of minor changes, for example: yesterday, I was doing homework with a classmate, and they changed the location of the computer labs and fully updated it with new Macs and P.C.’s. I was in shock and yelled out loud, “I only leave for a semester and this is what happens”.
Another big shock is that since I am one of the “big dogs on campus”, I rarely see anyone. Most of my friends have graduated last year or are studying abroad. The good thing about that is when I do see former classmates or familiar friends, it’s a nice encounter and we talk for a long time about how we are doing and etc.
Looking back on t he journey that led me here, I am so glad I joined First Graduate. I honestly do not know what I would do without it. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of all the opportunities handed to me at Chapman! Recently, through Chapman’s career portal, I applied and obtained an internship with DreamWorks Animation as a Digital Marketing intern! The opportunities are endless. First Graduate® means the world to me. They are family and I encourage anyone who is thinking about getting involved to do it! Even if it is something as little as volunteering just for a day, you are helping out in so many ways.
As of now, I am looking forward to graduation. My next step is to find a job related to marketing or public relations. I wouldn’t be opposed to staying in Southern California or moving back home to San Francisco. Wherever opportunities knock, I will take action!
My time here in college is short, but I am going to make the most of it! As they say, Last Year – Best Year!
As I was getting on the plane to move 3,000 miles away from the grandiose hills of the Bay Area and my home, I felt a pit in my stomach. I was very nervous, but I could not quite pinpoint why just yet. I was going to be surrounded by a lot of new students and people from different backgrounds or experiences. I didn’t know whether or not this was something to be proud of or to be scared about. But, what I did know is that this would be the beginning of some of the best years of my life. And if I did not take advantage of the opportunities that were in my path, I would be missing out.
Then, in almost in a blink of an eye, I was in the dance studio rehearsing choreography for “In The Heights,” while trying to sing an A minor at the same time. I am speaking French as it was my first language and I am learning about the power of socialism from a psychological perspective. I am immersed into a new world here at Wesleyan. However, when I need some reminders from home I know that there are a lot of students here at Wesleyan that I can connect with not only intellectually, but culturally as well. Which helps with some of the homesickness because I can speak Spanish to some people and share our experiences.
There is always something to do on campus on the weekends, which is why I (an urban teenager) am never bored in this beautiful rural setting. For example, my second weekend at Wesleyan, there was roller-skating on campus. There are also several spoken-word sessions throughout the week and we host many musical and multi-cultural events. I have also been keeping myself busy with participating in QueerWes and Ajua Campos, which is our LGBTQI+ and Latino organization on campus respectively. This past weekend, I also had the opportunity to march alongside fellow Wesleyan students at the New York City People’s Climate March against climate change
Although this is just the beginning so far for me, I am excited to see what is ahead. I am ready to take on college!
