Graduate advice

The time is almost here when, for most of us, it is swimsuits and four months of relaxation before another year of classes start—for others, no such thing. For the seniors who are graduating, there is an entire new world of opportunities that has opened.

The time is almost here when, for most of us, it is swimsuits and four months of relaxation before another year of classes start—for others, no such thing. For the seniors who are graduating, there is an entire new world of opportunities that has opened. For some, they are going on to graduate school to further their studies either at PSU or somewhere new they have grown fond of. And for others, it is months of traveling or working.

Congratulations, class of 2009! Here are the plans of some of you guys, and also their advice for the rest of us.

Katie Mosbacher, B.A. in social science, minor in sociology

Daily Vanguard: What is your current major?
Katie Mosbacher:
My major is social science, with a minor in sociology.

DV: What have you liked about PSU since you’ve been here?
KM:
I have really liked the student involvement in political and social issues. Environmental sustainability is a stable value of the university that I think is really great. The promotion of basic things like commuting by bicycle and recycling on a large scale campus has made a huge impact on the student body’s attitude and awareness of the environment and sustainability.

DV: What is your favorite part about PSU and what would you have changed?
KM:
My favorite part about PSU is its location in downtown Portland. The urban setting fits me much more than a small, college town. Going to college in Portland has allowed me to become very familiar with the city and meet people from all walks of life.

If I could go back and change something about my experience going to PSU, I would have lived on campus or at least closer. Commuting to PSU made it difficult to make lasting friendships with my classmates.

DV: What benefits did you get from attending PSU?
KM:
In attending PSU and just college in general, I feel like I have benefited greatly in expanding my mind and becoming a more critical thinker. I was a good student in high school but never really challenged myself. At PSU, I have had many opportunities to challenge myself and become a better, informed citizen.

DV: What class would you recommend and why?
KM:
Sex and The Family with Ben Anderson-Nathe. I have never learned so much from a class. Ben is a very inspiring teacher and provides a really great learning environment for his students. He challenges and pushes students to ask questions that greatly benefit overall learning and understanding.

DV: What do you hope to do after college?
KM
: I am a little undecided with what I will actually do after college. What I would hope to do is travel. I have lived in a little Oregon bubble my whole life and feel like I now have the tools to explore outside of my comfort zone. While it would be great to fall into a career soon after college, I think it is more realistic for me to do things like travel and dabble in various jobs.

DV: Anything else you would like to add to the rest of us who are still at PSU?
KM:
For those of you still at PSU, I advise you to study and do what you love and are passionate for. There is so much pressure for college students to choose an area of study that is “practical.” While practicality can be great, it also can be really boring and leave you feeling unfulfilled.

Tyler Hill, B.S. in Political Science

Daily Vanguard: What is your current major?
Tyler Hill:
B.S. in political science.

DV: What have you liked about PSU since you’ve been here?
TH:
Being that this is my second time around in college and I am older than the typical college student … I enjoyed being around other people who were in a similar situation. There were still students I could relate to and connect with. I also appreciated that most professors were cognizant of the fact that many students also had jobs outside of school, and were accommodating.

DV: What benefits did you get from attending PSU?
TH:
I think there were some that I didn’t take advantage of. I’m one of the invincibles. The greatest benefit I got from attending PSU was that I got connected with my internship at the capitol through Dr. Clucas.

DV: What class would you recommend and why?
TH:
There were a few interesting ones. I’ve heard great things about the Power Game, but never had a chance to take it. My two favorite classes were probably Power Transition Theory [with Dr. Tammen] and Political Psychology [with Dr. Hess]. They were the most thought provoking and each had an impact on how I currently view the world.

DV: What do you hope to do after college?
TH:
I am on the fence with what to do postgraduation. I really want to get involved in my father’s food distribution business. I also want to stay involved in local politics after my internship. I plan on working on a campaign for the 2009 election, and perhaps working as a legislative assistant for the 2010 session. I would also like to run for office one day, perhaps 2012.