Daily Forty-Niner; September 20, 2021

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Vol. LXXIII, Issue 34

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Monday, September 20, 2021

2 ARTS & LIFE

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The majority of students enrolled at CSULB are undergraduate students, and some may not understand how graduate school works.

WHAT IS GRAD SCHOOL?

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By Timothy Wu Contributor

P

ostgraduate school is a conversation that often comes up between undergraduate students.

Common questions may arise like what is grad school? What does it provide? When are the deadlines to apply?

In short, grad school is a higher level of education above a bachelor’s degree.

Providing doctoral and master’s degrees, grad schools give students an extra edge in a selected field such as business, law or medicine. It has also become mandatory for some entry-level jobs.

Other majors such as computer science, bilingual education, and engineering also feature master’s programs in select schools.

For those looking into grad school, here are the major requirements and deadlines to watch out for: Degree and GPA requirement: Grad schools require a bachelor’s or an equivalent degree from an international school, such as an honors bachelor’s from the United Kingdom.

They also typically have a GPA requirement, usually a 3.0 minimum.

Letters of recommendation: Three or more letters of recommendation for the application process.

Personal statement: Students interested in grad schools will need to write a personal essay detailing who they are and why they wish to enter the school.

Standardized tests: The standardized tests needed vary from major to major and school to school, but the four most common standardized tests are: The GRE is a general exam where it tests

reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical writing. The GRE also includes specific subject tests you may opt to take, such as biology, chemistry, and English literature.

The MCAT is specific for medical school, testing topics such as biological systems and psychological behavior.

The GMAT is for business schools, with topics such as arithmetic algebra and interpreting data using critical thinking.

Law schools require the LSAT, which tests students’ level of logical reasoning and reading comprehension.

Each school and department have different requirements regarding standardized tests, so consult with each school to know which tests you need to take.

Deadlines: Application deadlines for grad school are often in December, but they too vary for majors and schools, so make sure you check with your specific school and program to know your deadlines.

As for what grad school actually entails, it might seem like it would be similar work of going to classes and taking quizzes, but it can be much more than that.

Grad schools tend to be extremely specialized and have a greater emphasis on students doing their own research, writing papers, and even getting hands-on experience via internships or presentations at conferences.

However, grad school can be expensive and graduating thousands of dollars in debt may seem like a scary prospect.

The average debt owed by grad school students is $41,000, according to the American Progress.

Grad school is a big commitment, from both a financial and a time perspective.

While it can eventually lead to a better career and a higher salary, it comes with its limitations.

While many jobs are requiring a postgraduate from their job candidates, it is not necessary for every job.

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ARTS & LIFE 3

Staying positive and preparing for life after graduation

By Cindy Aguilera Contributor

J

ob hunting for graduates after COVID-19 turned a once exciting journey into an anxiety-inducing endeavor.

For CSULB 2019 graduate Sydney Morgan, a political science major, finding a job after graduating from college took a while due to work experience required by most employers.

“My experience looking for a job was kind of difficult. I spent a year post undergrad teaching English in South Korea, but when I returned home to Long Beach it was hard to find a job,” said Morgan. “I felt under qualified and lacking in experience. Even entry level jobs that were for an administrative assistant required two to three years.”

According to a 2021 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021, the labor market continues to reflect the impact of COVID-19, where discouraged job-seekers like Morgan, believe that no jobs are available for them.

But in fact, available jobs in the market increased by 121,000 by February, according to the report.

Today, Morgan works as a scheduling coordinator for a recruiting company, and has launched a property management and rental business. She attributes her success largely to internships she had before graduating.

“CSULB helped me prepare for the workforce by helping me with my resume writing and interview skills,” said Morgan. “I did end up getting multiple internships during my undergraduate years in political offices as well as the court house.

These experiences helped me to get experience in a real world work setting.”

Morgan said that she remained positive during this time by practicing self-care.

“To offset the stress of job hunting, I would journal, go running, meditate, go on

Photo Courtesy of Sydney Morgan

CSULB class of 2019 alumna Sydney Morgan reflects on the positives and negatives of her experience searching for a job after graduation.

walks, and spend time with my friends,” she said.

Robert E. Emmons, author of “Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier,” writes that “happy individuals are also more creative, helpful, charitable, and self-confident, have better self-control, and show greater self regulatory and coping abilities. Happy people, the facts clearly show, are flourishing and successful people.”

Someone who has a positive attitude and good grasp on their mental health is able to take the circumstances and turn them into something good, like Morgan.

CSULB class of 2021 graduate Keren Barrera-Garcia wants to become a notary but said she has also struggled to find an adequate job in her field.

“I am currently looking for a new job in my major,” Barrera-Garcia said.

“It is difficult because in my hometown, there are not many jobs in my major. I am currently working at Target while I explore new opportunities.”

Barrera-Garcia said her job search has caused her stress, but despite this struggle, she has been able to stay positive and excited about her future.

To offset the anxiety that comes with job hunting, selfcare is key but so is preparation.

One resource to prepare graduating students is the LBSU Career Link website which has a schedule of events like virtual job fairs, resume writing, and time management workshops that are available for graduating students.

Graduates will have to work harder to be employed in today’s job market but it’s not all bad. A Pew Research article shows how being flexible and adapting as a college grad can help you, so have some hope. The report shows that education level has a higher effect on your ability to work remotely.

So remember to prepare well before graduation, adapt to the circumstances and make good mental health a priority.

4 ARTS & LIFE

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TIN HUYNH | Daily Forty-Niner

Alina Maulenova, 3rd year, major in Business Management.

Students’ post graduate plan

TIN HUYNH | Daily Forty-Niner

Aden Gomez, 1st year, major in Cellular Biology.

“

By Tin Huynh Assistant Photo Editor

F

or Alina Maulenova, postgraduate life includes owning a coffee shop in Korea one day.

A third-year international student from Kazakhstan, Maulenova studies business management at Long Beach State after her university in Korea granted her the opportunity to study in the United States.

“I don‘t think you need to study for a graduate degree in business,” MauIenova said. “I feel like it‘s more practical, like, you need to gain experience from [it]. I don‘t know why I would need a PhD to open a coffee shop.”

When she arrived to the U.S., Maulenova said she felt at ease and calm despite it being her first time in a Western country.

She said that she appreciates the California weather as opposed to Korea, where it is more polarizing.

Brandon Miura is a fourth-year student studying speech language pathology. When he graduates with his bachelor’s degree, he would like to move on to graduate school to pursue a degree in physical therapy.

When considering a career path in health services, Miura said he picked speech language pathology as a safe degree that he could find a set job in.

“The speech language pathology degree is something I could fall on,” Miura, who has experience in working as a behavior interventionist, said. “My choice that I would like to pursue and that I have a passion for, physical therapy, just takes time.”

I don’t think you need to study for a graduate degree in business, I feel like it’s more practical, like, you need to gain experience from [it] __ Alina Maulenova, third-year international student

”

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ARTS & LIFE 7

TIMOTHY WU | Daily Forty-Niner

Going to grad school internationally may be something to think about.

By Timothy Wu Contributor

A

s the student debt crisis only continues to grow in the United States, studying abroad in a country where tuition may be free seems like a more enticing option.

But what are the merits of pursuing postgraduate education outside of the United States versus that of a foreign country?

For starters, free tuition in select countries within the Schengen area of Europe often offer free tuition for public universities, including France, Germany and Norway.

However, there is a catch. To apply for a student visa, the European government needs to see a “Means of Subsistence,” or proof that you can sustain

How international postgraduate school offers cheaper alternatives to stateside student

yourself for a set amount of time after arriving.

Some of those countries, like Germany, also have something called “semester contributions,” which means paying the college a fee each semester.

While the semester contribution may seem like the equivalent of tuition in the United States, the cost is significantly lower.

With student debt crisis in the U.S. at around $1.73 trillion, going to a country with free or cheaper tuition can help students avoid becoming part of the statistic while pursuing postgraduate education.

In addition to free or lower tuition, studying abroad offers students more job opportunities as employers consider applicants

who have studied overseas to have skills better suited to work in more than one work environment.

In a study done by Hostelworld, it was found that 23% of employers would rather choose someone who studied abroad versus someone who didn’t.

Meanwhile the same study states that 41% of employers would consider

offering a higher salary to someone who got their degree overseas.

Not only can tuition oversees be free, the cost of living is also significantly lower. For example, just cost of living in Long Beach is 43% higher than the national average according to Payscale.

However, if you decide to move overseas and go to an international grad school somewhere like Taipei, Taiwan, you’ll find that, the cost of rent on average is 53% lower than in Long Beach, according to Numbeo.

An average one bedroom apartment in Taipei costs around $480 while one in Long Beach would cost nearly $2000. Saving money and not having to compromise on food or rent for your education can be incredibly important for financially struggling students.

As diverse and cultural as Long Beach is, the chance to study abroad comes bundled with valuable life experience. There are several opportunities to immerse into a new culture, full of new cuisine and even learn a new language.

8 ARTS & LIFE

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How the pandemic affected t

By Hannah

March 2020 - Long Beach State suspends in-person classes With the spread of the novel Coronavirus, CSULB announced Wednesday, March 11, 2020, that in-person classes were suspended. Class sessions were canceled and resumed on a virtual platform on March 18.

Paris Barraza, a graduate of CSULB’s class of 2021 said that she regretted not being able to have the full experience of attending university on campus.

“I had to embrace the fact that my college experience would be, simply put, untraditional,” Barraza, who graduated with a bachelor’s in journalism, said. “It was a bitter pill to swallow.”

April through May 2020 - Increase in unemployment In three months, California’s unemployment rate went up nearly 12%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data showed that over 2.3 million Californians lost their jobs between the months of March and April alone.

Ondrea Ortega, a CSULB 2021 graduate with a bachelor’s in public relations, worked in retail and said many of her fellow employees were laid off at the beginning of the pandemic.

“Although I had the luxury of living with my parents, I worried about paying my bills,” Ortega said.

Ortega added that she was grateful she was one of the few who was able to keep their employment.

June through July 2020 - Black Lives Matter George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was arrested by Minneapolis officers on May 25, 2020. Officer Derek Chauvin killed Floyd after pinning him on the ground for nine minutes, unable to breathe, with two other officers looking on.

The death of Floyd upset the nation, where countless people poured into the streets, protesting police brutality.

CSULB President Jane Close Conoley gave a OneBeach message in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying that Long Beach State did not condone police brutality. Conoley said the university supported community policing and was grateful for the relationships built between campus police and students, faculty, and staff.

“We cannot, however, support the kinds of abuses of power that have historically targeted Black communities at-large,” Conoley said.

August through October 2020 - California Fires An estimated 2.5 million California acres burned in 2020, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The department said that year was “the largest wildfire season recorded in California’s modern history.”

The August Complex fire, ignited by a thunderstorm on Aug. 16 and 17, burned across seven counties and covered an area slightly larger than Rhode Island, according to the Cal Fire incident archive.

In early September, California record-breaking heatwaves. The dry heat combined with the Diablo and Santa Ana winds further agitated the fires, which grew twice as large as the Mendocino Complex, according to Cal Fire.

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ARTS & LIFE 9

the graduating class of 2021

h Shields

November 2020 - The Presidential Election Former vice president Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Trump was the first president to lose his re-election campaign since George H.W. Bush in 1992.

Biden and Trump had opposite stands on key policy issues, such as handling the pandemic, criminal justice reform, immigration, and climate change.

Ortega said she worried over the results of the election because her basic human rights were at stake.

“Before Trump came into office, I was never too engaged in politics,” Ortega said. “As a young gay Hispanic female, I had to pay more attention than ever.”

December 2020 - Spike in COVID-19 cases On Dec. 3, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a conditional stay-at-home order in response to the rapid rise of hospitalizations from Nov. 15 through Dec. 2. Any region below 15% ICU capacity would trigger the order.

By Dec. 14, over 4,000 people were hospitalized with COVID in the Los Angeles County, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health. From Dec. 14 through Dec. 20, hospitalization numbers increased by over 1,300 new cases in those six days alone.

By Dec. 24, California became the first state to surpass over two million COVID-19 cases, with over 23,000 deaths, according to Cal Matters. On Christmas, ICUs were at 0% capacity statewide.

Spring 2021 - Anti Asian-hate protests In the months of April through June 2021, nearly 2,500 anti-Asian hate incidents were reported to the Stop AAPI Hate coalition. This nonprofit group was formed in response to the increase of hate and bigotry against the Asian American community during the COVID pandemic.

Rajvinder “RJ” Singh, a CSULB graduate with a major in journalism and minor in film, said anti-Asian harassment was something he had never been able to escape.

“For lack of a better word, I’d say I was already a bit numb to it,” he said.

Growing up South Asian, Singh said he has been affected by events such as 9/11 and Osama bin Laden.

“I feel like there are very few specific people who need to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, and I was one of them during that semester,” Singh said.

Spring 2021 - Post-graduation Singh had chosen to continue his education and is applying to USC for his master’s in specialized arts journalism. He said he felt there was so much left to learn.

“It felt like COVID had stolen my education in some kind of way,” he said.

Ortega has also chosen to pursue her master’s degree in public relations online at Southern New Hampshire University. She did not originally plan to attend grad school because it had taken so long to get her bachelor’s.

“Over the pandemic, I decided that getting my master’s may be beneficial,” she said. “Although I’d get started in the field, my job is 100% paying for my master’s degree.”

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ARTS & LIFE 11

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Large corporations work to reduce their employees student debt

By Katalina Quintanilla Contributor

L RF STUDIO | Pexels

CSULB students graduate with an average of $15,000 in debt.

arge corporations, including Taco Bell and Disney, are just some of the many places students can look into to pursue a postgraduate degree.

Graduate school may be expensive to attend, but there are opportunities from employers to help cover tuition costs.

According to College Confidential, five companies that cover the full cost of tuition for employees at select schools are Starbucks, Disney, Chipotle, Amazon and UPS. If an employee is working part-time or full-time at Disney parks, they can qualify for their Disney Aspire program. Where 100% of tuition is paid upfront for schools that network with Disney, according to the Disney Aspire web page.

Disney is not expecting their employees to continue their schooling based on their

current position. They want to help prepare their employees for an evolving job market.

On the other hand, Taco Bell has the Live Más Scholarship that supports employee’s goals to become innovators, creators and dreamers. The scholarship gave out nearly $7 million this past year to employees around the nation, according to the Live Más Scholarship information page.

They also have the Live Más Scholarships Renewal Program for previous recipients that have received the scholarship.

UPS also helps part-time and full-time employees to cover the cost of tuition.

UPS offers the UPS Earn and Learn Program, a tuition assistance for all employees the day they begin working where employees are able to earn up to $25,000 from UPS to help continue their education, according to the company website.

These commonly known companies have put their employee’s education in their best interest by helping to relieve their stress about debt.

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Advice from a current graduate school student Student provides insight into grad school life.

By Aric Pun Contributor

F

or 23-year-old Natalie Alvarez, the opportunity to enroll in grad school was can’t miss.

“I love school,” Alvarez said. “I know a lot of people can’t say that. But I honestly love going to school. I studied and got a psychology degree, but I just wanted to go into something else that was more hands-on, more diverse.”

Alvarez graduated from California Lutheran University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Then, she enrolled at California State University Long Beach where she joined the Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Although Alvarez is fairly new to her post-graduate studies, she said that she feels like she has a better grasp of what to expect during her time at CSULB.

Alvarez encourages students looking to apply for graduate school to stay on top of deadlines, especially for applications.

Within the CSU system, each school requires transcripts at varying times.

CSULB requires a few letters of recommendation, with one coming from a previous internship or previous job. The other recommendations can come from a college faculty member.

Prospective graduate students looking to get into Long Beach State are also given a set of questions to answer for review.

“They would ask questions like, ‘When were you faced with an ethical difficulty in a work setting and how did you resolve that issue?’ or ‘What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?’” Alvarez said.

On top of earning a master’s degree, Alvarez also said that going to graduate school opens the door for more opportunities because it provides students a chance to further their education with new, relevant material, while becoming a bigger expert in their field of study.

“Be ready to learn and try to not be stressed or feel discouraged,” Alvarez said.

“It gets hard sometimes, but for the people that do struggle and feel like they’re falling behind, they think it’s just them, but everyone is kind of lost.”

Photos courtesy of Natalie Alvarez

After graduating from California Lutheran University with a bachelor’s in psychology, Alvarez had her eyes set on CSULB’s Master of Social Work program.

Alvarez posing in front of a CSULB sign. Cal State Long Beach has one of the best social work programs in the entire state.

One struggle Alvarez has experienced during her time in graduate school is balancing school with personal life and work.

“Time management is a big one,” Alvarez said. “Selfcare is very important. I find that meditating or just pulling back sometimes -- I

love watching new shows, that’s something I do to destress, or I paint. It’s always good to have a few options.”

Although graduate school may seem intimidating, Alvarez believes that no one is alone on this journey at CSULB as there are many resources and support sys-

tems.

“If you’re writing a paper, they have the resources for other people to peer review your paper and help you out,” Alvarez said.

“Even though it’s a lot on your load, there’s always other people there to help you.”

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