Houstonian 2020

2020

HOUSTONIAN A MAGAZINE FOR THE GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUST0N

TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 12 14

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Timeline: Fall 2019-Fall 2020

COVID-19: From then to now Former SPB president looks back on his time at UH

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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The year in sports Tips for grad school applications Advice for promoting yourself in the real world

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LETTER

FROM THE

EDITOR

DEAR GRADUATES, A

s a fellow graduate of 2020 may I just say, props to us. Words cannot describe, although it’s my job to try to, how proud I am of our class and this University. Even though there’s still more work to be done, take a second to recognize that you’ve accomplished an incredible, wonderful thing: graduating from the University of Houston.

Creating this publication has felt like a full-circle moment in my time at UH. I grew up in a small southeast Texas town, and when I found out I’d be attending UH for my undergraduate degree I was thrilled, to say the least. The week before classes started I spent hours trying to find the right organization to join, map out where my classes were and anything else I could do to be prepared for my first day of college. However, my pro-active efforts didn’t stop me from getting ridiculously lost on campus the first day and having to ask a friendly stranger where the Science & Engineering Classroom building was.

I used to be completely clueless about UH, but now I’m a graduate student here and I can barely fit my love for this University in this letter. But I suppose that’s life right? You feel entirely lost and confused one moment, then you blink and it’s four years later and you’ve got it all figured out (well...as figured out as a graduate student can have it).

Houstonian is more than a commemorative yearbook magazine. At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, it’s a time capsule back to our time at UH (and this insane year). As all of us start our post-graduation paths, we’re going to start getting a lot more of those blink-and-its-four-years-later moments. With that being said, I hope that Houstonian serves as a way to be proud of what you've done, and look forward to what you're going to do. Congratulations again fellow 2020 graduates, now let's get to work.

Sincerely, Autumn Rendall, Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief Autumn Rendall

HOUSTONIAN STAFF Chief Graphic Designers Jiselle Santos Juana Garcia

Timeline Jhair Romero Katrina Martinez Front and Back Covers Autumn Rendall Jiselle Santos

Staff Writers Jhair Romero Sofia Gonzalez Trey Gifford Editorial Curator Katrina Martinez HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

3

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HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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2019-2020: A LOOK BACK

Photo by Derek Dziedzic/Coog TV

Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar Mariachi Pumas: UH announces plans to form the Mariachi Pumas, a traditional Mexican music ensemble. The Pumas, who reside in the Moores School of Music, eventually perform across campus several times, even at basketball games.

OCT 24

OCT 10

Tropical Storm Imelda: The worst weather event since Hurricane Harvey just two years prior, Tropical Storm Imelda’s floodwaters leaves much of the city shut down.

Even UH feels the effects, canceling classes and closing campus until the storm passes.

SEP 17-19

SEP 13

Democratic debate: Houston becomes a political battleground as the third Democratic presidential debate comes to town. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a UH alumna and then one of the leading candidates, held a town hall at the University before the debate in July, what she described as “a homecoming for me.”

Early voting: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo casts her ballot in Student Center South at one of the early voting locations for the 2019 elections.

SEP 7

Record-breaking donation: UH receives a $50-million gift — its largest ever — from an anonymous donor.

NOV 11

Medical school recognized by Governor Abbott: Gov. Greg Abbott signs a ceremonial bill recognizing the new $80-million College of Medicine. The medical school is focused on “preventing and improving poor health — not simply treating it.”

AUG 22

New beginnings: The “largest and strongest” freshman class in University history, according to Provost Paula Myrick Short, begins its college journey.

AUG 21

AUG 19

A look back at the moments that changed us, challenged us and defined us from Fall 2019 to Fall 2020

First home win: Football’s Dana Holgorsen wins his first home game as the Cougars’ head coach, a 37-17 win over Prairie View A&M at TDECU Stadium.

Delivery robots: UH joins four other college campuses in welcoming the highly-anticipated food delivery robots. The UH community and the fleet of dozens of robots, equipped with cameras and ultrasonic sensors to navigate their way around campus, have since learned to coexist.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

JAN 22

JAN 21

Photo by Kathryn Lenihan

Sales Academy: The Sales Academy certification course offered through the C.T. Bauer College of Business launched on Jan. 21 with its first 30 students in the eight-week program. This program was started to address the growing demand for workers in the technology industry in Houston. It offers deferred payments through TDECU for $5,000 tuition, where payments start after the student secures employment that pays more than $50,000.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

Waka Flocka Flame: Rapper Waka Flocka Flame headlines the Homecoming concert at Lynn Eusan Park for hundreds of cold students. By the end of it, the “No Hands” artist has his audience jamming in a muddy mosh pit.

Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

Courtesy of UH

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NOV 18

Sweet Sixteen: Coming off a season that saw the UH men’s basketball team make it to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over three decades, the basketball team opens 2019-20 with an 84-56 blowout win over Alabama State at Fertitta Center.

College of Medicine gift: The new College of Medicine received a $5 million gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas on Jan. 22. The gift will create a $1.5 million pipeline program, which aims to attract students of diverse backgrounds to practicing primary care medicine and will supply $3.5 million in scholarships.

FEB 8

NOV 12

TIMELINE

XFL comes to UH: The Houston Roughnecks opened the inaugural XFL season on Feb. 8 with a dominating 37-17 win over the Los Angeles Wildcats. The Roughnecks were a part of the XFL, a new professional football franchise that was set to play from February to the end of April and would then host its championship game at TDECU stadium. The Roughnecks enjoyed an undefeated 5-0 season before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which eventually brought about the end of the XFL altogether after just a few short months.

Swim wins AAC Championships: For the fourth straight year the Cougar swim team claimed the American Athletic Conference title on Feb. 22 after posting 952.50 points, the second-highest score in conference history. The girls swept all the relay and diving events and claimed 17 individual titles.

In addition to the title, seniors Peyton Kondis and Zarena Brown were named 2020 AAC Co-Most Outstanding Swimmers. Senior Lauren Burrell was crowned the 2020 AAC Most Outstanding Diver. While head couch Ryan Wochomurka was named the 2020 AAC Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year and diving coach Bob Gunter was names 2020 AAC Women’s Diving Coach of the Year.

Photo by Lino Sandil/The Cougar

FEB 23

FEB 22

TIMELINE Bernie Sanders rally on campus: The University hosted U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Feb. 23, just days before Super Tuesday. Over 6,500 people attended Sanders’ rally, which was aimed at drumming up support for Sanders in the Texas primary.

Photo by Donna Keeya/The Cougar

RESILIENCE re·sil·ience - The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness. You have all proved in 2020 that you embody the very definition of this word.

We are proud of what you have conquered and accomplished!

We hope you remain inspired, focused and resilient.

Congratulations class of 2020 from the CLASS Dean, Associate Deans, faculty, advisors, & staff!

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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SGA elections: The Students Unite party, led by presidential candidate Jasmine Khademakbari, swept the Feb. 27 Student Government Association election. Khademakbari and her running mate, Hiba Rashid, earned 60 percent of the votes, #ForTheStudents candidate Isaiah Martin brought in 33 percent, while Abraham Arackathazhath of the YouH party earned 7 percent of the vote.

Khademakbari and Rashid became the second in a row female-female winner following 2019-20 President Allison Lawrence and vice president Maysarah Kazia, who were the first since 1975.

Photo by Carolina Yanez/The Cougar

UH breaks ground on College of Medicine construction: UH broke ground on the construction of the College of Medicine with its inaugural class scheduled to start on July 20. Classes will be hosted in the new $80-million building once construction, which is expected to finish in 2022, is complete. The College of Medicine’s full enrollment capacity will be 480 but will begin with a 30-person class. Each member of this inaugural class received a $100,000 scholarship to go towards their tuition and fees.

AUG 24

Photo by Sydney Rose/The Cougar

JUNE 15

MARCH 19

MBK wins AAC Championship: The Cougars ended the 2020 season with a three-way share of the American Athletic Conference regular-season championship. UH share the 2020 title with the Golden Hurricane and the Cincinnati Bearcats after all three teams ended the season with a 13-5 conference record. The 201920 season marks the first time since 1984 that the Cougars won back-to-back conference titles.

Photo by Mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar

Photo by Kathryn Lenihan/The Cougar

Coronavirus closes campus: After spring break was lengthened to two weeks, the University announced that all classes would resume remotely starting March 23 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that shut down much of the nation in mid-March. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Spring 2020 Frontier Fiesta was canceled, the American Athletic Conference tournament was canceled, as was March Madness and all spring sports. Campus quickly began closing as many students began moving out of their dorms early and public spaces were closed to prevent the spread of the virus.

MARCH 8

FEB 27

TIMELINE

First day of classes of an unprecedented semester: The Fall 2020 semester began with social distancing guidelines across campus and requirements for wearing a mask or face covering. Many University events, buildings and resources experienced changes in the way they conduct business in order to meet COVID-19 safety protocol. In other on-campus changes, “The Quad” residence halls officially opened their doors while the Moody Towers Dining Hall closed theirs.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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Photo by Donna Keeya/The Cougar

“Color Field” comes to campus: Presented by Public Art of the University of Houston System, “Color Field” is a collection of large, bright and colorful sculptures and is the first curated exhibition of outdoor sculpture at UH.

NOV 14

$1.2 billion “Here, We Go” campaign ends: After raising a total of $1.2 billion during eight years of fundraising, the University concluded its “Here, We Go” campaign which UH System Chancellor Renu Khator announced in her annual Fall Address. The campaign aimed to create student scholarships, make state-of-the-art facilities, fund research and more.

2020 Homecoming game: At the Homecoming game, The Cougars had a 56-21 victory over the USF Bulls. During halftime, NK Nebeolisa was crowned Homecoming Queen and Andy Salinas was crowned Homecoming King.

DEC 17

Courtesy of the Homecoming Board

OCT 29

OCT 13

The Cougars win their season opener against Tulane University: After a month of cancellations and postponements, the UH football team was finally able to open their 2020 season. The Cougars outscored Tulane to win their 2020 season opener 49-31 over the Green Wave at TDECU Stadium.

Courtesy of UH Athletics

File photo from The Cougar Early voting at UH: Located at the Student Center South, early voting on campus ran for three weeks. On Election Day, the University held voting at TDECU stadium.

OCT 8

Student athletes march for equality and unity: In light of a movement against racial injustice across the country, the University’s studentathletes made a statement of unity as all the different athletic programs came together to march across campus with a message of justice and equality for everyone.

OCT 1

Hurricane Laura strikes Gulf Coast: Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 system that was one of the strongest hurricanes to ever strike the U.S., barreled through Louisiana, and brought a devastating path of damage with it.

SEP 5

AUG 27

TIMELINE

2020 commencement is finally here: After months of postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the University will confer degrees in a virtual University-wide commencement for Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 graduates.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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COVID-19 : How it changed us from then, to now The coronavirus pandemic has flipped our lives upside down this year, to say the least, but how have things changed for UH students since Spring 2020? On the following page, we’ve compared two of Houstonian writer Sofia Gonzalez’s articles (one from April and one from November) to see the effects on UH students throughout this year.

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HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

Graphic by Jiselle Santos

April: College students often already feel stressed or overwhelmed with all they have to juggle daily—toss in a pandemic, and then you have a perfect storm.

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic left everyone with a whirlwind of emotions. As people learn to cope with their fears in a time of uncertainty, college students are having to learn to manage the struggle.

Students at the University of Houston have been asked to move out of their dorms as universities move to online schooling. However, those who needed to stay on campus were allowed to remain there.

November: The first COVID-19 case in the world was reported over a year ago, but college students continue to endure many changes and adjustments in this ongoing pandemic —our new reality.

Students at the University of Houston are still facing challenges in their everyday lives as they learn to cope with a “new normal”. For most students, classes continued online for the Fall 2020 semester, causing them to come to terms with learning new material via a computer screen.

“For me, moving out was something that was expected,” said Jonathan Shyy, integrated communication junior. “I know it was for the better and to help the community contain the virus.”

Although online schooling took a toll on everyone, it was especially felt by seniors who were projected to graduate Spring 2020. Many seniors are upset that they no longer got to finish out their college year inperson, and they are worried that they may not get the traditional graduation they feel they deserve.

“Seniors graduating this year definitely lost a lot to the virus,” said Audrey Fogle, management information systems senior. “Commencement is more than just walking across a stage. It’s about finally being recognized for all of your achievements and hard work over the past several years.”

Some UH students are suffering from financial problems as COVID-19 has stripped them of their jobs. There are many college students that don’t qualify for the stimulus check being issued by the government due to still being claimed as a dependent, thus affecting them even more.

“It’s a huge financial set back,” said Ivan Duran Puente, a journalism junior.

College students are being asked to balance so much more than just a class schedule these days. Not only are they having to face the uncertainty that the Spring 2020 semester brought, they also are learning to live with the reality of a pandemic.

“I’ve accepted it as it is,” said Fogle. “Never in a million years did I think all of this would happen.”

“I love the human experience. There is so much to gain from person-to-person interaction,” said Keffus Falls III , public relations senior. “With keeping the switch to online classes, I feel that, as a student body, we’ve lost the sense of community this semester.”

Despite the switch to almost all classes being online, UH allowed students to live on-campus this semester paired with new guidelines for social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols. For some, this was a major change since students were asked to go home, if possible, during the Spring 2020 semester.

“It was confusing on how things were going to work when we first were asked to go home and switch to the online format,” said Makayla Wallar, psychology

junior. “I got back into a new normal being home, so it was weird coming back and having to find another new routine.”

Some students are also still facing the same financial issues they have had since March.

“I unfortunately never received a stimulus check since my mom still claims me as a dependent,” said Ivan Duran Puente, journalism senior.

Beyond financial setbacks, students once again will not be able to walk across the stage in-person for their graduation in December. However, a University-wide virtual commencement has been set for December 17.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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Former Student Program Board President Edw

By Katrina Martinez

months alone, I look so different, t the end of each semester, in a non-pandemic but looks are only world, graduating seniors walk the stage a small chunk of during commencement, the culmination of how much I truly years of hard work. While not everyone’s path to have changed. graduation is the same, it’s still just a big and important When I came into accomplishment for those who make it to the finish college, I thought line.

I was so aware Edward Gonzales, the 2019-2020 Student Program of the world and Board president and May 2020 alumnus with a B.A. the people in it, in political science, took some time to reflect on the for I came from last few years, where he’s been and where he hopes to a diverse high go. Gonzales, as a former member of the Alpha Sigma school, and grew Phi fraternity, Undergraduate-At-Large senator and up in Houston, so member of several committees, among many other I thought I knew organizations, has always been highly involved on it all and could campus. learn no more His time at UH has not only changed him but, about people and according to Gonzales, has also made him a better that definitely person who is more in tune with the people around was not the case. him.

The University Q: How have you changed over the 2019-2020 SPB President Edward Gonzalez has always been highly involved on campus. | of Houston Courtesy of the Homecoming Board opened my eyes last four years? to different A: I cannot think of one thing about myself that has in the four years you have been cultures, some that I did not even know existed if I am not changed, it is quite remarkable. I recently stumbled being honest, helped me understand the importance enrolled? upon a picture from August 2019, a headshot I had of representation on a larger-scale, taught me the taken of me, and then I did a newly updated headshot A: The University of Houston has changed so much importance of standing up for committees that I am not around early January of 2020 and just within those since I moved in in August 2016, it is something I think a part of and so much more. These past four years have about a lot honestly. The first thing that comes to mind truly made me a better person is the dining halls as a whole have changed for the in ways I could not have better, and I truly believe everyone would agree with me imagined, from the people I on that. I see so many horror stories on social media of met, the stories everyone has students at different universities talking about the food, been so courageous to share, and I am thankful that the food here is something the and especially the stories I students enjoy, all thanks to the wonderful staff. Besides have felt comfortable enough the dining halls changing, I would say the other major to share as well. Growing, change has been the transparency of the University healing, learning and simply administrators and how they truly listen to student living. concerns when they are brought up. I remember Q: What were your freshman year there being a lot of concerns amongst the students and within the years to come, change was biggest struggles implemented, from zone parking to food variety for as a student and a dietary restricted/specific individuals, more security, campus leader? lessening the wait time for CAPS, literally anything you can think of, the University has always been there for A: I love to work and have the students. Those are just one of the few reasons why always loved to stay busy – it I love the University of Houston so much! is truly a blessing and a curse.

With this, the biggest struggle Q: What do you wish you could have for me was learning to leave done differently in college? my office at a decent time A: There is nothing I would do differently and I think so that I could be a “normal that is how it should be for seniors, because it is so senior” and have fun and easy to think about all the “what if’s” in life, especially simply relax. I think many in college which can often lead you down a very dark students naturally struggle and negative mindset/thinking process. I am proud with that, and so being a of everything I did, and if things during my college student leader, I definitely journey seemed rough or it seemed like they were struggled with this a lot but not “working out”, in the end, it always did work out Remember, your relationship with the Honors community I was starting to get the hang because I look at myself, as a senior, and I am proud of it at the beginning of the does not end with graduation. We are proud to welcome of everything I accomplished, and with that I would spring semester. you as our newest alumni! Log on; link in; drop by. change nothing.

A

N S O I T A U L CONGRAT !

E S T A D U A R G R U O TO

TheHonorsCollege.com/alumni

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HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

Q: How has the University changed

Q: What was it like being the Student Program Board president?

ward Gonzales reflects on his college career A: Being the President of the Student Program Board

was such an amazing experience. To be able to run an organization that puts on events for the student body to enjoy, to de-stress and simply be kids again is something I am so proud to have been a part of. From having an amazing team that worked so hard, to having amazing higher administration workers who supported me all the time, to being stressed out, I enjoyed it all. It was hard work, but work that I signed up for and again, I could not be more proud of my time as President.

Being president was something that you think you know what it entails, yet once you get there it is really nothing like it was described as. I learned very fast that I had to trust my gut and be confident and I found my footing fast because you simply have to. The presidents’ in years past have been UH student leader legends (in my very strong opinion), and I was very nervous and eager to walk in their shoes, and they all gave me a lot of advice once I became president, and I used it and put my own twist on it as well. I am happy to say that I will miss being president, but I know that someone is bound to follow in my footsteps and do great things as well.

Q: What are you going to do after graduation?

A: I am very lucky and happy to say that I have a job

already that starts in August, but with everything that is happening in the world right now I am curious to see if I will actually start in August or have to wait longer.

WE ARE...

No matter what, I have a desire to go to graduate school after a few years, obtaining my master’s in public administration, in hopes of one day working in the city, in any field of government work, nothing specific just yet! I have always loved school, so furthering my education is something I know I will do. Until then, I am just going to enjoy spending time with my family and reading and watching everything I have been holding off for so long.

Q: What do you think you’ll be doing in 5 years?

A: I want to do so much, and I can definitely see myself

doing many different things in my life, so in 5 years there’s a lot that can happen. I want to live in New York City for a year or so, come back to get my master’s, and then work in various cities in America helping stabilize their education systems, and providing assistance to those in need. I can also definitely see myself hopping on a campaign and traveling across the United States in order to help elect political candidates for various positions as well. In all, I see myself living in different states, but always being tied to politics and social justice in some way.

Q: How will you remember UH as you continue on into the rest of your life?

A: I will remember UH as being the second home. It is

into another chapter of my life. My time spent at UH has been nothing but amazing, even on my hardest days, they have been so great! I will remember UH as being the place where I learned that I love politics, that I am not “lucky” in life for all the opportunities that I have got, but because I have worked hard. UH is going to be remembered every time I talk to my friends that I made while attending UH. UH will always have a place in my heart, and I am so sad to leave but happy to have ever attended such an amazing school.

Q: Do you have any other comments, reflections or advice you would like to share with the rest of the 2020 graduating class?

A: When we were freshmen, we thought graduating

college was never going to happen because of how far away it seemed, but we have made it! Do not lose that hope and spark that we once had, for we still have it.

I believe in the graduating class of 2020, for we have been through so much; that time school closed because of the snow, the water breakage, hurricanes, losing that one football coach, but in the end, we made it through so again, we will make it through! I think the world decided to get all crazy because they knew the class of 2020 has been working so hard that it is giving us a little break before we take it over!

quite remarkable that I am a senior already and stepping

Dynamic.

Future Driven.

Inventive.

Innovative.

Forward Thinking.

Always Advancing.

In Constant Motion.

Creative Thinkers.

Problem Solvers.

Undeniably Exceptional.

INGENUITY APPLIED.

Congratulations Graduates!

As alumni of the College of Technology, you are ready to begin careers in the most challenging and critical industries in our society.

We look forward to seeing you return to advance your studies in one of our graduate programs!

LEARN MORE uh.edu/technology CONNECT WITH US

The University of Houston is an EEO/AA institution.

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

15

THE YEAR IN SPORTS: A 2019-20 sports recap

By Jhair Romero

titles.

ou can’t look back at any year at the University of Houston without thinking about how its athletic programs performed. Although many of the programs were thrown into uncertainty because of the coronavirus pandemic, a lot happened in 2019-20.

Here’s a look back at the 2019-20 UH athletics season:

Although Houston’s volleyball team ended with a 16-17 overall losing record, the Cougars performed well in AAC competition. UH ended the season, David Rehr’s first as head coach, with a 10-6 record in The American.

The Cougars capped off the season with an appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship, its first postseason appearance past the conference tournament since 2000.

Y

Men’s basketball

The UH men’s basketball team had an extremely successful season. Newcomer Quentin Grimes and freshman Caleb Mills led Houston to a 23-8 record, including 14-5 at home in Fertitta Center.

The Cougars’ won the American Athletic Conference regular season title for the second season in a row, but the AAC championship tournament was canceled before they could compete in it. UH was also projected to get a good seeding in the NCAA Tournament, but the

Volleyball

Football

It was a rough year for the UH football team. The Cougars, with first-year head coach Dana Holgorsen at the reigns, finished the year at 4-8 and without a bowl appearance.

Houston won only two conference games in 2019 and found a win only once at home in TDECU Stadium.

Softball

UH softball was among the teams whose seasons were cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the cancellations, the Cougars were boasting a 16-7 record, including a big win over No. 20 Texas Tech in the Houston Challenge at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Baseball

The UH baseball team was also among teams whose seasons were cut short. Houston was 6-9 before the season was canceled.

Golf

Photo by Trevor Nolley/The Cougar

Women’s basketball

UH women’s basketball finished its year with a 12-19 record, including 5-11 in The American.

The Cougars’ efforts qualified them for a spot in the AAC Tournament, but they were dispatched by the Wichita State Shockers in a 72-64 loss.

Soccer

UH ended with a 6-14 overall record, including 3-6 in The American, but the Cougars still qualified for a spot in the AAC Tournament.

Although the end result, a 5-0 loss to UCF, was disappointing, it was Houston’s first ever appearance in the AAC Tournament.

The UH women’s golf team, which won the AAC Championship in 2018-19, didn’t have much to show for the 2019-20 season. The Photo by Mikol Kindle Jr./The Cougar same goes for the Houston men.

The women’s team’s best finish came at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, competition was also canceled.

Tennessee, where it came in first place. The Swim and Dive men’s team’s best result of the season came Houston had yet another historic season in 2019-20. at the White Sands Invitational in the The Cougars swept their regular season to a perfect 7-0 Bahamas, where UH finished in first. record.

Much of both team’s seasons were When it came to the postseason, UH dominated canceled. in the AAC Championships on its way to its fourthTennis straight conference title. Houston captured 17 UH tennis finished the season individual titles and second-most points in AAC with a 9-6 overall record after much of Championship history. its season was nixed because of the virus.

Track and Field

As one of the most consistent programs at UH, the track and field team did not disappoint. Both the men’s and women’s teams both had solid indoor seasons, performing well at events at LSU and Clemson, among others.

The season’s highlight came at the AAC Indoor Championships in late February, where the men and women sweeped the event and both won conference

Cross Country

As a fall sport, UH cross country was able to complete its season in 2019. The men’s and women’s programs best result of the season came at the Lake Charles Toyota Stampede, where both teams came in first.

Photo by Lino Sandhil/The Cougar Photo by Katrina Martinez HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

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CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES!

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SENIORS IN FIVE YEARS

By Sofia Gonzalez

G

raduating from college means finishing another chapter in the book called life. For some, this may seem scary, but for others, it means the start of the rest of their lives.

This is the final step before seniors go off into the real world. While not everyone knows what they want to do with their life right off the bat, some seniors have a post-graduation plan they dream of accomplishing.

Here’s where a few UH seniors see themselves five years from now:

“It’s hard to say in the world’s current circumstances,” said Kiran Sankar, advertising senior. “I had a lot of opportunities lined up, but COVID-19 knocked them down like dominoes. I would have been interning at Energy BBDO in Chicago. I would have transitioned into working after networking and showing them what I can do. Now, in five years, I plan to be well into the industry (advertising), whether that be agency or client side. I also hope that I will have developed a skill on the side that could be used for freelance.”

“In five years, I see myself as a top-producing realtor in Houston,” said economics senior Jennifer Media. “I love to help people, and it’s a true joy of mine to help people find their place in the world—from college students looking for apartments, to families finding the home they’re going to raise their children in. I hope to serve the Houston community further through various charities and through my realestate services.”

“In five years, I see myself living in Palo Alto, California with my boyfriend and our dog Astro,” said Sang Le, advertising senior. “I will be working at a marketing agency and not be stuck at home worrying about the economy.”

HOUSTONIAN // December 2020

19

Tips from a UH graduate student on

Graphic by Juana Garcia

By Trey Gifford

N

othing prepares you for the stress of being in grad school like the pressure of applying for grad school. Anyone can read an application packet about dates and times, but here are some true insider tips from those that have recently been there and done that.

Insider Tip#1: Know what you want

This is a step easier said than done, and it is the most critical advice on this list. If you do not think carefully, it’s something that may haunt you. Are you going to grad school just because? Do you not know what else to do with your degree? Do you just not feel like you are ready for the professional world? If any of those answers are yes, you should carefully reconsider if graduate school is for you.

Grad school is tough; it will drain you financially, mentally, and emotionally. A 2014 report from the

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National Science Foundation found that almost 40% of doctoral students surveyed did not have a job placement by graduation. A national Harvard survey of 500 Ph.D. candidates revealed moderate or severe symptoms of depression and anxiety that was three times the national average. The National Center for Education Statistics found that the average student loan debt was $71,000 in 2015-2016 from grad school alone.

This isn’t to say that grad school won’t be rewarding. The hardships endured there make achieving your goals all the more satisfying, and the career opportunities are some of the most challenging, exciting and lucrative in the world.

But having a tangible goal in mind (even if this goal eventually changes) is critical in deciding to go back to school.

Insider Tip#2: Think about waiting

There’s a common mantra that once you go to work, you will never go back to school and get your graduate degree. Many graduate students have worked in a myriad of careers, though, before continuing their education. The tenacity and professionalism that goes into working are the same skills needed in graduate school. Working professionally -- only if it was just for a year -- before grad school was the smartest decision I made before going back to school.

Taking a break isn’t for everyone, though. Working before going back delays finally finishing. If you’re waiting for big personal decisions (starting a family, beginning a career, buying a home, etc.), you may have to wait that much longer. If you pursue these decisions before or during grad school, it may add additional emotional and financial stresses to you and

acing your grad school applications your loved ones.

At the end, like most of this process, this is a personal decision. Tasting the real world outside of academia before going back to school might be right for you. But if you feel you are confident in your dreams and your maturity, getting it out of the way may be your best option.

Insider Tip #3: Take your entrance exams ... and then take them again

Entrance exams are expensive. They’re investments of time and money, and they’re not fun by any stretch of the imagination. If you’re not happy with your score – and even if you are – take the test again. Nothing can quite replicate the atmosphere of that testing environment. Having a better feel of the test will likely help you the second time.

There are programs to help support low-income students fund these exams as well; you should reach out to your counselor or look online for these opportunities. Many schools only look at your top score too, so taking the same test multiple times won’t hurt those applications.

Insider Tip#4: Ask for help early and often People love to help when asked. You have to ask

for your letters of recommendations, but you should continue to ask for help as often as you can. It is a skill that will help you the rest of your life, and you won’t survive graduate school without it. Find people already in schools you like. Ask them questions, and really pay attention to their answers.

There’s an old joke that a grad student’s favorite activity is complaining about grad school. See what they like about their program and what they don’t.

Also, reach out to professionals in the field of your interest and see if it’s really for you. Different schools (and professional fields) have different cultures. Much like UH has a culture of its own, make sure that the culture of your perspective school and field is a right fit for you.

Follow up in an email thanking them for their time, attach a professional resume for their records, and practice promoting yourself. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s also a vital tool that will serve you the rest of your academic and professional career.

Insider Tip#5: Apply with confidence!

The application process is inherently intimate.

To share your aspirations, faults, and successes with a panel of faceless bureaucrats is a bizarre and intimidating experience. These applications will take weeks to prepare and submit, and it will really sting when you get that first rejection letter back.

The best advice for a process so personal is to be yourself, and to apply with confidence. An admissions officer at a prestigious policy school once told me (with a laugh) that bureaucrats are people too, and they’ll understand more than you think. You should remember this as you apply.

Applicants have nothing to be ashamed of, and you have nothing to apologize for. Think about your personal story and express it the best you can. Your missteps aren’t blemishes on your record, they’re part of what makes you, you. No applicant is perfect, and you should remember that. Talk about how these experiences shaped your goals and helped you become the applicant you are.

Closing thoughts:

First, congratulations. You’ve graduated college, and that’s a truly amazing achievement. Graduate school will be harder than undergrad. It’s more stressful, and it takes more work. But it is substantially more satisfying.

These tips are all subfactors in the ultimate question you’ll have to ask yourself when considering graduate school: When, where, and how can I be the most successful graduate student I can be. This is a question you should ask your family, your leaders, your friends, and (most importantly) yourself.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020!

U H A A I S H E R E FO R YO U !

Stay In Touch! @houstonalumni

@houstonalumni

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Advice for promoting yourself professionally in the real world

Photo by Donna Keeya/The Cougar & Graphics by Juana Garcia

he life of an adult after graduation is radically different than what your life might have been like in college. You’ve officially (albeit metaphorically) crossed the graduation stage, so here is some advice on self-promotion in the professional world to get yourself out there.

Promoting yourself is hard; it’s awkward and uncomfortable. Balancing the fine line between tacky self-obsession and meek apathy is intense. But it is a skill that’s vital for your post-graduate life, and one that takes practice and time to master.

careful, the things you post or send online can have serious consequences far in future. Regardless of how you feel about the Court of Public Opinion and due process in general, take a Saturday and clean up your social media. Google your name or search your accounts from an incognito browser and see what the public can see. Make sure your secret Twitter stan account is not connected to your phone’s contacts, and make it a daily habit to remember that whatever you send can be saved forever.

Polish your resume and related materials

Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn

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If you haven’t already, reach out to University Career Services to help put together your application packet. Many jobs look for a writing / research sample and a transcript to go along with your resume.

Also consider reaching out to beloved professors and preemptively asking for a letter of recommendation. It’ll be easier to follow up and remind them, instead of awkwardly asking for the first time—a year from now— over an email.

Take a look at your digital footprint You should also ensure that your digital footprint is one that promotes your best image. If you’re not

LinkedIn is a great way to keep track of professionals you connect with and admire, and it’s quickly becoming an industry standard in connections: which defines job searching and promotion. It is going to feel cheesy and lame at first, but so did your brand-new Instagram when your handle was a pun on your last name, you had 12 followers and only one picture. Give it time, occasionally update it and add professionals as you meet them.

footprint, and created your LinkedIn account, the last thing that remains is you. The most valuable (and hardest) step is creating a good professional image. You need to know that the things you say and do hold intense value for your future career.

An employer is going to invest thousands and thousands of dollars in you and the work you do. The reputation you reap is going to determine where you work, what you’re paid, and the opportunities you have. Be honest and genuine, do good work, and be on time. If you do these three things, you can be proud of the person you are in the workplace, and you should have no problem.

Tweets can be deleted, resumes perfected, and recommendation letters begged for, but no one can cheat this final step.

Use your resources

The University of Houston has a long tradition of crafting incredible leaders in every field. It has more than provided you with the tools to be successful regardless of where your career takes you. The knowledge and skills you’ve learned here, and the professional image you promote, can take you as far as your imagination can dream. Congratulations.

Examine yourself

Finally, after you’ve successfully (and truthfully) added to your resume, manicured your digital

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