Humans of Graduation 2014
“I don't really have any immediate plans. I have been interviewing for clerk jobs, and I'm hoping someone will hire me.” What kind of legacy do you want to build beyond being a student? “Well, I've been a student all my life, and it makes it difficult for me to see myself in other ways. I wouldn't say that I have found myself here, but I do know what I am not. I think just becoming someone that is not a student will finally allow me to see myself from another perspective.” Angela Parr, fourth-year history student
(Felicia Ramirez/Daily Bruin)
What are you most afraid of after graduation? "I suspect that the less (than) ideal economy will be difficult. It's crucial to get a job that accumulates those hours of experience. I think if I play my cards right, I can land a position. I'm 28 now and I kind of know exactly where I want go." Peter Holby, fourth-year psychology student
(Gaby Cabalza/Daily Bruin)
What’s an important lesson you’ll carry with you beyond UCLA? “As an artist, the idea that if you do work and you do honest work, (meaning) you work really hard at what you do and you’re good at what you do, there’s going to be people who support you. Which was kind of frightening for me at first too, wanting to pursue art because there’s always that trope of, ‘If you’re an artist, you’re going to starve to death.’ But nowadays, it’s different and art has permeated society in all kinds of ways so there is going to be, and there is, an artistic middle class. I think to participate in that is pretty exciting.” David Hirotsu, fourth-year Design | Media Arts student
(Austin Yu/Daily Bruin)
“I am going home to Minnesota. I am starting an internship with the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and hopefully I will get a job there and maybe (attend) grad school. I came in pre-med and decided not to be pre-med but public health after getting involved at school. I am more into environmental health. I joined E3 (Ecology, Economy, Equity). I joined as a freshman and eventually moved up to be the president senior year. It has completely changed my life and college career because I decided to be more environmentally focused. I can't imagine doing anything aside from environmental work. We have created some lasting changes here at UCLA such as the farmers market, Earth Day fairs, Ecochella and we are working on making UCLA a fair-trade university. I would tell freshmen to join a club, as it can completely change your life.” Emily Anderson, fourth-year biology student
(Miriam Bribiesca/Daily Bruin)
“I am taking an extra quarter but I am doing an internship this summer with Northrop Grumman. I will be working on autonomous aerial combat, so (basically) drones. I wanted to do more integrated circuits but I also like the aerial programing.” How have you changed over the past four years at UCLA? “I probably have become more confident. I was nerdy in high school but I am still, just a little less.” What’s your biggest aspiration? “For an aspiration I just want to do something I truly enjoy. For me as a freshman, I didn't realize that there is more to college than studying. I was really stressed about class all the time but for me what worked out best was taking fewer classes. As an engineer it makes more sense to take three classes a quarter and take extra time to graduate. This way you have more of a social life and your grades do better. So don't forget to have fun once in a while, but of course don't forget to study too.” Patrick Baker, fourth-year electrical engineering student
(Miriam Bribiesca/Daily Bruin)
How has your time at UCLA brought you to where you're at now? "There (are) a lot of different organizations and spaces to explore. Especially places that I identify with, such as (the) Asian Pacific Coalition or (Southeast Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention). I feel drawn to cultural organizations that deal with issues that students of color face. They have made me more interested in trying to improve and advocate for the community. And trying to break that Asian model minority myth that says things like ‘All Asians go to college’ or ‘All Asians are financially well off.’" Linda Dao, fourth-year psychology student
(Gaby Cabalza/Daily Bruin)
“Today I signed with a theatrical agent so I have representation here in Los Angeles and also New York. I will also be a part of ‘Hair’ at the Hollywood Bowl in August.” What kind of legacy do you want to build after you graduate? “I want to give people hope. When someone leaves the theater and they have seen the play, I want them to leave with a better understanding of themselves. ‘The Color Purple’ was inspiring to me, (and) the first time I saw ‘The Lion King’ made me certain that I was picking this for my career.” Kimberly Moore, fourth-year theater student
(Felicia Ramirez/Daily Bruin)
What are you most afraid of after graduation? "I guess I'm afraid of not having a full-time or stable job. Having to move back home is also something I'm scared of. The struggle is real." What's your biggest aspiration? "I would (say) that it's giving back to the community, making sure that it's a full circle because I've been given so much from my family and my community. I want to help underrepresented minority groups. That's probably my biggest aspiration, even if it's difficult to simultaneously make money and give back." Diana Aguilar, fourth-year psychology student
(Gaby Cabalza/Daily Bruin)
"Figure out how long I'll be a slave to my loans and plan out my travels for the next few years. My escape route. I'm thinking Southeast Asia, Spain, Thailand.” What's your biggest aspiration? "I want to spread happiness to other people – not only momentary happiness, but happiness that will last. I want to help people realize that material possessions and money are definitely not the source of true happiness." Jason Lam, fourth-year English student
(Gaby Cabalza/Daily Bruin)
"I'm coming back for summer school. I'm gonna study Spanish and photography. I want to work with the Career Center here as well so I can find a job. Ideally, I want to work in a language-related area since I'm an applied linguistics major." How has UCLA made you the person you are today? "Being at UCLA has made me more understanding and considerate. The (students) now are so much different than they used to be; they seem to be more relaxed than they were a few years ago. The environment has relaxed too, like there's a lot less pressure. Before, (students) were more pretentious and you could really feel the class divides. Learning to deal with those campus characteristics has led me to be more open and understanding." Diana Andrade, fourth-year applied linguistics student
