Video by Avrah Baum and Rebecca Ezrin
On Dec. 12, students will dress in caps and gowns and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Fall commencement is soon approaching and students’ lives are about to change forever. As students prepare to embark on their journeys into the “real world,” we asked students about their plans.
Liberal studies senior Zoe Sharp
Liberal studies senior Zoe Sharp is one step closer to living her dream as an elementary school teacher.
“I’ve always really liked teaching,” Sharp said. “When I was a little kid, that was my dream. Even as I shifted between different career ideas, I always came back to teaching. It’s just something that makes me passionate.”
Sharp has been accepted to the Cal Poly Credential Program and will be getting her multiple subject credential for elementary education next December. After that, she will seek out elementary school teaching positions.
Along with basic classroom teaching, Sharp is passionate about math and science, and combined her interests by concentrating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.
“I’ve taken a lot of classes about learning to teach technology to kids. My whole senior project is STEM related, so I’m doing an astronomy workshop for professional development for teachers. I really want to move more toward the science and technology side of things,” Sharp said.
Sharp has had experience working in several different classrooms during her time at Cal Poly. She has also worked with the Learn by Doing lab at Cal Poly, where liberal studies students teach science to 5th through 8th grade students.
“I love kids. I love being there to help them. I like seeing the way students learn and foster knowledge. It’s just the perfect path for me,” Sharp said.
Animal science senior Adam Card
Animal science senior Adam Card has big plans, but before he gets a full-time job, he has other goals.
“Before I get serious, I would like to continue to have a little bit more fun and I would like to travel. I have a trip planned with my brothers to travel throughout the U.S.,” Card said. “After that, I would like to travel somewhere around the world, most likely Central or South America so that I can continue to learn Spanish.”
After Card finishes his travels, he has a clear vision of his plans.
“I want to become a veterinarian. I want to apply to grad schools and veterinary schools. I want to be a wildlife biologist and my last option would be to join the Peace Corps,” Card said.
Card has already had jobs in the veterinary field, such as being a veterinary technician and a boarding technician. On top of that, Cal Poly’s animal science program offers plenty of hands-on laboratory work.
Initially, when Card got into animal science, he wanted to make a lot of money and make his family proud.
“As I went further through Cal Poly, I realized that working with animals is actually a true passion that I have, and now it’s not just about the money,”Card said. “It’s not about job security or status. It’s really about doing what makes me happy and what makes me happy is working with animals.”
Card advises other students to do what makes them happy as well.
“If you’re looking for a career, it shouldn’t be about the money. It shouldn’t be about any pressures that you’re receiving from other people. It should be truly what you desire and what you think would be the best fit for your lifestyle,” Card said.
Biomedical engineering senior Jazmin Pono
Biomedical engineering senior Jazmin Pono is excited to finally graduate, after a six-month co-op program set her back a few months.
“After I graduate, I’m going to be starting work at Varian Medical Systems in Palo Alto. They develop cancer-fighting equipment that uses radio surgery to excise tumors,” Pono said. “I’ll be doing a validation engineering position, so basically making sure everything in their manufacturing line is up to par with standards.”
Pono is extremely prepared with her history of internships and positions that she has already had.
“I’ve had two internships. The six-month co-op at St. Jude Medical. They make pacemakers and ICD’s. I had another internship at Boston Scientific. It was a manufacturing internship,” Pono said.
Pono feels passionate about her career choice because she wants to make a difference.
“I chose biomedical engineering because I wanted to be an engineer that really contributes and save lives and that’s what I’m going to be doing and I’m really excited to start that,” Pono said.
Pono’s future plans don’t end there, however.
“In the future, I would think about getting an MBA to move up into manager position, but other than that, my goal is to impact as many lives as possible and travel once I’m retired,” Pono said.