September 8, 2015
Incoming freshmen and transfer students were advised to embrace their new surroundings, get involved in student media right away and seek out supportive faculty to ensure their success in the CSUN Journalism program.
The advice came from four program veterans at the third annual New Student Welcome Event. The session, hosted by members of CSUN’s journalism department, featured two senior journalism students and two recent graduates.
“Attending CSUN is life-changing. It might sound dramatic, but it’s true. Embrace it. Take it all in, because it will change you to become a better person and make you successful,” said senior Kenneth Berry. “Get out of your comfort zone. If you are afraid to talk to people, you are in the wrong business.”
Berry, engagement editor of The Sundial student newspaper, is passionate about CSUN and the journalism program, he said.
“Whatever it is, connections, you will find it here. This is the ground floor,” Berry said.
Graduating senior Sarah Shabbar works on campus as a public relations assistant for the University Student Union. She applauded the faculty as she shared her personal tips to academic success.
“CSUN has a good supportive faculty and everyone has that drive,” Shabbar said. “I know I annoyed a lot of my professors, but use them. Ask questions. They want you to succeed.”
Lauren Llanos, CSUN alumna, who is now working at a TV station in Bakersfield, agreed.
“Utilize your professors and get to know them. They can help you reach your goals,” Llanos said.
The fourth panelist, Jessica Castellanos, was a student assistant in the journalism office before she graduated in May. She works for Vision Star, a public relations/marketing company in Los Angeles.
“Everything I learned here, I use every day at work. I really feel time here was time well spent,” she said.
Nearly 50 newly admitted journalism students took a break from summer to meet some of their new classmates and professors and to learn about their new department.
“I am excited, ecstatic actually, to be here,” said Audrey Pittman, who transferred from West Los Angeles College.
Like many others, she chose CSUN for its highly recognized journalism program.
“CSUN is the best CSU for my major. I love the campus, and I am just so glad to be here,” she said.
Nervous, yet excited, chatter filled a large lecture hall in Manzanita Hall on Aug. 12 as Journalism Department Chair Linda Bowen and Professor Stephanie Bluestein welcomed the first-time freshmen and those who transferred from community colleges throughout the state.
Regardless of their academic backgrounds, everyone at the event shared a passion for journalism, as students eagerly took notes during Bowen’s multi-media tour of the department website.
Bowen said the journalism department started the orientation for several beneficial reasons.
“This is a way for them to get familiar with the program and department in general. It makes it smoother for them,” Bowen said. “They can also see that we are interested, that we care. We want them to succeed. The benefits the students can take from this event are not just knowledge, but also positive feelings about the program.”
After the orientation ended, the students’ excitement didn’t diminish.
“I loved the event!” said Lars Tangen, a Norwegian student transferring from CSU San Marcos. “I got a lot of important information and I got to meet so many professors. Now, I am even more excited to start. It just seems like CSUN is more of a community than the school I am transferring from.”
Jannette Alvarado, a transfer student from Los Angeles Mission College, shared Tangen’s view of the community vibe.
“People seem helpful, excited and have a drive for academic success. I liked the guest speakers,” Alvarado said. “To hear from not just professors but from people who were in our spot, it took away some nerves.”
As the students met some of their new professors, Bluestein noted:
“This event will decrease the time for them to feel comfortable, so that they want to be involved. Now, they understand that there is more to this major than simply showing up to classes. It takes more to be successful,” said Bluestein.
By Trine Bay Larsen
Mass Communication Graduate Student