Gallery • 6 Photos

Tatiana Zaragosa

Ca'ren Franklin engaging with a representative at the table for the University of San Francisco.

California Lutheran University’s Career Services hosted its annual Graduate School Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 1, for students and alumni interested in pursuing graduate programs. 

Cynthia Smith, assistant director of Career Services, said in an email interview that the fair showcases a wide range of programs offering master’s, doctorate, J.D. and M.D. degrees. Smith said representatives from Cal Lutheran’s graduate programs attended as well.

“It’s never too early or too late to start planning for grad school,” Smith said. “We always advise students and alumni to take the time to make sure they are choosing the right program and that they have a strong application before applying.”

Smith said the fair is important because it is one of few ways students and alumni can talk to multiple representatives at a time to gather information and ask questions about programs they are considering.

“[The Graduate School Fair] will help [students and alumni] establish a contact for the future and while they are applying,” Smith said. “We hope that they are able to gain the information that will help them learn more about the application process and stand out as an applicant.”

Jacqueline Nieba, graduate admissions and recruitment specialist at California State University, Channel Islands, said CSUCI offers a wide range of master’s degrees in public administration, business, psychology, and education, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership. Nieba said CSUCI’s programs stand out because faculty members can build relationships with students. 

“We have faculty on campus that’s willing to take time out of their day to come to these classes and really build those relationships with our students, helping them grow, whether they want to have a change in their career or probably pursue a higher education, whether it’s a master’s or a doctorate,” Nieba said. 

Juniors Sophia Moncayo and Gabriella Pedo said they both attended the fair to learn about different programs that offer master’s, PsyD or Ph.D degrees. 

“It’s a really good way to get to know other people from different schools and kind of get started on connections if we want to apply to different grad schools,” Pedo said. “Just being here to search around and see what we can find and what fits best to us.”

Moncayo said the fair helped her plan ahead as she plans to apply to graduate school next year.

“It’s important to me to kind of know my information, especially a year in advance, ’cause it’s gonna creep up on us,” Moncayo said. “It’s really important to me to look around and kind of get an idea of what I want to do now, even though it’s not happening for me now.”