Where Are They Now?

Spring is here! One glance outside makes it pretty clear that spring has arrived on the Pacific campus.  Flowers are popping out, trees are in full bloom, and students are hanging-out on the Quad.  It's a great day to be a Boxer!

Oftentimes, we get asked by prospective students (like you!) where our alumni go after graduation.  What kind of jobs do they get?  Do they go back to their hometowns?  Well, in answer to those questions, we've compiled a list of recent grads and where they are today!  This list is specific to graduates from our Business and Economics programs.  (You'll have to check back for other areas!)

• Matt Hendryx graduated from Pacific with a degree in Economics, and he is now the Concessions Manager at Ovations Food Services, LP, in the Portland area.

• Phil Bastian now lives in New York City, New York, and works in public policy.  He is currently working for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as an Economic & Statistical Consultant.  Previously, he worked for The Economist and UNESCO.

• After graduating from Pacific University, Taylor Kane worked for a marketing firm and Bee Control Northwest.  He is now a technical trainer at Trebol Soccer Club in Boulder, Colorado.

• Geoff Aoyagi took his Pacific education and springboarded to the East Coast.  Now located in the Greater New York City Area, Geoff works as the Director of Analytics at Fuse Networks, LLC.

• Since graduating from Pacific, Carrie McDermott has taken on a variety of roles.  From Global Language Adventures to Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, Carrie has taken the Pacific name to Anchorage, Alaska.  She now works as a Client Account Manager for SMB at Alaska Communications.

• Pamela Booth worked with our Student Life department while at Pacific University.  She resides in the Portland, Oregon area and works at Ecotrust as a WWRI Intern.

We are so proud of our graduates and the differences they are making in their communities around the world.  Stay tuned for more outcomes from all of our different majors.

Happy Spring!

Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your family all the wonderful things that make Thanksgiving such a special day!

When Should I Apply??

In the world of college applications and admissions deadlines, there are many terms that get tossed around; and sometimes, it can be plain confusing.  So, I’ve set out to clarify what each term means and how that applies to your application.

Early Action – this is a certain kind of early admission used by some colleges.  Essentially, the school requires that the student turn in his application by November 1^st (instead of the standard, January 1^st), and they commit to notifying students of their admission decision in mid-December (rather than mid-Spring).  For most schools, this is non-binding action – meaning that, even if you apply early, you are not bound to attend that school.  Some schools, however, have what is called, “Restrictive Early Action” wherein students are only allowed to apply to one restrictive early action institution.  This brings me to…

Early Decision – this is an admissions process that is, ultimately, a binding decision to enroll.  It means that, if a student is accepted under an early decision program, the applicant must withdraw all other applications and enroll at that institution.  See the difference?  Early action simply requires that you apply sooner and are able to know whether you’re admitted sooner.  Early decision has more finality. But then, there’s…

Rolling Admission – this is an admissions process that is increasingly more common among colleges and universities.  Essentially, the school will accept applications from fall through spring.  At Pacific University, we are on a rolling admissions basis.  Our application opens on August 15^th and we will *officially* accept applications until nearly July 15^th. ****  However, this whole “not applying until July” is not encouraged.  While we accept applications almost year-round, we still encourage students to apply before Winter Break.  The sooner students apply, the more scholarship opportunities are available to them.

For example, we have a scholarship competition in February called, Pacesetters. (I’ll tell you more about that later…) In order to be invited, the student must have been admitted before February 1^st.  In order to be admitted by February 1^st, the student needs to make sure that they have applied far in advance of that date!

Students who wait until the last minute to apply miss out on exciting scholarship opportunities.

If you're interested in getting the application process started with Pacific, visit the Common App website and get started on your application profile today!!

Back to School...

Can you smell that?  It smells like fall to me.

I don't know about you, but - as much as I love summer and all that it brings - I love fall.  I love back-to-school shopping, I love the trees turning colors, I LOVE molasses cookies, I love the perfect temperatures.... the list goes on and on.  But, perhaps the thing that I love most about fall is the feeling of new beginnings.

Throughout the calendar year, there are a few times when 'new beginnings' are celebrated.  Clearly, we ring in the New Year with hopes and dreams for a fresh start and resolutions to do better.  With spring, there is a sense of new beginnings as the plants come alive again.  Trees and flowers alike bud and bloom and the whole world feels new again.

Fall is rarely a time that people think about new beginnings.  But with a new school year, it really is.  New classes, new schedules, new friends... a whole world of possibilities.

This fall we are so excited to see a new class of students entering their college experience for the very first time.  What an honor it is to be the ones to introduce them!  So, to all students heading off to college for the very first time, enjoy this new beginning - we're so excited for you!

And for those of you who are beginning your last year of high school, it may not feel like a new beginning.  But it is.  You are beginning a year-long journey towards your college campus.  What a thrilling and exciting beginning that is!  And we are excited to be along for the ride to help you along the way!

Why I Chose Pacific - Guest Blogger: Katelyn

It's been pretty quiet around this blog lately.  And it's been pretty quiet on campus.  All of our students have left for summer break. So, we thought that it would be a great time to begin to introduce our NEWEST students, members of the Class of 2016.  So, today, we are proud to present Katelyn, from San Diego, California, on why she chose Pacific.

As I prepare to make the move from sunny San Diego to, well, not-so-sunny Forest Grove, I feel I should make this one thing clear: I understand that it rains a lot in Oregon. I am also completely and utterly looking forward to it.

This may sound more than a little weird for a true San Diegan to admit, for after taking one trip to the beach on almost any given day in San Diego it becomes almost unfathomable as to why anyone would ever want to leave this beautiful coastal city with near perfect weather. But I am excited and happy with my decision to live somewhere new. How could I not be? I am headed to Pacific University.

Pacific University: a college where I can make a difference, a college where I will know and hopefully be friends with almost everyone in my graduating class, and a college where I will receive an amazing education that will prepare me for my goal to become a physical therapist.

More than just that, it is a college where I will be able to meet a large variety of people from different backgrounds, where I will be able to participate in a range of organizations from swim team, to clubs, to maybe even joining a sorority, and where I will be able to experience a whole new environment from what I am used to –snow, seasons, a luau. 

But, even though the list of why I am excited to attend Pacific could go on and on (and is growing steadily everyday as I pack for my Voyage and get to glimpse through Pacific’s Facebook page all of the fun, friendly new people who will join me in being the Class of 2016), I am absolutely positive that this coming school year will be one of the greatest years of my life.

Like I said earlier, how could this year not be awesome? I am headed to Pacific University!

New Program: Engineering

Pacific University is excited and honored to be announcing several new programs arriving on campus for Fall 2012!  Stay tuned for updates about the various programs.  Today, it's all about Art History!  We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Engineering Program.

Pacific University partners with Case Western Reserve University to offer students a dual-degree program. Students attend Pacific University for the first three years of their undergraduate program, choosing a major from among Pacific's offerings and benefiting from the rich liberal arts experience and small-school environment. Students then attend Case for the final two years of their program for specialized engineering course work. At the end of the five-year program, students have two bachelor's degrees and a wealth of experience and perspective to carry them into a career in engineering—or anything else that interests them. Students also can pursue engineering careers by enrolling in engineering programs at other institutions as transfer students or after completing their undergraduate degrees at Pacific University.

Program Highlights

The benefits of Pacific's rich liberal arts experience, including social responsibility, communication skills, real-world application of problem-solving skills, as well a broad platform for future personal and professional growth.

The personal attention and supportive environment of Pacific's small-school atmosphere

Three years at Pacific to complete the core of a liberal arts degree, such as applied science or physics, and begin upper-level courses in science and math

Two years in the Case School of Engineering, one of the nation's top 50 graduate engineering programs and top 10 biomedical engineering programs (U.S. News & World Report)

Eligibility for a dedicated scholarship fund for dual-degree students at Case Western, providing $2,500 per semester for four semesters at Case

Courses

Applied science and physics are the most common choices of majors for Pacific students preparing for the 3:2 engineering program. However, students also could choose from a host of courses or programs in the School of Natural Sciences, including biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, exercise science and mathematics. Students also have access to Pacific's complete liberal arts program and can enrich their undergraduate experience with social sciences, art, music, dance and theater. At Case Western, engineering specialties include aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical and systems engineering.

Student Spotlight: "Teaching Abroad"

For senior Aleah Steinzeig, Israel is a part of her heritage and her family history.

Growing up, Steinzeig heard about the year her mother spent in Israel during a study abroad-type program in college and has always hoped to do the same.

Steinzeig who is a literature major with a double minor in creative writing and sociology, will soon get her chance.

In August, she will be off to Israel to teach English to elementary school-age group children in Rehovot, near Tel Aviv.

“For me this is a life-long dream come true,” said Steinzeig, who has been to Israel once before, eight years ago.

Travel safety warnings prevented her from going to Israel in a study abroad program while in school, so she began looking for opportunities that would take her to Israel post-graduation.

After conducting Internet research, Steinzeig came across the Israel Teaching Fellows, and a program called Ma’ase Olam, which works to put volunteers in positions where they can help educate Israeli students who may not otherwise receive the same level of education.

Steinzeig explained that the goal of the program was “to close the achievement gap” that is apparent in Israeli schools.

By January, Steinzeig had applied and by the end of February, she had been interviewed and selected to be a part of the program.

Though Steinzeig will not meet face to face with the other post-college graduates who are participating in the program until she flies to Israel in August, they have all met each other on Skype. Steinzeig and the other 21 teachers have monthly seminars online to help them prepare.

Once in Israel, they will receive teacher and intensive language training before going into the classroom. Although Steinzeig knows some Hebrew, she is excited to better her skills.

On a personal level, Steinzeig said she wants to “give a little bit if myself to Israel” and that she hoped to bring a little bit of Israel back home.

During the 10 months that she will be away, she will be in the classroom for 25 hours a week, in addition to community service hours and guided excursions.

“For a lot of people, Israel is an exotic location,” Steinzeig said.

Her family and friends have been supportive, though, and some family hopes to visit her in Israel during her stay.

Once back in the United States, Steinzeig hopes to come back to Pacific University to complete her masters of arts in teaching degree and then to teach middle school English.

-Ashleigh Simons