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Show WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 Mac actually graduates By MAC WALKER A&E Editor For the past 24 years, with the exception of a two-year-long hiatus, I have been a student. And now in less than two weeks, I’ll graduate (hopefully) and move on. The problem is this: I have no freakin’ idea what the future looks like. But luckily, Weber State University has prepared me for basically anything. I’m graduating, and I know that this has been one of many steps for me in finding who I am, and to be honest, I owe this self discovery to the opportunities that I’ve been afforded at Weber State. When I first transferred to the school, recently married, I knew less than a handful of people. But I quickly realized that because Weber State was a learning-based institution that prepares its students for the real world, I would never be expected to do a project alone. I would have the help of the students around me and the time of the professors if needed. I looked forward to each class, and unlike any college I had ever attended before — this was my fourth — every one of my teachers honestly cared about my learning, or at least they did a good job at pretending like they did. 3 EMILY CROOKS | The Signpost Although WSU is a learning institution first, they still have many opportunities for students to conduct primary research. In my junior and senior years of school, I got to work closely with Colleen Packer on research, analyzing how transgender persons feel accepted based on their self identification. Through this research, I had the opportunity to travel and present at both the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research at the University of Utah and the National Conference of Undergraduate Research at UNC-Asheville. Without WSU, I would never have had these chances. But it wasn’t just the close re- lationships formed with teachers and students that changed me over these last 3 1/2 years. It was also the job opportunities that just seemingly fell into my lap. Two weeks after starting school, I walked into the Writing Center with the hopes of picking up an application. Right then, I was instead given an interview and hired. I never expected things to move so quickly. Over my time as a Writing Center consultant, I have been able to see students grow, which furthered my recognition that WSU puts their students first. Not many schools offer peer-topeer tutoring services, but we do, and these opportunities help students learn from not only our professors but from each other. Through my time as a writing consultant, one of my coworkers was able to inform me that a copy desk position was opening at The Signpost, and again, a job fell into my lap that changed who I am and gave me even more chances to meet people who would affect my life. I guess by the end of this all, I might not know where my future may take me, but I do know that Weber State University has changed me for the better, and I’ll forever be a Wildcat. Follow Mac on Twitter @mathewcwalker Thank you, Weber State MUJTABA AL-RASHED Photo Reporter My arrival at Weber State University five years ago marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Having newly arrived from Saudi Arabia, with very little knowledge of English, to say I was “scared” is an understatement. Nonetheless, my elder brother reassured me that it would be okay. And he was right. As per his suggestion, I chose Weber State and enrolled in Level 1 of the program “English as a Second Language.” Right away, I was given a great partner for conversation practice. Throughout the course of my ESL studies, I had three different partners for seven levels. Learning with each of them was a great experience. I started my academic program in 2012. I began pursuing a degree in Computer Science and changed my major to Network Management Technology (the same topic I studied in Saudi Arabia) two years later. Although the transition was not easy, my advisor was extremely helpful. She suggested courses that would fit well with my interests and help me to develop as a professional in my field. One of my favorite things about Weber State was the “international students’ coffee breaks” held once a week. During these breaks, groups of students from all being a part of a multinacorners of the globe met tional and multidenomito talk about their back- national community. We grounds, cultures and ma- respect each other and coljors at WSU. laborate with each other In addition, I had the despite being from different pleasure of taking part in a backgrounds, ethnicities great number of activities and nationalities. I learned sponsored by the univer- so much during my tenure sity that helped to enrich here. In conclusion, I would my academic experience, like to express my deepest “Project Lead,” for exam- gratitude to Weber State ple, where I took part in a University. You have taught number of course sessions me so much. Thank you. that ended with a certifiAfter five life-changing cate of completion. I also years at Weber State Univertook classes in Emerging sity, I am extremely excited Leadership. Last semes- and optimistic about where ter, I worked with Signpost life will take me from here. as an event photographer. With a bachelor’s degree Over the past few years, I and a wealth of experience, attended career fairs, vol- I feel prepared for the fuunteered, joined a local ture, and I look forward to family for Christmas dinner more years of learning, coand worked with a personal operation and success. trainer at the gym. 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