UCR Alumi - View of College Life & Life After

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Riverside
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<p>Hi Potential Students/Current Students of UCR,</p>

<p>Sorry for any typos or grammatical errors below. I'm no longer in school so I have no dead to pay attention to these random thoughts.</p>

<p>Like many of you, I juggled with my decision in sending in that letter of intent to attend UC
Riverside a little over 12 years ago. If you think they have a bad image now, it was worst then. That was the time when UC Irvine was a "backup" school and people where crying when then got into UCI.</p>

<p>I was accepted by USC with a full scholarship (swimming) but "decided" not to pursue athletics over education. As an Asian American, my parents were the stereotypical iron fisted rulers of the household and "forbid" me to continue with "the game of swimming" and since they were paying for majority of it I listened. I was also accepted to UC San Diego and Santa Barbara as a Marine Biology major. Parents also did not want me to grow up and become "Shamu Doctor". I know it was my mistake in the end, but I chose UCR who accepted me into their Computer Science major.</p>

<p>I say "mistake" not because UCR was necessarily "bad" because they have one of the strongest Computer Science Department and Faculty. I say it because I still feel that this industry was not truly what I was meant for. I love the water and I still feel Marine Biology was the right path. I did not and do not need to make what I make financially. I didn't want a job or career. I wanted to do what I love. So don't make my mistake because a job will no longer be a job if you love what you do. You may not understand this now, but 10 years from now when you are sitting in your office or cubical at 8 in the morning you'll understand.</p>

<p>The chances of you getting into a UC as an undeclared/undecided major is higher than if you chose a specific major lets say "Computer Science" because there is a limit to how many student are allowed into the major as a freshman, they will only choose the top ranked student that applied, the rest will be denied. So unless you feel that you are that good, apply as undeclared and declare computer science as your major after your first year. "Won't I be wasting a year?" you ask? You have what is called "breadth requirements" which are classes that all majors must take, for example, English 1A,1B,1C. You are required to choose two classes from the social sciences and three classes from another department. So no you are not wasting your time if you choose classes that will fulfill the list of classes your major requires for graduation. Many of these required classes can carry over to other majors if you change your mind later on.</p>

<p>(This is from a few personal years of experience for a few friends of mine)
To those who wish to be a business major and work for the "Big 4" accounting firms (Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young & KPMG). Please keep in mind that these companies will help with your resume and pay you somewhat well, however, realize that they pay you salary and you are working 18 hours, more if you are traveling (not counting the 24/7 hours you are on your Blackberry) you are getting pay crap. They pay you enough for that nice BMW, but you only get to drive it and from the office, you can eventually make enough to buy that nice house, but you won't have time to enjoy it. Your "busy season" will eventually be 11.5 months out of the year and all your friends and family will have to schedule holiday gatherings around you, but you are too tired and just want to rest. You will not have an weekends because they give you a laptop and expect you to be on it. I'm not saying you shouldn't work there, I'm just saying it's not for everyone and definitely not everyone is cut out for it. If you can't work this much/hard, then need to go elsewhere. If you can work this hard, remember that you may loose friends, family and if you want to start a family....you won't, not with this job.</p>

<p>At a 30 years old, I feel that I'm doing pretty well in life, not rich or wealthy by any means, but I live very comfortably and don't have any financial struggles even in these hard economical times (knock on wood). I've got two houses (one as an investment, other close to the beach for myself) that I didn't get with one of those shady loans, own two cars to my name. And I have to say I'm happy, but remember, a job is not a job if you love what you do....I have a job, a great paying job, but that's it...I'm only doing it for the paycheck. </p>

<p>Remember, it's not about "who you know" or even "what you know". It's about "who knows what you know". So diversify your group of friends, meet new people and make sure you find a "professional" job (verses working at Denny's) in your 3rd/4th year in order to network with the right people who will probably know other people that can guide you in the right career path after college.</p>

<p>College experience is what you make of it. All schools can be a party school if you know where the parties are at. But at the end of the 4/5 years and you look back. YOU are responsible for what you made of your college life. Did you party for four years or did you use it to gain knowledge and have fun at the same time? Students from Berkley or UCLA may look down at you for a while. But in my world...the real one. No one cares where you graduated from (unless you are a doctor) as long as you can do the job, do it well and do it right. Because in the working world, eventually your resume will have greater accomplishments than what college you went to...The first page of my resume has what I've developed, the amount of time I save the companies I've worked for which transfers to how much money I've saved them. No one cares where I went to college 12 year after. But I can't deny that I'm who I am because of my experiences at UCR and the knowledge I gained there.</p>

<p>And yes, the city of Riverside can become boring...that's a fact...get a car....for Christmas and Birthdays, ask for Gas gift cards</p>

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<p>just read a few lines, sorry. LOTS of typos</p>

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<p>Thanks for your comments. There is a lot of value in what you say.</p>

<p>I would disagree, somewhat, with your analysis of the accounting profession. I was headed in that direction once and remember that the then “Big 8” experience was, for many, a temporary job. The end game was to get the big 4 experience, make some contacts, then leave to find another job either in a smaller firm or as a controller somewhere. I’ve known some former Big 4 accountants who successfully started their own firms. The nice thing about accounting, too, is that the accounting courses you learn in college are directly and immediately applicable to helping you find a job. After taking basic accounting, for example, there is no reason you could not get a job doing the work of a bookkeeper. Granted, you don’t want to end there, but if you need to make some money right away, basic accounting skills will always help you do that.
To those who have dreams of making a lot of money (I guess that’s all of us!), the following thing you said needs to be emphasized:
“The first page of my resume has what I’ve developed, the amount of time I save the companies I’ve worked for which transfers to how much money I’ve saved them.”
I say this in a slightly different way, i.e., your job has to impact the bottom line, net profit; and, your boss has to know that. No employer in his right mind would do anything to harm his bottom line and the good employers would reward those who affect it most. For students who are preparing resume’s what this means is that you need to somehow tie your school experience, either directly or indirectly, to the prospective employer’s bottom line - whatever that bottom line might be.</p>

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<p>Hi Fuddman,</p>

<p>In my comments on the accounting profession IS telling people that the Big4 job SHOULD be temporary and that future employees need to remember that and not get too attached to it like many of my friends, they complain all the time but never leave. One finally left E&Y a few years ago and like you said, is now controller for a Fortune 500 company and having the time of her life. </p>

<p>The way you described how you would’ve worded “the first page of my resume” is useful to a new graduate’s preparation into the working world, But since I’m not a recent graduate now, I no longer have mentions of on how my school experience affects an employer’s bottom line, instead I have how my previous work experience have affected it. My point is that after a while, your employment experience matters more than your school experience in many professions. We have interviewed/hired employees from some well rated colleges and sadly, many never made it through the probation period due to their ego, temper, lack of time management and failure to meet deadlines.</p>

<p>I’m trying to tell the “younger generation” that your education would not mean much if you have bad work ethics. Just because you got good grades in a top rated school doesn’t mean you are going to be a valued employee if you don’t (as you say affect the bottom line). I’m encouraging people to not look down on UCR, but truly think about how to plan for their future.</p>

<p>“Bottom Line”, “Net Profit”…you truly are an accounting professional!</p>

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<p>I am deeply touched by what you had to say. As an incoming freshman, I had my doubts as to whether or not I’d be happy going to UCR. I didn’t get into any of the top schools that I applied for (Stanford, UC Berkeley), nor did I get into my dream schools (BU, NYU). Most of the schools I got into were at the bottom of my list (UCSC, USF, UCR, and a few others that I won’t mention because they were local schools and I don’t want to give away my location). I was juggling between UCSC and USF and I didn’t really want to go to UCR, but my brother (also an incoming freshman) talked me into it. Obviously, while I stand by my decision and look forward to college, I still have doubts.</p>

<p>I am also of Asian-American descent, and, like you, grew up around high expectations. A few pricks at my high school (which was a relatively prestigious high school in the area I live in) poked fun at me for my choice, which didn’t help me at all.</p>

<p>As somebody who is looking to major in Creative Writing and eventually become a teacher at his old high-school, I am constantly berated and harassed by my parents, and am constantly made to feel like a failure.</p>

<p>All the time, I worry about my future. These worries keep me up at night. I am paranoid that the ramifications of my college choice will resonate throughout my life. Will potential employers look at my choice in college and laugh? Should I have gone with UCSC? Would USF have been better? Was it wise to let my brother (who doesn’t receive nearly as much ****, because he’s planning to become a doctor instead of a teacher) talk me into UCR? Will I end up unemployed? Will I have a job? If I apply to grad school, will they look at the school I chose for myself and giggle at my stupidity? Will anybody hire me? Am I right to pursue a degree in Writing? Was I right to make the decision to pursue a career as a teacher for a high-school that changed my life, or should I have, like my brother, chosen to pursue medicine? Will I be able to support myself? If I get married and settle and have a family, will I be able to support them? </p>

<p>I sometimes look at my brother with envy, because he actually WANTS to become a doctor. It’s been his dream since he was 14. But, when I envision myself as a doctor, something inside me cringes. I feel at home around my old high-school teachers. I feel at home on my high-school campus. This school is where I belong. It has helped me grow as a person in so many ways. The people there have supported me throughout so many personal problems. I love that school, and I want so badly to give back to the community that gave me everything I have.</p>

<p>What I’m trying to say is that I truly appreciate how you chose to stand up and to say these things that I needed to hear, because it reminded me that I am pursuing something I love, and if I end up regretting that, then I’m an idiot. I understand what you went through because I’m going through a lot of the same things myself, and, again, I deeply appreciate how you reminded me that I made the right decision.</p>

<p>Thank you for reinforcing my resolve and my faith in myself, and thank you for showing to me why it’s important to chase your dreams and not get caught up in the need for money and the pressures and the pricks who judge.</p>

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<p>@itwasthewind Thanks! I’m glad someone took my thoughts and words seriously. As long as you have a goal in life and know what you want and what makes you happy, go for it. If being a teacher and giving back to a community that made you who you are is your goal, plenty of people will appreciate it. If along the way you decide to change your mind and maybe be a pre-med and want to be a doctor, do the best you can too! There are only a few wrong paths in life you can take, so far you are still on one of the right ones.</p>

<p>Just always remember to do things for the right reasons…not JUST money.</p>