Students' Comments about the Human Development Major and Faculty

Our graduating seniors often reflect back on their time at CSULB and the Human Development major. Following are quotes from students taken directly from their Final Reflection papers written for HDEV 470.  Pictures were taken at the Spring 2007 Alumni Luau, an event that allowed current HDEV majors to meet and network with HDEV alumni. 

After graduation I will take with me the knowledge of theories and experience of Human Development to provide myself and others with a fully self-actualized life. I plan to make our society better by increasing understanding, teaching forgiveness, and motivating others to make positive changes.

This major, Human Development, I believe is a wonderful major that touches bases with all that is out there—from childhood to adulthood to culture and to everyday life. I can take what I’ve learned the past 3 years and apply it to my own personal life as well as my career.

Being a Human Development major is an honor—I have studied psychology, anthropology, and sociology. This makes my view of the world much broader than that of those who have majored in only one or the other.

I feel this major has given me not only emotional and educational growth, but it has also allowed me to really understand what I am capable of.

This major has changed my perception of others. I realize that we are all very different people and come from diverse backgrounds. I have learned that it is essential to put aside prejudices and try to help others when they need it. It is one thing to just sit around and want to do something, it is another to actually go out and try to do something. Some actions are little and may not make a huge impact, but any action is better than none. 

What I have found the most useful part of this major is the understanding of culture. Being a double major in psychology and human development I have taken many classes about the “individual” but there is so much more than makes up the individual and that is culture. Culture encompasses all the interaction the person has with the world from the food they eat to the way they talk, walk, sleep, etc. Being able to understand this huge role that culture plays in the essence of a person has helped with my interactions with so many people.

I truly feel like I picked the best major not only for choosing a career, but also for my path in life. Human Development opened so many new doors to me in regards to insights on the world, information critical to people in society and how it works. I plan on using this information the rest of my life. I could not have picked a better, more well-rounded major than that of Human Development.

Amazingly as it might seem, Human Development has expanded my mind. I grew up in a sheltered community—coming to a very diverse campus and city was a bit of a culture shock for me. I can honestly say that Human Development was a sort of guide to accept and realize that there is much more than “one self” and one does not need to agree with all points of view, but we do need to understand and acknowledge the diversity.

It wasn’t until my HDEV 180 class with Dr. Manke that I decided this major was for me. This was the first time I actually enjoyed going to class and liked what I learned. I thought I would never find a major that was for me.

When I filed to graduate, Dr. Brown noticed my improvements and told me that you become successful when you find what you want to do.

Dr. Roberts encouraged student interaction; our opinions and voices were encouraged—really encouraged, not just asked for. 

Each class in this major made an impact on me. Dr. Van Giffen made me realize that my education is one of my most powerful assets. I should never just accept information but rather, I should research the validity of it and apply it.

Dr. Rae-Espinoza helped me think critically and made me believe in myself and potential. Because of her I believe in my intelligence and have learned to challenge the world.