Class of '96 to face real world

Graduation is still more than two months away for Cal State Long Beach student Theresa Mata, criminal justice major, but she picked out her cap and gown for the occasion Wednesday. She also placed orders for college memorabilia and found out about joining the CSULB Alumni association.

Mata was part of hundreds of May graduating students who came to the University Student Union for a graduation reception .

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they found out about graduate and professional schools, learnt job searching techniques and received assistance in preparing their resumes.

They were also able to place orders for diploma plaques, graduation announcements and buy discounted software programs on speciasl offer from the University Bookstore.

Mata said she was glad the university offered such a program as, "it gives me a better chance to have all the information I needed for graduation".

Zahid Rahaman, chemical engineering major said he used the occasion to find out about the price of the school ring and his size.

President of the Associated Students Inc., Carl Kemp reminded the graduating students to get ready for the challenges of the real world.

"There are no more free candies, free condoms out there," he said. President Robert Maxson described the day as a special one and said graduating students should take advantage of it to finalize their preparations.

"I hope you are better off because of this university, because this university is better because of you," he said.

The reception was co-sponsored by the Commencement Office, Forty-Niner Shops Inc., the CSULB Alumni Association, the Career Development Center and Associated Students Inc.

Commencement Coordinator, Sharon Olson said 6,000 students are participating in the May 1995 graduation ceremonies.