Fewer expected to graduate this fall

For some it's inevitable; for others, it is miles away. But for everybody, it's called graduation and this semester it is projected that 150 fewer Cal State Long Beach students will get their degrees than last fall.

The reason for the decline goes back about four years, when restrictions on requirements were made on transfer students coming into CSULB.

"We had limited enrollment, due to academic regulations a few years back, so this year's enrollment will be down some," said Susan Alvarez, Enrollment Services supervisor.

This fall semester, 1,958 undergraduate candidates could receive bachelor degrees, while another 438 candidates could get their master's degree, depending on actual requirements met by the students, according to Enrollment Services.

For the most part, students plan to graduate in the spring. This spring, 3,171 total candidates registered for graduation, a number also down from last year.

In Fall1994, a total of 2,611 students graduated, Bachelor's and Master's combined, making this semester's projected class of 2,388 the smallest in three years.

For some students, graduation means moving back home until a job comes by.

But for Hassan Abul, system analysis and design major, graduation means going to the Middle East to use his freshly-learned computer knowledge to run his family business.

"I'm looking forward to the workplace and graduating," said Abul. "I already have a job lined up so there isn't much pressure."

Physical therapy is one field which has become less abundant in the last year, while marketing and computer graphic jobs have increased considerably.

For some students, a different job market exists, then which was present when they first enrolled.

Job availability and requirements are changing yearly and for some students, the field of their choice will be different than first anticipated.

Marine biology major Shaun Navarro looks forward to starting his career and likes the new interest in California for saving sea life.

"This is what it's all about," Navarro said. "A few years ago, marine biology wasn't thought of as important as it is today."

Some of the biggest fears associated with graduation include, loan repayment, job availability and pay, according to Institute Research.

According to the financial aid office, students will get 10 months to a year, depending on the loan type, before they have to start repaying the loans.

Aside from loan repayment and job availability, rate of pay is also something students may have not taken into account when venturing out into the job market.

Some students realize they do not receive as much pay in the actual job they majored in as they once thought they would while attending school.

"I thought I'd be making more money," said CSULB alumni Brad Cullen, now an engineer. "You have to make the opportunity for higher pay available for yourself by hard work and determination.

Employers don't necessarily give people money because they have a degree, but more importantly because they are experienced. So not too many graduates get substantial pay."