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May 15, 2006 Vol. 77, no.
15S
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| PAUL MONASTERIO
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Finding
a niche: Reflections on the past, thoughts on the future
By NE/mathematics senior Paul Monasterio, this year’s student speaker at Commencement
At this stage in my Cal career, I often sit down and think about all
the things I’ve learned during the past four years. Very rarely
do my thoughts converge on a book, lab, or upper division NE class.
When recalling my learning experiences at Cal, I always think of people.
As a freshman from Caracas, Venezuela, my only exposure to Cal was
the worldwide prestige associated with Berkeley’s academic programs,
in particular Berkeley Engineering. Now, as a senior, I realize that
Berkeley’s outstanding academics are only a small fraction of
the many opportunities that we as students have here, and that the
only way to seize them is to find the right group of people to accompany
you on your journey through Cal.
Being a part of the smallest engineering major did not originally
help. My interactions with my fellow nukees did not really start until
my
junior year, when I took my first upper-division NE classes. I know
this sounds ironic, and that most people would think that with only
40 undergraduates, I should have known everyone in the major. However,
in a 1,500-student Chem 1A class, the chances of meeting another freshman
nuclear engineer (out of 10) are very slim. Don’t get me wrong
though. I really like the NE department and, as an upperclassman, I
have learned to appreciate its family-like environment in which professors
and students know each other well. However, I decided that such an
environment could be complemented with some breadth. That opportunity
appeared when I was invited to join Tau Beta Pi (TBP), Cal’s
chapter of the national engineering honor society.
In TBP, I have found my niche. Within the variety of interests of
its members, I found the missing part to my Berkeley puzzle. Through
TBP,
I’ve been able to network with student groups and campus institutions,
serve the community and learn from other students’ experiences.
But more importantly, I have found a community to be a part of. I cannot
think of how my Cal journey would have been had I not joined TBP or
been involved with student groups. I’ve learned much more from
my fellow students than from all of my classes combined.
Looking ahead and seeing the end of the road makes me heavy-hearted
at times. However, I’m happy that all of us in the Class of 2006
are completing our journey, and another group of amazing thinkers,
leaders, and artists is ready to contribute to the world. My soon-to-be-alum “words
of advice” for all students is to find your niche and enjoy your
four, five, or 10 years at Cal. No matter what you end up doing, as
a “Golden Bear” you will definitely do it well. Take advantage
of the great people at Berkeley so that, years from now, when we all
meet again at the top, you’ll not only be meeting old classmates,
you’ll be meeting your friends.
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