PAC Student Media

By Jazmine Ruvalcaba
Pulse staff editor

_{The March 2017 issue of The Pulse is the seventy-fifth issue published since the Fall of 1998. We asked former reporters and editors to let us know where they are now, their favorite Palo Alto memories, and what advice they would give to current students.}

Stefanie Maldonado is currently attending Texas State University and will graduate in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Leadership Studies.

Maldonado plans on traveling the world and working in the PR industry for a year before attending graduate school. Since living in San Marcos, Maldonado has worked for that city’s communications department.

Dr. Richter’s Intro to Mass Communications course convinced her to change her major. Richter’s class, “sparked an interest in this career field,” wrote Maldonado. “I truly benefited from my Pulse experience because it was the foundation for my public writing extension after my core English grammar and writing courses. Being a part of The Pulse staff gave me the confidence in my writing ability and pride of accomplishment as I saw my work published.”

“One of the most important changes I would make from my education at Palo Alto was to have been more involved with PAC organizations and on-campus activities. I didn’t get “the full college experience” that is truly needed to network and make lifelong friends; I just went to school, work and home. I made that change when I transferred to Texas State; I joined Communication organizations, The Leadership Institute, Bobcat Promotions and a community service/cultural awareness Organization-Latina Unidas.”

My advice to current students at Palo Alto and upper-level students at universities: NEVER stop going to school–no matter how long it takes! An education is an investment in yourself that no one can take away from you. Take it one day at a time, and you will see the fruits of your labor. I accumulated so many transferrable credits from Palo Alto that when I transferred, I was a candidate for graduation in one year! I DEFINITELY feel everyone should get involved with campus organizations! It is the best possible way to make friends that have the same interests and goals as you. Being away from home after I transferred to Texas State in San Marcos, I realize now that the bonds formed with these friends are what makes college an important part of my life, and they have really become my family.