Seniors are taking their last steps toward the finish line of their college education as they complete their classes, finalize graduation requirements and prepare to toss their cap in celebration to denote the end of their college education.
Although seniors often carry these responsibilities on their own, there are also people who supported them throughout their time at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Andrew Rodriguez, 26, an English and American Literature major with a minor in film, says he feels grateful for his adviser’s aid as he was able to build an ideal schedule that allowed him to graduate with ease.
“My advisers and mentors did so much for me, and I feel eternally blessed for them, grateful even,” Rodriguez said. “My degree plan and the roadmap to get to the point where I can graduate while taking the classes I wanted to was perfectly communicated and advised without any hiccups.”
Rodriguez also mentions that through his mentors’ guidance he was also able to land opportunities in film and cinema, as he was able to work on set for the film “One Battle After Another”.
“One of my many mentors gave me a job opportunity for two weeks by working on a film that the world would come to know as “One Battle After Another”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Benecio Del Toro,” Rodriguez said. “I was able to be a background runner for those two weeks shooting in the downtown areas, bringing some of the best memories in my life. Without the help of my advisers and mentors I would never have been so driven to pursue cinema and film arts as I do currently.”
Joel Carrasco, 32, a digital media production major with a minor in film, recalls how his passion for film was sparked by his time in a class led by UTEP professor, Katherine Bird.
“My favorite course that I attended was a class called film theory,” Carrasco said. “The professor of this course was so incredibly passionate about the subject, and it created an ambition inside of me that I didn’t know existed.”
Carrasco has also built a connection of trust and support with Dr. Maria De Los Angeles Flores, who played a key role in lifting his spirits.
“Dr. Flores has been a professor that has uplifted me in moments of doubt, and she has always helped me reveal my potential to myself,” Carrasco said. “I have and will always owe a lot of my ambitions to her for her acts of kindness and general guidance.”
Advisors and mentors help guide students to the biggest moment of their academic careers, walking the graduation stage. As students look back, these relationships provide more than just career opportunities but also support.
Daniela Ordaz is a contributor for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected].
