2021 Graduates Look Back on Their College Experience

2021 Graduate Looks Back on His College Experience

Rory Parker ’21 at his May 2021 Commencement Ceremony

SUNY Oswego exceeded my expectations for what I believed I would have accomplished

pursuing my undergraduate degree. Graduating from high school I was eager to look ahead at my Future Landscape. The excitement came from the challenges I knew I would face, in becoming the best version of myself and I was ready to conquer them. Knowing that such notable figures in the broadcasting industry started their journey here at SUNY Oswego gave me an enormous amount of confidence in the belief that if I put in the necessary work, I can become anything I want to be.

Through my numerous classes in Broadcasting and Mass Communication, my amazing professors pushed me to not only be the best broadcaster I can be, but also be a more, well-rounded individual. Before arriving at SUNY Oswego I didn’t take my academics as seriously as I should have, because I was more invested in playing sports. After sitting in class for the first couple of weeks here, I knew that I had to start devoting myself to my classwork. My professors emphasized that I have control of my own destiny and my success would depend on how badly I wanted it. Being a first-generation college student, I also felt as if I had people rooting for me, especially my mom, and I refused to let them down. With that realization, I had the drive to always put forth my best effort when completing any type of assignment because I knew it would pay off in the long run.

When the campus community was sent home due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, I was making the most out of all the opportunities that were presented to me. I was going into my second semester of my junior year trying to be involved with extracurricular activities. I was the co-host of my own original production sports show for the student-run

television station WTOP. I also was fortunate enough to be a teaching assistant for an Intro to Video Production course that I had taken when I was a freshman. I was involved in activities that positioned me to gain the skills that would help me in the future. Then it all came an unexpected halt. I had to adjust from face-to-face, in-person learning to virtual classes via Zoom. I had to learn how to learn in this new format.

It was quite challenging because I was used to relying on the resources the school provided when I faced problems with my academics and that wasn’t as accessible as it once was. Although it wasn’t easy, I had to become more self-reliant and push harder than ever, during a period when people were questioning what their next steps would be. Learning new techniques helped make the transitional period a bit more comfortable. Planning my day-to-day routine was one that helped out tremendously because there was a lot of still time in my college career and I wanted to make the most out of it. To this day, I am still planning out my days and it has helped me get more things done.

As I look to life post-graduation, I’ve come to realize that things happen for a reason. You have to just accept it and continue on with your path. Time waits for no one, and I have embedded that in my brain. It is a reason why I’ve been so successful thus far. My plans after graduation are to apply to as many jobs as possible so that I can get my foot in the door in starting my professional career. I will always be thankful for everything SUNY Oswego has done for me. I wish that once I’m in a comfortable place with my career that my journey will give someone else the courage to push and strive to be the best they can be. I will continue to move forward in my career and toward my future goals, thanks to my mentors and SUNY Oswego.

Rory Parker ’21 wrote this piece during his internship with Development and Alumni Engagement in Spring 2021.

Other Graduates Share Their Plans, Reflections

Liam Alexander ’21
Majors: Finance and Risk Management and Insurance
Hometown: Cheshire, Conn.
Post-Grad Plans: Find an internship or sponsor to get my Series 7 and other various certifications.
Lessons from COVID: The importance of time management, and I’ve become more adaptable to a volatile learning environment.

Giovanni Anastasio ’21
Major: Cognitive Science
Minors: Information Science and Digital Humanities
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: Pursue a master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, and from there, I look to find a career.
Lessons from COVID: Be adaptable to new technology and different ways of communicating with others.

Wida Azizi ’21
Major: Global and International Studies
Minor: Business
Hometown: Buchanan, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: Take a year off. I hope to catch some footing in the world and pursue internship and career opportunities to gain experience.
Lessons from COVID: Don’t take anything for granted. Time is fleeting, and it stops for nobody.

Alana Candela ’21
Major: Marketing
Minor: Graphic Design
Hometown: Pleasantville, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: I plan to move back to Westchester and pursue a career in NYC in marketing and graphic design.
Lessons from COVID: Never take anything for granted. Appreciate everything you have while you have it. Be the best version of yourself.

Connor Gladitsch ’21
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Melville, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: Work for Newmark Knight Frank on Long Island, study to get my commercial appraisal license.
Lessons from COVID: The importance of handling difficulties as they present themselves, rather than fearing what is coming next.

Paul Morais ’21
Majors: Accounting and Economics
Hometown: Washingtonville, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: Get my MBA in Accounting at SUNY Oswego; Intern at KPMG in NYC.
Lessons from COVID: The importance of virtual learning and being able to deliver a presentation to an online audience. Most things done in person can be integrated into virtual work.

Cassie Mutone ’21
Major: Psychology
Minor: Health Science
Hometown: Garnerville, N.Y.
Post-Grad Plans: Go back home and take an exam to become a social worker for a year. Then go to grad school to become a trauma specialist.
Lessons from COVID: Always have a backup plan because you can never predict what’s in the foreseeable future.