Cal State Fullerton’s Passage to the Future program has grown steadily over the past three years and now serves more than 600 humanities and social sciences students each year. Through its signature Titans Reach Higher Weekend, students spend time with alumni, business leaders and professionals who show them what a College of Humanities and Social Sciences degree can lead to after graduation.
For many students, graduation is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of questions. Students leave Cal State Fullerton with valuable knowledge and transferable skills, yet many still wonder: What’s next? How do I turn my degree into a career?
Passage to the Future was created to help students answer those questions, and Titans Reach Higher Weekend has become one of the program’s most impactful experiences. This year’s weekend brought 45 HSS students to San Diego for three days of leadership workshops, mock interviews, networking and career exploration.
“The greatest gift we can give our students isn’t simply career preparation — it’s the confidence to believe in themselves,” said Chérie Rolapp, director of the Passage to the Future program.
What makes Titans Reach Higher Weekend different is the people. Students spend the weekend learning from executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, nonprofit leaders and accomplished CSUF alumni who volunteer their time to share their experiences. Speakers such as Silicon Valley technology executive Gideon Marks, entrepreneur Shirin Behzadi and deputy public defender Matt Wechter spoke not only about their careers, but also about the setbacks, career changes and unexpected opportunities that shaped where they are today.
Rather than presenting polished success stories, the speakers were candid about life after graduation. They reminded students that careers rarely follow a straight line and that some of the best opportunities come from being willing to adapt, take chances and keep learning.
Political science major Daisy Acosta said one lesson stayed with her long after the weekend ended: “The most valuable lesson I learned was to not let fear take over your life and to take risks because you might miss out on an amazing opportunity.”
One of the most valuable parts of the weekend was the chance to sit down with CSUF alumni who had once asked themselves the same questions. Students also participated in one-on-one mock interviews, received personalized feedback, and built relationships with professionals who continue to encourage and mentor them after the weekend ends.
For psychology major Joshua Sumalpong, the conversations completely changed the way he viewed his future.
“Meeting CEOs, executives and industry leaders who valued the unique skills my degree provides opened my eyes to possibilities I had never considered.”
For many students, Titans Reach Higher Weekend is more than a weekend away from campus. It is often the first time they see how many different paths a HSS degree can lead to — and the first time they begin to picture themselves taking those next steps with confidence.
Visit the Passage to the Future program website to learn more.