Graduation over Profession

Graduation is once again upon us and for one Dustdevil her journey as an undergraduate has finally come to an end. Beatriz Saldana is graduating from Texas A&M International University on Saturday, December 13 at 9 a.m. at the Kinesiology-Convocation Building from the College of Arts and Science. Saldana is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Business.

TAMIU is not the first university that Saldana has attended, however. She first attended St. Edwards University in Austin, TX in 1997. Saldana stopped attending school after her freshman year to enter the work field. She waited tables and worked at a bank before catching her first break in event planning and restaurant management. She also worked in non-profit organizations. After 15 years of working, she realized that if she truly wanted a career, she needed her degree.

She decided to go back to school full time in the Fall of 2012 and never took part time semesters. Saldana was employed with the Bethany House as the Director of Operations since August 2011 to September 2014 when she decided to resign to focus on her last semester of school.

“My last senior semester here at TAMIU was going to be very demanding as well as the busy holiday season at Bethany House. I had to make a decision so I could be healthy, keep my sanity and finish strong at school. I made a goal to graduate in Fall 2014 and to graduate with honors. It was a difficult decision and a very scary one! I prayed on it, but at the end of the day I knew my heart was in school and receiving my degree. I had to focus on school, the job market would always be there.”, Saldana stated.

Saldana achieved her goal as she will be walking the stage with honors. She is graduating Magna Cum Laude with high honors from TAMIU. Saldana has an astonishing gpa of 3.73.

Upon graduation, Saldana will be looking for a job in Laredo, San Antonio, or Austin. During the mean time she has applied for the Masters program in Communication at TAMIU and hopes to start in Spring 2015. She will continue celebrating her graduation with her family and friends.

Saldana has enjoyed her time as a Dustdevil and is proud of TAMIU and all that it has to offer. She has the following advice for current and future Dustdevils, “set a goal each semester and not only focus, but achieve it! The staff in all departments and professors are more than willing to help us all succeed. Take studying seriously, ask questions, know your classmates. Don't give up and always SHINE!! Yay,TAMIU 2014!!”

(Photo Courtesy: Beatriz Saldana)

For more information please contact Louie Canela at luiscanela@dusty.tamiu.edu