EDGAR MORALES: Cal state, long beach

major: accounting / Minor: Public policy

I am currently studying at CSULB and transferred from SMC after 3 years. I wanted to develop my skills in accounting because I do wish to incorporate analytics, decision making, and financial & managerial accounting skills with public policy into developing plans, projects, and a social enterprise that works with the community, rather than just focusing on profits. I want to focus on social entrepreneurship for that reason and want to study at Stanford University for my MBA. #Stanfordgoals

clubs/organizations I was a part of at smc: 

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society: I was a regular member for a semester before jumping into the Webmaster position. Absolutely loved learning basic coding (with no prior experience); being a part of Honors in Action with fellow Kappans researching, collaborating, and discussing with non profits how to work with the homeless youth; and having the chance to work with other clubs on outreach and sharing social media content. I became the President the following year and worked with our SMC community on College Project, created this Alumni network, and learned incredible leadership, communication, and social skills with our community at SMC. Working with fellow Kappans I was able to incubate my nonprofit idea, which is described below under the Stanford Summer Program. 

Associated Students Government: I was a commissioner for the Student Trustee, Director of Publicity, and Director of Sustainability in which I was able to learn exactly how each position geared itself towards providing students with important information and how student government is absolutely important in representing our student body. More students should be aware and involved within A.S.'s activities since ideas can become resources and possible permanent features within our campus. Click here for A.S.'s website & get in contact with directors for more info.

Resources I used:

College Fish Website: Basically a LinkedIn for scholarships. This was incredibly helpful in finding some scholarships that applied when I was still studying at a CC and found some transfer scholarships. This is also a free website open to all students and may differ from Scholly app. In the past it was only avaialble to PTK members, but opened up to everyone just recently.

Opportunities at smc: 

Stanford Summer Program: I applied to this program because a friend and fellow Kappan went before and held a workshop on how to apply, write a good personal statement, and what to expect from the program. Was accepted and took the following courses: Human Rights & World Literature (COMPLIT 57), Introduction to Decision Making (MS&E 52), and New Indicators of Well Being and Sustainability (CEE 171F). Did research there on how I could develop my nonprofit idea of linking (think CSR) educational institutions with local nonprofits working with the homeless youth to provide educational resources, assistance, and opportunities. This nonprofit is currently in the works and Stanford's classes, professors, and those who I met there had a huge impact on how I wanted to tackle this idea, incubate it, and present it soon. Ended up leaving with a certificate of completion in International Management. Contact me if you wish to find out more about this program, but be sure to first explore the whole Stanford Summer website before contacting me. 

Dale Ride Internship: While I was not accepted for this internship it is important to take a look at this opportunity and apply (when the application opens) that is exclusively available for Santa Monica College students. Gives you a great opportunity to visit Washington D.C. and explore opportunities under a Washington, DC governmental or nonprofit organization. 

Opportunities and Resources available at CSULB (To be updated as I go along):