Dylan Sakamoto '20, MS '23
Words cannot describe how much I have loved my experience at CSULB. I started my collegiate career here all the way back in 2017 as an undeclared freshman, and now I am just two months away from graduating with my master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology six years later. CSULB is an outstanding university with so much to offer, everything from the beautiful campus to the variety of degree programs offered; I truly could not see myself going anywhere else for either of my degrees!
Aside from the picturesque walks I often took around campus whenever I got out early and the delicious breakfast burritos I got from The Nugget every week, the highlights of both my undergraduate and graduate experiences at CSULB were the people I met along the way. I am fortunate to say I have made a lot of lifelong friendships here at CSULB with fellow students I’ve met both in and outside of my classes, friendships that only made my great experience here even better. Whether I met them in my classes, my research lab, the University Honors Program, the Psychology Student Association/PSI CHI, or some other place on campus, the students at CSULB are truly second-to-none.
In addition to the friends who have stuck by me throughout my academic career, I have also had the chance to form close bonds with many of my professors. Mentors of mine like Dr. Halim, Dr. Miller, and all my MSIO professors (Drs. Galvez, Whitney, Warren, and Wax) have done so much to support my personal and professional development throughout the years, both as an undergraduate and as a graduate student. It is an understatement to say I will value the connections I’ve formed at this school for the rest of my life.
CSULB was always a no-brainer for me coming out of high school: my dad went here for his bachelor’s degree, it was much cheaper to attend than other nearby schools, most of my friends were going here, and it was only a twenty-minute drive from my house. Once I decided to major in psychology during my sophomore year, I felt even more confident in my choice as I began to discover the amazing course offerings and faculty we have in the Psychology Department at CSULB.
When it came time to decide where to go for my master’s degree, returning to CSULB was an easy choice once again. The industrial/organizational psychology program here is, in my slightly-biased opinion, the best I/O program in California: the faculty are great, the courses are useful, and the option of doing a portfolio for our culminating experience instead of a thesis is almost unheard of.
For those looking to pursue I/O and use their master’s degree to start their career, this program is hands-down the best place to be.
Following my graduation in May, my next step is to use my newly-obtained master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology and find a full-time role at an organization. While I’m not positive what organization that will be right now or what I’ll ultimately be doing, I am confident the knowledge, skills, and abilities I have developed here at CSULB will help me find the perfect job in no time!
I got involved with the myBEACH Program and CSULB Alumni shortly after graduating with my bachelor’s degree because I wanted to stay connected with the Beach Community after I was no longer a student here. As I’ve mentioned, I absolutely loved my experience here at CSULB, whether as a 49er or a Shark, and there’s nothing I would want more than to stay connected with this place I’ve called home for the past six years. Go Beach!
