Lizette Alonso

Lizette Alonso

Human Communications Professor


California State University, Fullerton

Fullerton, CA USA


I believe that teachers should remind themselves and their students that they are human and imperfect.

Milestones

My road in life has taken me all over.
Beginning community college at ELAC
Getting good grades, connecting with professors, and realizing potential
Taking a public speaking course
Declaring communication studies as a major
Began lab directing as an undergrad
Received a BA from CSUF
Got accepted into grad school
Got invited as a guest speaker for first-gen students

Education

High School
Associate's Degree
East Los Angeles College
Bachelor
Communication Studies
California State University, Fullerton

Career

Human Communications Professor

I help students build communication skills.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Technology
Communicating / Sharing Stories

Day to Day

I teach HCOM100 at CSUF. On a typical day, I wake up at 9AM and head to CSUF. Before my classes, I head over to the department office to prep and organize for class. During my assigned sections, I lecture about various communication topics and go over any assignments or concepts. After class, I stick around to talk to students and answer questions during my office hours. Afterwards, I head home. At home, I grade any assignments, like speeches or papers, and prepare for upcoming lectures.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

certification
Associate's Degree
undergrad
Bachelor
Communication Studies

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Parents:

"Originally, I wanted to pursue performing arts due to my dance and cheerleading background. I received backlash from my parents because they felt that major would not lead to a sustainable career pathway."

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation College Student

Q&A

How has your teaching style evolved?

Asked by Clerise at CSUF

Ms. Alonso's doesn't think she has a set teaching style. This is because her batch of students changes each semester, so she has to change her style to cater to the class. As a result, each class is taught differently.

Do you ever have "off" semesters or sections?

Asked by Clerise at CSUF

There are times where sections will be less engaged than others. This could be because of the class time or simply the engagement of the students.

How do you deal with those "off" sections.

Asked by Clerise at CSUF

Ms. Alonso deals with off-sections by incorporating activities or memes in her lectures that can help engage the class. If needed, she'll "coerce" her students by reminding them that participation is a fundamental part of their grade.

Teachers often say grading is the worst part of grading. Is this true?

Asked by Clerise at CSUF

Ms. Alonso says that grading is a tedious aspect of grading. Also, having to give students low grades makes her feel like the bad guy. However, seeing the improvement of students is a rewarding aspect of the task.

Interviewed By

Clerise

at CSUF