“There are no problems, just solutions,” is a phrase graduating senior Hannah Walker’s mother has instilled in her and is always on repeat in her mind.
“This year, it’s just been about finding solutions to fix whatever challenge that I’m facing,” said Walker.
“I was once told, ‘no problems, only solutions’ by an important person in my life. I always felt that was the best advice I could have been told and for me to pass on. That's how I've told her to tackle things that may happen along her journey,” said Emily Walker, Hannah’s mother.
“There may be some hiccups, but you can always work through them. I love it when she will say to me... ‘I know, I know... No problems, only solutions. I know mom!’ I think it's stuck now. Also, live life, stay out of debt and be you, because you is pretty darn incredible,” Emily added about the advice she’s offered her daughter through the years.
Throughout her time at California State University, Bakersfield, Walker has found a way to solve the problems in front of her.
Walker didn’t originally have her eyes set on the university but was convinced to choose CSUB by her track and field coach.
“I was going to go to Bakersfield College instead and transfer out,” said Hannah Banks. “But my coach actually convinced me overall to come to CSUB.”
Walker was offered a scholarship through track and field that would completely pay for college. It was the best option for her – graduating college debt free -- so she took it.
She didn’t know anyone and hadn’t explored the campus much but took a chance. Now, as she prepares to walk the stage to accept her degree, she’s glad she took it.
“Before coming to CSUB, I actually wanted to go into physics and marketing,” explained Walker.
Walker worked with the marketing department in high school through a volunteer program called Leaders in Life. She also loved physics during that time and had it set in her mind, even signing up for classes at Bakersfield College. When she switched to CSUB, she changed her major at the last minute to business.
She is now a business major with an emphasis in marketing.
“Just seeing the different sides of marketing, that it’s not just selling products, but you could do things in different ways,” said Walker of her experiences through internships.
Walker knows how to take opportunities presented to her and to make the most of them.
As an intern for CSUB Athletics, Walker helped with the promotions side of marketing. During games, she would help pass out prizes to the winners of the activities played in between.
One of her favorite things she was able to do was assist with the video board.
“Unfortunately, it didn't last as long as I wanted to, just because of COVID, and they wanted us to be more in person, but when COVID hit, we got shut down,” said Walker.
She helped for some time from home with social media but started another job shortly after that.
Simultaneously, she held another position as the student assistant for the Marketing and Communications Department in the University Advancement Division. In that role, Walker was able to be more hands-on in her approach, which consisted of assisting in a variety of areas.
“It gave me a lot of experiences I never thought I’d be so passionate about,” said Walker, about the love she’s found for photography.
Walker also wasn’t afraid to try new things, nor was she afraid to learn something new – photography, videography, editing and even assisting with CSUB’s brand study.
“It was an experience that I wasn’t expecting to get, but an opportunity that I’m glad I grabbed, too,” added Walker.
It was only meant to last for a semester, but Walker is still there two years later. The internship became more than just new activities and skills, it became about the people for her.
Like any student, Walker has learned to balance schoolwork, internships, jobs and a social life.
“I’m really bad at saying no,” Walker admitted. “I get too much on my plate sometimes, which I’m the type of personality that will just keep trying to get it right in the end.”
The stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic of the past year has allowed Walker to be able to juggle everything from the comfort of her own room – maintaining a social life with her friends and teammates, as well work and classes.
Of course, another main focus during Walker’s time at CSUB was track and field, which Walker notes as a job, for the amount of time and effort poured into it.
“I was already out of my shell and ‘little miss talkative, bubbly’ person. It amplified it more,” said Walker, of the confidence boost the sport and team gave her.
Joining the Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC) also helped her tap into her leadership skills more.
“We don’t have team captains. We have our leadership team, and I’ve been on it since my sophomore year. It's really great. And then track has also opened me up to other opportunities,” said Walker.
It allowed her the chance to interact with other athletes and to give athletes overall, a voice.
“That’s why I like being involved on campus so much. It’s not just for the activities, but the people that I’ve gotten to meet,” said Walker.
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)