But many of these 5,000 plus future leaders face a new challenge, finding a job.
"It's really scary," said graduate Aliyah Baig.
Audrey Martinez: "Hopefully I'll just get lucky".
And Armando Gutierrez said: "its nerve racking."
Especially when looking for work in the Central Valley. All six counties have an unemployment rate above 11%. Merced has the highest at 18.3%.
"Would I say it's been the worst it's ever been? Not necessarily. But yes it has affected [students]," said university career service director Rita Bocchinfuso-Cohen.
Bocchinfuso-Cohen helps students build their resume, search for jobs and network.
Graduate Armando Gutierrez knows how valuable networking is. He just got a job with the San Jose Sharks hockey team. "A family member actually got me in to them but it was just experience and knowledge of what I do," he said.
This is perhaps one of the most memorable days for many of these college graduates but what most of them will not forget is that only 1 in 5 has a job headed out into the real world.
"It's really hard juggling, trying to find a job especially with everything going on," said Baig.
Martinez said: "I'll try to find a part time job and if not then I'll try the job search full time."
Bocchinfuso-Cohen said employees desire experience. With that in mind she said taking on internships and fellowships gives job seekers an edge.
"It makes it a whole lot easier and makes you more competitive for a position," said the career service director.
And maybe then, once these grads find a job, they can say 'I did it', again.
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