Fresno State Seniors Encourage Incoming Freshmen to Get Involved

by Fresno State Focus Staff

Students returned to the Fresno State campus for the first week of the fall 2022 semester.  

As students work through their first week of classes, they are also reflecting on what this semester will mean to them.

Some students changed their majors. Others dropped classes that may not fit their interests or work/life balance. Seniors are coming to the realization that this is their last fall semester as a student. Construction management senior Jose Guerrero said finding a purpose worked well for him.

“I would say the first thing is definitely get involved,” Guerrero said when asked what advice he would give incoming students. “Whether it’s with clubs or internships or industry partners and new types of meetings.”

Guerrero will be pursuing a career in renewable energy when he graduates and is excited to travel for his job and get a paycheck that he says “will be super nice.” 

Guerrero is not alone in encouraging students to seek internships during their college careers. 

Macy Myers, a senior studying agriculture business, says that she wishes she would have done internships as a freshman.

“While the classes are valuable, that’s what gets your foot in the door,” Myers said. “Then after that, the internships teach you the technical skills that you may be interested in using in your career.”

She also says it’s OK for students to change their major to one that better fits their interests and goals. 

“I think when you enter college, just know especially as a Fresno State Bulldog, you’re welcomed into a community who wants to help you be successful,” Myers said.

Sophomore Dania Parea was originally a biology major, but it wasn’t working out for her. She eventually switched when she realized art is her true passion.

“Since I was little, my mom put me into art programs, and I really liked it,” Perea said. “Elementary and in middle school I was placed in advanced art, and really liked that. But, I also like knowing science.”

Classes aren’t the only thing students are looking forward to. Football games and fall festivities are soon to return. Moving further away from the long, dark shadow of COVID-19 is also a goal.

Guerrero rated his college experience at Fresno State a six out of ten because of the COVID pandemic that hit the second semester of his freshman year. However, with a more open campus, he’s much happier.

“Going to all these different events and getting to meet all these people and all the friends that I made you know definitely 10 out of 10 because of the people that are brought in my life,” Guerrero said.

As a senior, Guerrero has been reminiscing about his experiences at Fresno State.

“The biggest thing that I’ll miss the most when I leave is the friends that I met,” Guerrero said. “Not just fellow colleagues and classmates but also professors that I’ve been really close with as well.”

For highlights and positive characteristics throughout his college career, Guerrero points to boldness, not being afraid to “put yourself out there,” togetherness, teamwork and communication. 

Myers, who has been a Bulldog for four years, says that she will miss the people and connections she made while at Fresno State.

“People are friendly and collaborative,” Myers said. “They are welcoming and overall inviting.”

Fresno State offers many opportunities for students including internships and football games. Plenty of classmates are sitting around just hoping to be asked to grab a drink or go bowling. You can join a club, sign up for the Peach Blossom Festival, or apply for a job at the campus newspaper, The Collegian.