Dear Gators,
It is just a few short weeks from the end of the semester, and I hope that your classes have been going well. We are almost there! For graduating seniors, all your hard work is paying off, and the reward is in sight. To the rest of our community, summer break and a well-deserved rest are almost here. Keep going!
This month, I would like to share a conversation I had with Presidential Scholar Brenda Rivera, who will soon graduate with a degree in Psychology. Brenda’s experience at SFSU reflects the journey many SF State students take learning to balance academic responsibilities while thoughtfully planning for their future.
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Can you share what year you’re in and where you’re from?
I am currently in my fourth year and I am from East Palo Alto.
What drew you to SFSU and how has your experience been?
What drew me to SFSU is the Ethnic Studies department. Although I am a Psychology major, I learned about how the Ethnic Studies department came to be at SFSU, and it truly inspired me. I have loved my experience so far. I feel like I belong whenever I am on campus because there is so much inclusion for students of color. My professors have all been so kind and supportive of me throughout my journey as well.
What are you majoring in and what has been one of the challenges of that work?
I am currently majoring in Psychology. One of the challenges when it comes to majoring in Psychology is learning about the discrimination and racism that Psychology has had throughout history. The racism and sexism that Psychology had is still prevalent in today’s world and has affected many people’s mental health in a way that they may not be aware of.
What are your plans for after you graduate?
After I graduate, I plan to take a gap year to gain more clinical experience through my behavioral therapy and save money for Grad school. I will also find more volunteer opportunities to support my clinical experience, such as volunteering at a suicide hotline.
What campus resources have you used during your time here that you think other students should know about?
During my time here, I have used the career center. It was hard for me to gain experience in Psychology as an aspiring therapist. Many of the opportunities out there are for graduate students in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or counseling programs. When I met with someone from the career center, they showed me websites SFSU offers for job and internship searching, which made it easier for me to see which jobs are available. I did get my current behavioral therapy job through SFSU Handshake. They also reviewed my resume and helped me practice interview questions, which I truly believe helped me get the job I currently have.
What skills or people have helped you succeed at SFSU?
Two important skills that have helped me succeed at SFSU are using my planner and being self-disciplined. I love school, but I also enjoy working, going to the gym, and hanging out with my friends. Balancing work, study, and social life can be difficult to maintain. Coming to SFSU, I quickly experienced burnout during my first year. It was difficult for me to balance all my personal lives and still pass my classes. During my time here, I learned how important it is to use a planner to write down my assignments and what is due that day. I also learned to use my free time for homework and studying. Although I wanted to rest before work, I would remind myself of how rewarding it would be to get home from work
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Brenda’s journey reflects SFSU’s commitment to equity, social justice, inclusion, and preparing students to contribute to a diverse and global society. Her process of managing hard academic work while learning to navigate competing priorities and by taking advantage of what our campus has to offer, such as the Career Center, Brenda’s experience reflects our continuing work to provide accessible pathways to career advancement for all of California’s students.
I want to thank Brenda for sharing her story and for embodying the true Gator spirit.
With appreciation,
Dr. Jamillah Moore (she/her/hers)
Vice President for Student Affairs
*This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity without changing its tone or message.
