FRESNO, Calif. -- As the semester comes to a close, the Fresno State Student-Athlete Development Program, Bulldog Built, completed its cornerstone event with a Career and Networking Night. Student-athletes had the opportunity to practice professional networking skills and learn more about their career fields of interest from professionals in a variety of industries.
Throughout the semester, students prepared for this event by engaging in career conversations, resume and LinkedIn profile creation, and networking and interview practice. Over 80 professionals attended, including many former Bulldog student-athletes. These community members shared their experiences and career journeys with over 120 upper-class student-athletes. Professions included business owners and entrepreneurs, physician assistants and clinical psychologists, financial advisors, veterinarians, coaches, sales managers, teachers, engineers, marketing executives and more. These experienced professionals provided insight on opportunities that can best prepare student-athletes to begin their career upon graduation.
In October, Bulldog Built hosted a Career and Major Exploration Night for underclass student-athletes, facilitated by campus career liaisons, college advisors, and professors. Focused on early intervention and career support, this opportunity was the first step in preparing for life after graduation. Over 130 student-athletes were provided detailed information on career and graduate school application processes and steps they can take throughout their time at Fresno State to better understand and be prepared for their ultimate career goals.
During the fall semester Bulldog Built partnered with the Hub for Language Teaching and Learning in support of two International Student-Athlete socials. These socials were open to all student-athletes and focused on community building among international student-athletes, and provided information on additional resources offered by campus.
In continued celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and Fresno State's Women of the Valley initiative, members of our women's Track and Field and Water Polo teams attended the Central Valley Women's Conference luncheon, hearing from keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Chief Medical Correspondent for Good Morning America. Also part of the Women of the Valley initiative this fall semester was a coffee and connect. Female student-athletes gathered at a local coffee shop to connect with one another and had the opportunity to learn more about the history of Title IX.
Wellness and mental health was also a focal point throughout the semester. In September, our partner Halcyon Behavioral facilitated a suicide prevention education session, to help student-athletes better understand signs of crisis and how to best support themselves and others. Prior to finals week students had the opportunity to participate in yoga as a means of self-care and recentering prior to exams.
Bulldog Built is designed to further enhance the well-being of student-athletes and provide opportunities for them to grow holistically, both personally and
professionally. With programming centered on character formation, professional development, and community engagement, Bulldog Built will prepare Fresno State student-athletes to enter into their postgraduate life with leadership skills, confidence, integrity, and a drive to succeed.