About Program
Warriors Rising highlights the inspiring career journeys, accomplishments, and successes of Stan State students and alumni. Explore their stories, discover the many paths a Warrior can take, and find motivation for your own journey from campus to career.
Ricardo Marquez Jr.
- Grad Year: 2026
- Major: Business Administration Operations Management
- Company: Pacific Southwest Container (PSC)
- Role/Title: Leadership Development Program
I first connected with PSC at the Stan State Career Fair. Before that, I had never heard of the company, but speaking with their representatives introduced me to an opportunity that could help me kickstart my career. I decided to pursue the position because it aligned with my interests and offered more than I had ever envisioned for myself.
The application process was smooth and streamlined. I researched PSC and tailored my resume to highlight relevant experience, projects, and skills that aligned with the position. I focused on demonstrating how my background, leadership experience, and eagerness to learn made me a strong fit for the role. I also used Career Services and met with Alex, which was helpful as I prepared for the job search.
The interview process consisted of two rounds. The first was a traditional interview with two PSC representatives who asked about my experience and took the time to get to know me. The second round was much more intensive. Candidates who advanced were invited to PSC headquarters for a full day of interviews and a case study. I completed nine 30-minute, one-on-one interviews with leaders and upper management. Each interview focused on different questions and experiences. For the case study, we were divided into two groups and given fictitious business issues. We then developed a presentation with solutions and presented our ideas to the same leaders and executives who had interviewed us.
My previous experience helped me feel prepared and confident throughout the process. I had relevant operations experience and had completed several operations projects at Stan State, which made me feel ready to address the questions and challenges presented during the interviews. I believe my leadership qualities and eagerness to learn also helped me stand out. In business and operations, it is essential to lead, support others, and serve as a resource to your team. It is equally important to have a growth mindset and a willingness to learn, adapt, and develop new skills. I believe these qualities demonstrated my potential.
Receiving the job offer felt surreal. It felt like a win, but it also felt as though I had been holding my breath for four years and could finally exhale. Everything I had worked hard and prepared for was paying off. I accepted the offer because the role was better than anything I had ever envisioned for myself.
My advice to students going through a similar job search is to trust that you will find something meant for you. There are countless companies and industries you may have never heard of that are looking for someone with your skills and experience. Networking and talking with people can open doors and reveal opportunities you never imagined. I discovered PSC by attending the Stan State Career Fair, and that conversation ultimately helped me take the next step in my career.
Alexis Rodriguez
- Grad Year: 2028
- Major: Business Administration/Econ
- Role/Title: Valley Legislative Program Intern
As an intern through The Maddy Institute, I do not typically work on large, long-term projects. Instead, I handle casework, which can be viewed as a series of smaller projects that I manage almost every day. For example, a constituent may call or email requesting help with a disability check that has not arrived. We gather their information and open a case with the Employment Development Department (EDD). Because EDD may take time to respond, the case can remain active for a while. During that time, I also work on opening and resolving other cases involving similar or different issues.
Occasionally, I assist with other small projects as well. For example, I am currently printing Red Ribbon Week certificates for elementary schools and keeping an accurate count for the schools in our district.
One skill that has been especially valuable in this internship is my ability to speak Spanish. There is only one other Spanish speaker in the office, and because we serve a large number of Spanish-speaking constituents in the Central Valley, I have become a useful resource for handling their phone calls and helping reduce her workload. Other important skills include writing, answering phone calls, responding to emails, and maintaining discipline while completing repetitive tasks. It is important to stay productive and accomplish as much as possible each day because emails and constituent requests continue to come in constantly.
Communication and networking are also valuable skills. While they are somewhat optional, the supervisors in my office are supportive and willing to provide opportunities to interns who demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. For example, they may invite interns to ribbon cuttings or other special events where they can meet important community members and leaders. Being social and comfortable connecting with people makes it easier to take advantage of these opportunities.
Although I already knew how to speak Spanish, I have continued improving my Spanish-speaking skills during this internship. I occasionally forget certain words, but being required to communicate with constituents in Spanish has helped me expand my vocabulary and become more confident. I have also developed my active-listening skills. Constituents sometimes spend ten minutes explaining their situation, and it can be easy to become confused or lose track of important details. I am gradually improving at taking effective notes, remembering the key parts of their stories, and asking clarifying questions when necessary.
In addition to developing specific skills, I am learning more about the resources and government departments available to assist constituents. Before this internship, I was not familiar with the EDD or the services it provides. I am now learning about the different departments and the types of assistance each one can offer in different situations. This knowledge has helped me better understand how constituent services work and how our office can support the community."
Savannah Parrish
- Grad Year: 2027
- Major: Special Major: Technology, Politics and Society
- Role/Title: Panetta Congressional Intern
I am a part of the Panetta Institute Congressional Internship Program, one of the most unique and intensive congressional internship programs in the country. Before heading to Washington, D.C., the Panetta Institute trains each of its interns for two weeks at CSU Monterey Bay.
During our training, we learn from a wide range of speakers, including lawmakers, mayors, researchers, State Supreme Court justices, and the House Parliamentarian. We also participate in hands-on activities that give us a better understanding of the policymaking process. For example, we were divided into groups and tasked with balancing the budgets of different school departments, requiring us to negotiate, defend our department’s priorities, and work toward a compromise.
While completing the training, we also interview congressional offices before receiving our placements in Washington, D.C. I am currently interning with a congressional office representing California’s Central Coast. A lot of my responsibilities involve constituent work, preparing legislative summaries, assisting with Capitol tours, and helping support organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders who have meetings with my congressman.
During my third week as a congressional intern, I took on several unique responsibilities within the office and also spent a significant amount of time figuring out the shortest route to get there.
A major part of my work focuses on constituent service, including answering constituent calls, logging messages and voicemails, and assisting with email batches. It has been especially interesting to learn about the issues that matter most to residents of California’s 24th District and how those concerns can vary depending on the communities within the district.
I am also responsible for helping with communication between congressional staff and other offices. Communication and organization are essential parts of my role, especially when assisting guests, organizations, or other offices that come to meet with Representative Salud Carbajal and his staff. My responsibilities also include writing legislative summaries for bills that the office believes may benefit the congressman’s constituents or support the priorities of the district.
One of the coolest aspects of being on the Hill is how naturally networking happens. You can step into an elevator and end up talking with someone who works in the Department of Defense’s IT division or a staffer from the Ways and Means Committee. There is even a staffer who sends out mass emails with social and networking events happening both on and off the Hill. From setting up coffee chats with advisors to meeting other interns, Congress is full of opportunities, connections, and information. You just have to be eager enough to pursue them and willing to walk through the doors that open for you.
Sometimes, simply being in the right room, at the right time can lead to some unforgettable moments whether it was Rep. Tim Moore casually telling me to have a great day, running into former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell during a late-night McDonald’s run, or having a friendly enough face for East Coast media entrepreneur Gene Loving to stop and tell me that I might just find my way into Congress someday. Those unexpected encounters have been some of the most interesting parts of my experience in D.C.
Overall, the experience has given me the opportunity to see both the policy and constituent-service sides of Congress while learning firsthand how a congressional office serves its district.
Updated: September 17, 2026