Natasha Milanez: Winery Student Assistant Spotlight 

Agricultural business senior Natasha Milanez manages a busy schedule as a key member of the Fresno State Winery staff.

Even though campus closed for in-person classes in mid-March, the Dinuba native has continued to drive an hour each weekday to deal with the increased direct sales volume to customers.

Besides serving as the campus wine club president, she is involved with all aspects from sales, marketing, delivery logistics, clerical work, customer service, database & inventory management, event planning, palletizing, & anything else that is needed.

She may not have had any prior experience with winery operations, but learn why she is now attracted to it as a career in this interview.

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State and pick agricultural business as a major?

Milanez: "I am very close to my family, and I didn't want to leave them once I was off to college. I've commuted the whole time every day from Dinuba all the way to Fresno."

Milanez: "My initial declared major was business administration, but after my first semester, I decided to change it to ag business because there are so many agriculture industries surrounding me, and I knew I wasn't going to have a problem on finding a job right after I finished my degree. Also, what triggered me the most was the way everyone connects with each other and how united they are in this field."

Q: Are any other family members that are Fresno State alumni?

Milanez: "My aunt, Sheyla Reynaga, graduated in 2018 with a degree in liberal studies with a minor in business administration."

 

Q: What was your most memorable experience at Fresno State?

Milanez: "I enjoyed every single minute of working at the winery, and I am so thankful for having the opportunity to work here. The knowledge and experience I gained is so rewarding for my future career."

 

Q: What's your next career step?

Milanez: "I want to work in the wine industry and hopefully do what I'm currently doing at the campus winery. I would like to focus more on wine club and help different wineries improve their growth and strategies with their wine clubs, but it's challenging time. If that doesn't work out, then I would like to go into the produce industry and do sales or logistics for a company."

 

Q: What were some of your favorite Fresno State classes and why?

Milanez: "Art, women's studies, Spanish, and all of my agricultural business classes. I enjoyed every single one of them."

Q: Which faculty members had the biggest influence on you?

Milanez: "All of my ag business professors had a big influence on me because they all taught me different things that will be very helpful with my career and life in general. If it's not sales and marketing strategies, it's Excel, or a lot of life lessons that they shared in class that were very eye-opening. I am beyond thankful for all of my professors."

 

Q: Did you travel to any professional conferences?

Milanez: "I traveled to both Produce and Marketing Association (PMA) Convention trips last year. I was selected by Dr. Asci and Dr. Berends to go on the small PMA trip in July along with 3 other students and Dr. Berends. I also attending the Big PMA expo in October. They were very eye opening and helpful for understanding the industry better and making contacts."

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Milanez: "My grandpfather owned land in in Mexico and raised cantaloupe, lemons, wheat, and mangoes. Years later, he decided to move to the United States with his family and sold all of his crops. They lived in Los Angeles for several years and after that, they decided to move to the Central Valley because he was tired of the city. He wanted to feel like he was in Mexico so my whole family decided to buy a ranch with 9 acres of olive trees. He prunes, fertilizes, and still harvests on his own with the help of my family."

Q: Are there people you would like to thank that have been key influences for you receiving your diploma?

Milanez: "I would like to thank my whole family for being such a great support system while I was attending college. They always pushed me to do better. I would also like to thank my dad. He is in heaven now, but I know he was protecting and guiding me every step of the way."