Jeffery Guy, Industrial Technology Student Spotlight

 

Recent master’s degree recipient Jeffery Guy is extra proof that a Fresno State Industrial Technology diploma leads to an exciting career.

After the Modesto Junior College graduate received his Fresno State undergraduate degree in 2016 he shifted an internship with Pacific Gas and Electric Company into a full-time position. Seven years later he finished a master’s degree with the same campus department while supervising PG&E’s agriculture and food processing account management team.

His passion for technology has also led him to start a new business designing dual VIAIR compressor truck mounts (and more info on the product that was the focus of his graduate R&D project is at: https://www.guycoindustries.com).

Read more about his background in this recent interview.

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State, and how did you pick your major?

“Since earning my bachelors degree in Industrial Technology from Fresno State in 2016 I had considered returning to work towards a Master’s Degree in Industrial Technology. The choice to continue my education at Fresno State was an easy one since I had such a positive experience during my undergraduate studies. The degree’s value became evident once I started working in industry so that’s why I chose to continue with Industrial Technology, plus, I really enjoy the area of study.” 

Q: Do you have any other family members who graduated or attended Fresno State?

“My wife, Cicily Guy, graduated from Fresno State with a Animal Science B.S. Degree in December of 2018.”

Q: Which classes and faculty members have had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State?

“Both Dr. Seth (Balaji Sethuramasamyraja) and Dr. (Arun) Nambiar have been very helpful throughout my master’s studies.”

Q: Describe your graduate degree research and/or product development topic, why you chose it, and how it will benefit industry/etc?

“My graduate project dealt with the design, manufacturing, and marketing of a compressor mounting system. I decided on this topic because of my own personal need for a mounting solution. The project truly was a culminating experience of everything I’ve learned in the Industrial Technology program because it involved aspects from all phases of the product development and marketing cycle. The product I developed as part of my graduate project is for sale and I plan to continue to create new accessories for the system I’ve designed.”

 

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

“Prior to transferring to Fresno State for my undergraduate studies, I attended Modesto Junior College where I studied agricultural business and animal science. I actually transferred to Fresno State for agricultural business but decided to change my major to industrial technology after learning about the program. I had a number of harvest-related jobs while completing my undergraduate work.” 

Q: Describe any internships you've done at Fresno State, and how they have prepared you for your career path?

“I had an internship at PG&E while I was working on my undergraduate studies. I was hired on permanently with them shortly after graduating with my BS as an Agricultural Account Manager, and I still worked there while pursuing my master’s degree. After I started in Fall of 2022, I moved into a Product Owner role for a special software project in January of 2023. As of March 2024 I switched to supervising our PG&E agriculture and food processing account management team”

 

Q: What clubs or student organizations at Fresno State have you been a part of?

"I was a member of the Automotorsports and Advanced Technology Enterprise (ATE) organizations as an undergraduate student."

 

Q: What’s your potential next career step?

“I plan to continue in my leadership role at PG&E managing the team who works with agriculture and food processing customers.”