Student Flowchart

Enroll in specific lower-division courses
You will be automatically enrolled in two general education courses (one in each semester) that are specifically designed to support you during your first year at Fresno State.

• CSM 10: In this course, you will develop essential skills in gathering and evaluating quantitative evidence to help make reasoned decisions, in science and in life. Using a research-based scientific approach, you will learn how to apply evidence to make decisions about sustainability in real-life applications.
• CSM 15: This class is specifically designed to give practical experience applying a scientific approach to real-world problems and to prepare you for any future work, internships, and/or any research experiences you’d like to accomplish.

Identify with possible careers and aspirations in relevant areas
By completing classes that will give you hands-on, real-world experience, you will get a better understanding of different career paths. Students should use this opportunity to explore which career path they would like to follow.

Continue in your lower-division classes
Your academic counselor will help you find classes that are in line with your educational and career goals.

Explore potential research opportunities
Grow your strengths in research by participating in a hands-on research experience. Students can present research projects and findings at the High Impact Practices Symposium and other conferences such as Ag Business Management Conference and Food  + United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Enroll in upper-division classes and continue undergraduate research
As students continue their upper-division classes, they will complete specific assignments during the second semester that will assist in obtaining an undergraduate research project. In addition to providing students with the knowledge necessary to do research, it will provide stipends for select Ag-BOND students to conduct an undergraduate research experience.

Complete leadership training and participate in Peer Mentoring
Complete a leadership training course that will allow you to stand out as a student. Use this experience to make a difference for incoming students. Third-year students have the opportunity to serve as Instructional Assistants (IA) for AgBOND courses. This is a paid position where you can offer your support and knowledge to help other students in AgBOND. Students can also volunteer to be Peer Mentors for freshmen students in the AgBOND program.

Network with career professionals and explore mentor opportunities
Network with professionals who are in your area of interest to set up a mentorship. This opportunity will help students thrive as they enter their last year and prepare for internships and future careers.

Enroll in your capstone major courses
Enroll in your final classes that will prepare you for future internships and your career.

Obtain a USDA-specific internship
Take all of your hard work and experience and land an internship in a USDA-specific career. Meet with your Coordinator for Internships and Professional Experiences to learn more about earning course credit for your internship.  Paid internships are available with a number of USDA Agencies such as:

• Natural Resource and Soil Conservation
• Forest Service
• Farm Service Agency
• Risk Management Agency
• Economic Research Service
• Agricultural Research Service
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
• Agricultural Marketing Service
• Food and Nutrition Service
• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
• Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Foreign Agriculture Service
• National Agricultural Statistics Service
• Rural Development
• Risk Management Agency

Internships with private industry that align with food and agriculture careers might also be available. 

Cumulate your experience to identify your food and ag-focused career
Wrap up your final year with the ultimate hands-on experience and feel prepared to graduate and start your career.