GPI - Jared Magno, assistant director of Student Experience and Orientation
By Antonio Machado
Associate Editor
By Sarah Parron
Staff Writer
What is your professional and academic background?
I got my bachelor’s degree in education from the University of New England up in Maine. I did educational studies there and did some practicums in student activities and admissions, and then I was an RA, orientation leader, and on student government. So I was kind of the stereotypical student leader who did all of the things all the time. And that led me to pursue my master’s degree at Bowling Green State University in college student personnel, which is basically higher education administration, but it takes a little bit more of a student focus on it. So, I did student development theories and all of that sort of stuff. And while I was there, I worked in residence life as a graduate hall director. So, I was on call. I did conduct, did programming, and through my program experience at that school, I found my real passion for student activities and student events. So that led me to my first position at Assumption University as their student engagement coordinator and pub manager, where I ran the campus pub, and I helped do the hiring process, recruitment, and selection of the orientation leaders and the executive team there. I worked with a lot of organizations on their late-night programming. And then, through all of that, I realized that I wanted to spend more time doing orientation work. I saw this job, which is a lot of orientation work, which really excited me, and then that kind of cuts to me here.
What are some of the responsibilities you have in your role?
I advise the Framingham State Activities Board, FSAB, and help them do all their activities planning on the logistical back end - working with a lot of the vendors that they work with. Getting in contact with all of them. So, that's the biggest organization I advise. And then, I also oversee the recruitment and selection of the orientation team - from the leads and logistics coordinators to the orientation leaders themselves. Also, part of that is the “Taking Care of Business” sessions, so I help organize and logistically plan the sessions that happen in June and July. … I also help oversee the clubs and organizations on campus. So I think it's 12-ish organizations that I am the resource person for, helping them plan their events and do their off-campus trips and all of that stuff.
What would you say is your favorite part of your role?
The people I get to work and interact with, and help and assist through this role. Seeing all of the incoming students and their smiling faces during Orientation and “Taking Care of Business” and just seeing the energy they bring to campus is so fun and exhilarating, and it fills my professional cup. Orientation can be so tiring, but the energy I get from the incoming students just fills me with joy. I would definitely say it’s the people. The people I work with are some of the best people I've ever met. They're so fun and caring and kind and willing to help out when we ask or need it. It's the people, 100%.
What are some hobbies or things you like to do outside of your career?
I remind myself that I’m not my job. I like to talk to my friends and hang out with them. I like to swim a lot. I will go to the pool and just stare at the black line on the bottom of the pool and forget about the world for a while. I love to listen to music and read, so kind of just reminding myself that my job isn’t who I am. It’s a part of who I am, but it's not everything. I love to hang out with my friends and FaceTime them and talk on the phone for way too long, probably. I’m very much an extrovert, so whatever I can do to be in contact with the people I love is what I like to do outside of work.
What do you love about FSU beyond your job?
The people. I feel like I could have any job on this campus and the people I work with would make me love that job. The staff here are so amazing. The students are so kind. It really is the people that make me love FSU and want to continually give back to help other students feel connected and involved and welcome and want to be on campus.
Do you have any advice for FSU students?
Don’t be afraid to get a little bit outside of your comfort zone, because that's where you’re going to grow and where you might find something that you never thought you would enjoy. From my own experience, I was encouraged by my swim captain, my freshman year, to run for student government. And I was like, “I am not a student government person. I’m not loud and vocal enough. Like, I’m not a student government person.” And she encouraged me to do it anyway, and then I loved it, and that led me to where I am today. She did the same thing for me with being an orientation leader. Without her trying to push me outside of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be in the career that I am in. I would say, don’t be afraid to step a little bit outside of your comfort zone, to try something new, because you might find a new passion of yours that you didn’t even know existed before.
