Engineering: Graduates fuel forward-thinking workforce

By Victoria Cisneros (’19, ’21)

Illustrations by Joel Beery (’08)

Fresno State engineering graduates have gone on to lead some of the world’s most iconic technological developments – including the B1-B bomber, deployed during the Cold War, and Bluetooth, the wireless data technology still widely used today.

With an average of 300 engineering graduates per year, many of whom remain in the Valley to live, work and serve, the Lyles College of Engineering at Fresno State educates the region’s workforce. Most recently, alumni have played significant roles in regional projects like the California High Speed Rail and technologies that support agricultural operations and local infrastructure.

California is home to the largest number of engineers in the country, employing over 27,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to preparing the next generation of California engineers, especially in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno State is at the forefront.

Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering is the Valley’s oldest publicly-supported engineering college with 100 years of innovation and nearly 10,000 alumni. Since its beginning, the Lyles College has expanded its degree offerings to include seven undergraduate and five graduate programs ranging from architectural studies and construction management to civil, electrical, computer, mechanical and geomatics engineering. In 1979, the college’s geomatics program became the first of its kind in the United States and continues to be the only four-year, nationally-accredited program in California.

“Engineers solve complex societal problems, and they need an educational foundation that prepares them [for success,]” says Dr. Ram Nunna, dean of the Lyles College. [The Lyles College] has allowed students from this region, especially those who are first generation or underrepresented in the engineering professions, to attain a quality degree.”

With such an influential impact on the industry and region, the college places particular emphasis on ensuring students’ educational experience directly aligns with employer needs and promotes career readiness.

Since 1999, Fresno State engineering students have been gaining unique, hands-on learning experiences in a real-world environment through the Valley Industry Partnership for Cooperative Education — a formalized paid internship program that connects students with industry partners throughout the Valley.

For many students, the opportunity to complete two paid internships through the program is invaluable and allows them to enter the job market with one full year of work experience in their chosen field. For recent computer engineering alum Jose Manuel Maciel Torres, the chance to build his resume and develop industry-level skills was instrumental to his success.

“The most valuable thing you can get out of the VIP program is…getting to work with others on an actual engineering project in the actual industry… You get to take on problems and be creative on how you find that solution,” Torres says.

Such programs not only offer students opportunities to gain technical skills, they also provide opportunities to strengthen valuable soft skills such as communication, time management and critical thinking, making Lyles College students exceptionally attractive to employers. According to recent data, over 60% of students surveyed were offered full-time employment as a result of an internship with over 90% of students securing employment in California.

After completing the program, Torres’ internship with Cruise, a California-based, self-driving vehicle manufacturer, led to his full-time job with the company as a systems engineer.

“I got into engineering because I want to make a difference, and with Cruise, we’re saving lives by eliminating the human error that leads to most accidents,” Torres says.

“So, being part of that makes me feel fulfilled and kind of astonished at where we are in terms of technology.”

At Fresno State, nearly 66% of students are the first in their families to graduate with a college degree and nearly 90% are from the San Joaquin Valley. With deep Valley roots and a desire to serve their communities, an average of nearly 1,600 Fresno State students enroll in engineering majors each year. As graduates, students are propelled to job placements in construction, project management, software development, transportation, research and more, offering them and their families a unique opportunity for upward mobility. In Fresno County, engineers see an annual average salary of $104,720.

In the coming years, the Lyles College aims to grow its student population by almost 40%, empowering even more students to leave their mark on the industry and uplift the quality of life in our region and beyond.

– Victoria Cisneros is a marketing strategist in Brand Strategy and Marketing at Fresno State.

Can you imagine the Valley without Fresno State?

Neither can we. And that’s why, with continued support from alumni and the community, Fresno State is committed to educating and enhancing support for the engineers who will drive the innovation and modern infrastructure necessary to help our communities thrive.