Francisco Reyes, a junior studying communications with a concentration in media and film, loves to be involved in all types of activities at Kean University. He prides himself in his ability to be involved and to get others involved as well. Kean University has given him the many opportunities to strengthen and better himself.
Reyes is a part of Student Organization as the executive vice president and he is also a member of Prosper Above the Hardships (PATH) and is a sportscaster at Kean. When asked why he was interested in joining these influential organizations he explained why they were important to him.
"I just wanted to be involved, so I actually went to President Damion Wilson last year. I felt like I wasn't doing enough on campus. I didn't want to wrap up my four years of college doing nothing. I went to Student Org and became vice president, so now that's where I am at," Reyes said. "I do sports commentating and we are in the process of starting Kean TV and with Student Org, we get involved with different groups and different programs."
As the executive vice president Reyes has many responsibilities which he is always eager to take on and being in PATH allows him to be a mentor to younger students.
Reyes explained that sports commentating was less of a hobby and more of a career.
"That's why I am majoring in communication because I want to be a sports broadcaster for ESPN and I actually got my job at the end of the first semester freshman year. That's something I've always wanted to do."
Reyes recalled how he found out about both Student Organization and sports commentating and was pleased that they would consider him. He explained that without getting out of his comfort zone and branching out, he probably would not have known or wanted to be the executive vice president.
"I contacted Damion and then I applied and went through the whole process and with sports commentating, it was through a networking program. I met someone there who was a senior who was commentating and helped to figure out what I wanted to do. He actually got me to meet our boss. I applied and I have been doing that for a year."
Reyes felt very strong about his goals for both Student Organization and sports commentating to guide the Kean community.
"Honestly for me, coming out of high school, I was a lazy person. I wasn't who I am now, so I didn't get many opportunities, and I also wanted to get around a different environment."
College is a time where students can benefit themselves and Reyes has made sure that everything he has learned or been a part of he will be able to take with him in his future endeavors.
Reyes admits that having all these activities on his agenda can make his academic life harder but he has learned to adjust and to balance his life at Kean.
"It's a lot, but I just take it all at once and try to prepare myself as much as possible. I try to organize everything and make sure nothing conflicts with each other. The biggest thing is just time management, knowing what I have to do and embracing myself also. If I'm having a busy day I have to mentally prepare myself and tell myself I can do it because sometimes it becomes a lot."
Considering that he has many responsibilities Reyes has agreed that his duties for Student organization and sports commentating work together.
"Some people might think it's two different things but it's not because when you see those companies; they want to see if you're able to take on many roles. At the end of the day, communication is talking so with my position I have to meet and talk with a lot of people. I oversee a lot of things, so it shows a responsibility, the ability to communicate with others and the same tangibles and other career requirements," Reyes explained. "Sports commentating, we commentate on sports but Student Org is more detailed for my position specifically I point students to committees for the university. I help with student representatives and aspects. I oversee all the class presidents to make sure their programs are running accordingly and developing."
Before he graduates Reyes would like to accomplish many things such as staying involved and doing big things.
"My Kean TV flyers are everywhere on the fourth floor of CAS, so when people see them they ask me, 'What's that?' It's nothing too big yet, but every time people find out, they're like 'Wow it's cool.' My professor for TV production is Gina Gili, and she has helped a lot with Kean TV. And with Student Org, people refer to me as VP and it's pretty cool."
He also spoke of his dream career and how he hopes everything he is accomplishing now will be beneficial.
"For my field, it's not really necessary to go to graduate school, so honestly, it depends on whether or not I get internships or make those connections before and after graduation. At this point, I'm kind of undecided on that, but I do want to become a sports broadcaster. That's what I've wanted to do for a long time."
Being a part of an organization that is for the people, Reyes has been able to help a lot of people, but Reyes would still like to leave students with words of advice.
"A lot of kids that go here sometimes think there's nothing to do on this campus but you make the effort to try to find things to do. There's so many things for so many different people because at the end of the day, you're resume for a job shows a lot. Being involved and helping others is a great thing to show a potential employer."
Reyes last words of wisdom: Don't fall into negative energy.
