By Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. 鈥� Student Maria Fernanda Vargas discovered her future career almost by accident after attending Washington State University Tri-Cities while still in high school.

Maria Fernanda Vargas (center) celebrates while playing a game as part of a World Fair offered by student clubs at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

As a senior high school student in the running start program, Vargas was initially interested in nursing, but after performing an internship in the medical field and working in the GEAR UP program and as a student ambassador at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she realized her true calling lie in helping students achieve their full potential.

鈥淲orking with GEAR UP, I was able to assist seniors in high school with their college and financial aid applications. I also gave a few presentations providing more information on important deadlines and scholarships available.鈥� She said. 鈥淚 realized I love working with students.鈥�

As the first in her family to attend college, Vargas said she had a lot of questions about the college process and procedures where her parents weren鈥檛 able to help as much because they hadn鈥檛 been through it, themselves.

But through the acceptance, help and support that she experienced as a student at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she was able to navigate the process successfully.

鈥淥ne day I hope to give back and make a difference for our future generations,鈥� she said.

As an education student, Vargas said she learned from professors who really take an interest in their students, working with them to make sure they are successful. The opportunities for networking at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she said, have also been huge.

鈥淭hrough events like our Etiquette Dinner, where students get to interact with prospective employers, and the career fair, where you can meet a lot of people from out in the community 鈥� those events are great for networking,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd the staff and professors here on campus are also great with connecting students to individuals out in the industry and are always willing to help.鈥�

Maria Fernanda Vargas (right) talks with students and staff about international programming during a Preview Day for prospective students at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

While Vargas is still young in her education program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, she said she looks forward to the practicum experiences that she will gain through the program. Through the experiences, Vargas will have the opportunity to work out in local school districts to receive real-world opportunities in the classroom.

In addition to her studies, Vargas also works in the admissions office as a student ambassador and serves as part of the MEChA Club and the Compass Christian Club. She is also a member of the TRIO program, which provides academic and social support for students who are first-generation, economically disadvantaged or have a documented disability.

Her involvement in various student and campus-led initiatives and programs, she said, has made for a wonderfully well-rounded student experience.

鈥淚 love it here and if I had a chance to pick a college again, I would make the same choice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel like we have every resource available for every single student to be successful here at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.鈥�

After graduating the year after next, Vargas hopes to work for the Pasco School District, which is where she grew up going to school. She aims to become a math teacher working with middle school students or with second-grade students – possibly in a bilingual program.

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Ryan Wagstaff struggled to find his path in high school.

He felt ahead of his fellow classmates mentally and intellectually and was ready for an academic experience that was more challenging.

鈥淚 wanted to get more involved and wanted more opportunities to network and meet new people,鈥� he said.

As a high school sophomore, one of his friends mentioned running start as an option. Shortly after, he found out about the program at Washington State University Tri-Cities, which welcomes high school juniors and seniors to take university courses at no cost.

鈥淚 found it put me at ease,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t has been a really good fit for me. I鈥檝e gotten a lot more involved, I鈥檝e taken on leadership roles and I鈥檝e put my best foot forward as a future professional.鈥�

Wagstaff, now a high school senior and in his second year of the running start program at 黑料社 Tri-Cities, is well on his way of pursuing a degree in psychology. He takes on a full course-load while working as the student manager of the campus鈥� Hospitality Caf茅, in addition to leading up other developments around campus.

Wagstaff and classmates Yesenia Alcaraz and Madison Stredwick founded the Queer and Allies Club, which provides resources and support for those who associate with and support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He is also a member of the psychology club on campus, which provides resources for students based in psychological methods, as well as networking connections and resources for students studying psychology. Additionally, Wagstaff has spoken as part of several student panels for various events, as well as serving as one of the speakers for the running start program鈥檚 one-year anniversary at 黑料社 Tri-Cities last year.

鈥淚t has been a great platform to really develop myself as a professional,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing a running start student, at first you have this perception that people will treat you differently as a high school student, but no one really knows that. I鈥檝e had a really great experience with the program.鈥�

Wagstaff said the professors take the time to get to know their students and provide every resource they can for ensuring students are successful and that they have every opportunity to develop their leadership potential.

鈥淭he people here are like my number one thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he professors are all kind and accepting people. Working at the caf茅, I have the flexibility and affordability to interact with my classmates and professors here on campus while on the job. I also get to go to all these cool events, meet new people and generally grow as a person in a mature environment.鈥�

Wagstaff said the program, however, has rigorous standards that interested students must take into account. He said the program is geared towards students who are college-ready, with the academic and social skills to keep up with the rigorous college lifestyle.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a step up from regular high school classes, for sure,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 recommend it for students who are diligent, prepared and are performing at least a 3.5 grade-point average in high school.鈥�

Looking toward the future, Wagstaff said he has already applied to 黑料社 Tri-Cities as a possible choice for the remainder of his bachelor鈥檚 degree. His ultimate goal, he said, is to become a psychiatrist so that he can help a wide variety of people through medicine.

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This event is located in CIC 216,210,212,214

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