CIM Student Profile

German Fuentes

School: California State University, Chico

Class: Incoming Junior

Hometown: Lake Elsinore, CA

Expected Date of Graduation: May 2018

“CIM has been one of the best decisions that I have made. I have learned to grow from this program and found a passion for a career. The CIM family (faculty, classmates and friends) that one builds in this program is something that I will treasure.”

What made you decide to join the CIM program?
Coming into college I had my mind set on becoming a registered nurse, which I found out did not suit me at the end of my freshman year. Working in construction with my old man my whole life, I found that I had a liking for what I did. Coming into my sophomore year I had looked into other majors before deciding to go with the CIM program. I saw that the other programs did not offer the type of environment, interesting selection of courses and the many opportunities upon graduation that CIM offers.

The CIM program works with businesses in providing summer internships. Have you been able to take advantage of this program or any other special program to develop your industry knowledge?
I was fortunate enough to intern with Holliday Rock Co. Inc. this past summer. I spent time in many different departments with a focus on learning how processes work to provide Holiday Rock’s customers a high level of customer service. I worked in the quality control lab testing and designing mixes, dispatching, taking customer orders, outside sales in building relationships with the top buy customers and, most importantly, learning how the plants operate.

How has CIM prepared you for working in the concrete industry?
The CIM program offers many opportunities for internships and community service opportunities to build and learn. The internships that the patrons of the program provide are also great for the students because we are able to experience and learn what happens in the field and inside the office.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the CIM program?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. The name of the major might not seem as appealing, but it is possibly one of the best majors and most enjoyable that one would ever join. Also, get involved in the activities because it is a great way to build relationships with people in the program. You see these people in all your classes and can help one another with classes that you are currently in, or classes that either of you had in the past.

What is something you’ve learned from the program that will stick with you long after you’ve graduated?
I have learned to keep your contacts/friends close even after you graduate because sooner or later you could run into them in a meeting or simply need a connection for a product that they might offer.