Karla Taveras Guerra ‘23 spent her first year as a Falcon at home, learning remotely as the pandemic hindered in-person learning for a generation.
When she got to campus as a sophomore, she dug in and never stopped moving. She was active in the Latin American Student Organization, and worked an on-campus job in the Career Services and Advising Center. Always eager to pursue opportunities to learn and grow, Taveras found she had taken so many classes she completed her degree a full year ahead of schedule.
Her academic work included two credit-bearing study abroad trips, including coursework in Italy and Western Europe.
“The Heart of Europe trip was very special, dear to my heart,” Taveras said. “There’s so much history.”
And she’s not done learning. “I have so much more to explore,” she said. “The more you travel, the better the human being you become. And once you do it, you’ll want to do it more. I’m a global citizen myself, and I think it’s always good to remind yourself of that. That’s why I encourage people to travel.”
She secured a graphic design and marketing internship this summer with Fablevision, founded by Fitchburg State graduate Peter H. Reynolds ‘83, the best-selling author and illustrator of The Dot (which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year). She worked closely with other Fitchburg State graduates who have made careers at Fablevision.
Her own tasks included redesigning the study guides given to teachers using The Dot in their classrooms. “The company’s mission is all about applying creativity to your daily activities,” Taveras said. “It felt like I was doing something for the greater good of society.”
Taveras recently started her first full-time professional job, working with EF Education First, which creates study abroad opportunities for colleges and universities. It was a logical spot for her to land, given her continued global interests.
“I think this will be a great balance of my love for traveling and passion for design,” she said. “Within communications and graphic design, you can do a lot, and I’m still figuring it out. I’m very grateful for the opportunities I had at Fitchburg State, and what I’m doing now. Every day I want to try something new.”