How Tarleton State Helped Shape My Purpose:
11 Things I’d Tell Every College Student
Meet Tyler Schuster: Tarleton State Alumnus and Higher Education Leader
From Student Body President to Higher Education Fundraiser
My name is Tyler K. Schuster, and I am incredibly proud to be a Tarleton State Texan.
I graduated from Tarleton State University in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services and Development. During my time at Tarleton State, I had the honor of serving as Student Body President from 2019–2020. It was a year I will never forget, as I had the opportunity to help lead the student body through the selection of Dr. James Hurley as university president and Tarleton State’s transition to NCAA Division I athletics. It was, without a doubt, one of the most chaotic, exciting, and fun years of my life.
After graduating from Tarleton State, I went on to earn a Master of Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University. Today, I work in higher education as a fundraiser, helping connect people with the causes and passions that inspire them to give back to their university.
“It was, without a doubt, one of the most chaotic, exciting, and fun years of my life.”
Building Purpose Through Leadership, Service, and Entrepreneurship
Beyond my work in higher education, I am the founder and host of the Basically Famous Podcast, as well as the Founder and President of Brands & Blazers Inc., a nonprofit that provides blazers and sports coats to students in need. I also share my story, experience, and talents through social media, public speaking, and consulting.
At the heart of everything I do is a passion for connecting people with their purpose and passions, creating opportunities for others, and advocating for the agriculture industry. Whether I am working with a donor, encouraging a student, speaking to a room full of professionals, or supporting the next generation through Brands & Blazers, I believe in the power of helping people see what is possible and giving them the confidence to pursue it.
“At the heart of everything I do is a passion for connecting people with their purpose and passions, creating opportunities for others, and advocating for the agriculture industry.”
11 Things I’d Tell Every College Student
College was some of the most fun and transformative years of my life.
And now, each week, I find myself sitting in my office or on Zoom calls with students who feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of what comes next.
And honestly? I get it.
I felt the same way.
When you’re in college, it can feel like everyone around you has a plan. Someone has already landed the internship. Someone knows exactly what career they want. Someone has their five-year plan mapped out.
Meanwhile, you’re just trying to figure out what you’re having for dinner.
As school gets back in session, I wanted to share some advice I wish every college student could hear, not because I had it all figured out, but because I absolutely did not.
1. No one knows what they’re doing. Like, actually.
I mean this.
I didn’t know either of the jobs I had existed until I had them.
There are careers, opportunities, organizations, and paths you don’t even know exist yet. So don’t put pressure on yourself to have your entire career mapped out at 19, 20, or 21.
You’re going to learn about opportunities as you go.
2. Internships are great, but they aren’t make-or-break.
Internships are valuable. They can help you gain experience, build your network, and figure out what you like or, sometimes more importantly, what you don’t like.
But please stop stressing yourself out because you haven’t completed 10 internships.
I had one internship in undergrad.
And guess what? I turned out just fine.
Experience can come in a lot of different forms. Jobs, student organizations, volunteering, campus leadership, research, projects, part-time work, and simply getting involved can all teach you valuable skills.
3. Go to class. No, seriously. Go.
Show up.
Show up early. Put your phone away. Listen. Participate.
You are paying a lot of money to be there, so take advantage of the opportunity to actually learn.
And while you’re there, remember that your professors are people, too. They have experiences, connections, and knowledge that can help you far beyond the classroom.
Which brings me to my next point…
4. Meet your professors.
Go to office hours at least once.
Introduce yourself. Ask a question. Tell them what you’re interested in.
You don’t have to become best friends with every professor you have, but make an effort to let them know who you are and let them get to know you.
You never know when a professor might recommend you for an opportunity, connect you with someone, write you a recommendation, or simply become someone you can turn to for advice.
5. Network with your peers.
Your classmates are more important to your future than you might realize.
The people sitting next to you today could become your future coworkers, clients, business partners, mentors, or friends.
Build relationships.
Don’t just think about networking as meeting the CEO or the keynote speaker. Your peers are your network, too.
6. Get the phone number of the person to your left AND right.
Seriously.
Do this in every class.
You never know when you’re going to wake up sick and need notes. Or have a question about an assignment. Or miss class because of an emergency.
And one day, you might be the person someone else needs help from.
It’s a simple thing, but it’s an easy way to start building relationships with the people around you.
7. Put some effort into your appearance.
I’m not saying you need to dress professionally every single day.
I am saying you never know who will show up.
Maybe there’s a guest lecturer. Maybe a potential employer is speaking at an event. Maybe you meet an alum walking across campus. Maybe the person sitting next to you becomes your future boss.
You don’t have to wear a blazer to class every day, but learn how to present yourself professionally and understand when it matters.
First impressions still matter.
8. Your GPA is not your entire identity.
Study hard. Take your classes seriously. Do your best.
But also go sing karaoke every once in a while.
Go to the football game. Grab dinner with your friends. Go to the event you almost skipped. Make memories.
No one is going to walk into your office years from now and ask what your GPA was before deciding whether you’re a good person to work with.
Your education matters, but college is about more than a transcript.
9. Clean up your social media.
This one is simple.
Google yourself. Look at your Instagram. Look at your TikTok. Look at your LinkedIn.
Would you be comfortable with a future employer, client, professor, or professional connection seeing what you’ve posted?
Future employers and professional connections can and will look you up.
Your social media is part of your personal brand, whether you realize it or not.
10. Say yes to opportunities.
Study abroad.
Join at least one student organization.
Go to the event.
Attend the networking reception.
Volunteer.
Apply for the thing you think you probably won’t get.
When someone invites you to do something that sounds interesting, go. Some of the best opportunities in my life came from simply saying yes before I knew exactly where the opportunity would lead.
11. Life is about figuring it out.
This might be the most important one.
Stop telling yourself you have to know everything today.
You don’t.
Your major might change. Your career might change. Your goals might change. You might discover something you never knew existed and completely change direction.
That’s okay.
You are allowed to figure it out as you go.
You are not behind.
You are not supposed to have everything figured out.
Go to class. Meet people. Try things. Make mistakes. Ask questions. Say yes. Have fun.
And trust that you’ll figure it out along the way. Because I did.
Advice for Current Tarleton State Students
Tarleton State is a great place, and your time there truly is what you make it. Get involved, say yes to new experiences, make memories, and most importantly, have fun. Enjoy every second of it, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it goes by.
I am incredibly thankful for my time at Tarleton and, more than anything, for the people it brought into my life. The experiences, friendships, mentors, and opportunities I found there helped shape who I am today, and I will always be proud to call myself a Tarleton Texan.
Stay Connected With Tarleton State Alumnus Tyler Schuster
Follow along anytime. @tylerkschuster @basicallyfamouspodcast @brandsandblazersinc