Brandon Botticelli Explores the Outdoors

Named Outstanding Graduate in the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Recreation Program

by PSFA News Team

May 13, 2020

​May 14, 2020

After graduating this spring, Recreation and Tourism Management major Brandon Botticelli hopes to find a job that takes him as far from an office cubicle as possible. An aspiring park ranger, Botticelli wants to work with the National Forest Service or National Park Service and do something that is good for both the public and the health of our planet.

After navigating the community college system and transferring to SDSU, Botticelli used his time as an Aztec to gain hands-on experience in his field. He spent two years interning for the County of San Diego’s Department of Parks and Recreation where he learned practical skills and developed a better understanding of the inner-workings of local government.

He admits that being successful in college wasn’t always a walk in the park. Botticelli worked hard and applied himself to his schoolwork, using in-class opportunities to strengthen his skills and even overcome his fear of public speaking.

If Botticelli could give a piece of advice to incoming freshmen, it would be this: “Take your education seriously. It is totally fine to have fun and let loose, but don’t lose sight of your true purpose when it comes to attending SDSU which is to get a degree in something you are passionate about.”

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.

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