Meeting professionals and building connections can be a tough thing for students to do, but the Fresno State Recreation Association will be hosting their first networking gala on April 26 to help students do just that. The gala’s goal is to help students and local recreation professionals network and build relationships for future opportunities.

“Professionals at the event will be from the recreational field,” said Tesia Vang, a Fresno State student and secretary of the Recreation Association.

Representatives from various organizations, including REI, the Boys and Girls Club, China Peak and California Parks and Recreation Society have all confirmed that they will be attending the gala.

Students who attend will be able to talk with the professionals and discuss possible internship and job opportunities, as well as get advice on how to break into the recreation field.

Potential jobs in the recreation field include supervisors and directors for non-profit organizations, camp directors and national park supervisors.

Recreation students are not the only ones who can benefit from attending the event.

“The event is geared towards all students,” Vang said. “We’d love for non-recreation majors to come. The community is welcome to come to the event as well.”

The event took five months to plan­ and to ensure the night goes smoothly.

“This is the first year that we’re holding this event,” said Jenna Smith, a recreation student and president of the Recreation Association. “We’re hoping to create a legacy so the event can continue to offer more opportunities for recreation students in the future.”

The event, which is themed “California Dreaming,” will feature a dinner, raffle and silent auction.­ Raffle items include a rafting trip with Kings River Expeditions and a ride in a hot air balloon. Organizations such as REI, China Peak and San Francisco’s Ripley’s Believe it or Not have contributed items to auction at the networking gala as well.

“We’ve raised over $4,000 in items to auction,” said Joel August, a Fresno State student and events chair of the Recreation Association.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Fresno State Recreation Association.­ The association works towards aiding recreation students via professional development, events and fundraisers.­ The association hopes to use funds raised at the gala to refurbish the ropes course on campus, located behind the University Dining Hall.

“I first heard about the event on Facebook,” Fresno State psychology student Jazmynn Escovedo said. “Even though I’m not a recreation major, it still seems like it would be a great event.”

Escovedo said the auction items are what initially caught her attention.

“It’s great that they found things to auction off that I’d actually bid on,” Escovedo said.

The gala will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center, which is located in west Fresno and tickets can be purchased in the recreation administration office on campus.­ The Fresno State Recreation Association Facebook page also lists more information on the event.