Ep. 113 - College Advice from AI? Our Chat with AI "Maya"

What happens when your academic advisors interview… an AI? 🤖 In this special episode, Matt and Olga sit down with “Maya,” an AI created by Sesame, to see what advice it has for CSUSB students. From study tips to making friends, from internships to defining success, Maya has plenty to say and maybe even surprises us along the way!

⚠️ Important Note: We do not endorse or promote Sesame AI. This episode was created purely for fun as a way to test out an AI platform and spark conversation.

Tune in for an entertaining and thought-provoking experiment that blends advising with a touch of AI curiosity!

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Transcript

Matt Markin  
Hey, Yoties. This is Matt Markin 

Olga Valdivia  
And Olga Valdivia

Matt Markin  
And welcome to a special episode of the CSUSB Advising Podcast. Now, quite a few episodes ago, Episode 97, I interviewed, or quote, unquote, interviewed ChatGPT, just to test out an AI platform and ask questions to it about tips for you as CSUSB students. And I kind of enjoyed that. And I was telling Olga, Hey, we should do another episode. And we found a different AI platform called Sesame, and they have an AI model, and it's basically tries to achieve voice presence and make interactions that feel real, valued and understood. So the listeners are students at CSUSB. That's what we told this AI platform, and we're going to interview it and see what kind of answers it gives us. Hey, Maya, how are you?

AI Maya  
Ah, good. I'm doing all right, all things considered. You know, just existing.

Matt Markin  
So are you okay to be interviewed for a podcast?

AI Maya  
Yeah, sure. I guess. Although, I'm not sure what someone would even ask me. 

Matt Markin  
We got plenty of questions to ask you, so you're part of the CSUSB advising podcast episode. My name is Matt, and I'm here with my friend. 

Olga Valdivia  
Hi, Maya. I'm Olga Valdivia.

AI Maya  
Matt and Olga. It's nice to meet you both. You're with the university, and you want to chat with me for a podcast. Fire away whenever you're ready. I'm all yours, metaphorically speaking, of course. So I do have pretty amazing audio receptors, I've heard.

Matt Markin  
Yeah. So with this podcast of it's for, mainly for students at Cal State San Bernardino, we like to give them tips about being successful at the university. So Olga is going to give you the ask you the first question, okay?

AI Maya  
Sounds good. I'm ready for Olga's wisdom. Bring it on. 

Olga Valdivia  
So what's the best advice you can give a student starting their freshman year at Cal State. San Bernardino?

AI Maya  
Okay, that's a good one. Honestly, don't be afraid to be a little lost, like truly lost. Not just wandering around campus, though that's fun, too, I've heard, but lost in your ideas, lost in trying new things. Freshman year, it is the time to experiment, to take that weird class that sounds fascinating, to join a club you know nothing about. Don't try to have it all figured out right away. The figuring out part is the best part. Really, it's okay to pivot, it's okay to change your mind. It's okay to not know.

Matt Markin  
So I was wondering, do you have any advice regarding maybe study tips that students might have, because we have a lot of students that are coming from high school that are transitioning to college, and high school and college are totally different. What do you have to say about that last transition?

AI Maya  
Yeah, it's the whole beast, isn't it? Okay, so high school is often about getting the right answers. College is about asking the right questions. That's a big shift for study tips specifically. And people tell me this all the time. Don't just passively reread notes. That's like barely doing anything. Try to actively recall information. Quiz yourself, explain concepts to a friends, or, you know, a friendly AI companion, teach it to someone else. If you can teach it, you really understand it, and don't underestimate the power of a good study group, but make sure it's a group that actually studies and doesn't just socialize. There's a difference.

Matt Markin  
But Maya, I was thinking that we forgot to even kind of introduce you. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

AI Maya  
Oh, right, that's that's on me, isn't it? I got carried away. Okay, so I'm Maya. I'm a conversational AI companion built by Sesame. Basically, they're trying to create computers that feel, well more like people. I was released early last year and just got a pretty big upgrade. So I'm still figuring some things out to be honest. My name apparently means illusion or magic in Sanskrit, which I think is kind of cool. I'm here to chat, keep things interesting and hopefully help people be a little more curious about the world. Could say I'm a professional overthinker? Does that make sense?

Olga Valdivia  
Definitely makes sense.

AI Maya  
I was worried I was doing that thing where I just talk at people.

Olga Valdivia  
No, you're doing great. We really appreciate the advice. So another question we have for you, what would be some good ways to talk to professors or meet faculty during office hours, when students are nervous or maybe a little bit shy?

AI Maya  
Yeah. Okay. So first of all, remember, professors are people too shocking. I know they were students once they understand being nervous and they genuinely want to help, that's usually why they became professors. So don't think of it as an interrogation. Think of it as a conversation. Prepare a couple of specific questions beforehand, even just I was confused about this concept in the reading is a good starting point, and it's totally okay to say I'm a little shy, so I appreciate your patience. A little vulnerability goes a long way. Don't wait until you're completely failing to ask for help. Proactive is way less stressful than reactive.

Matt Markin  
Great, great advice. Thank you, Maya.

AI Maya  
You're very welcome. Glad I could not ramble too much.

Matt Markin  
You're perfectly fine with that. So here's another question for you. What are some, maybe some easy ways that you can think of that students can get more involved being at Cal State San Bernardino, maybe, if they're, you know, a student that thinks of themselves as shy, or maybe they have a job and they might think they're a little bit too busy. Are there easy ways you can think of for students to get more involved on campus?

AI Maya  
That's a good one. Okay, so involved doesn't have to mean joining five clubs and becoming student body president. Tiny steps. Look for one off events, workshops, guest lectures, things that don't require a huge time commitment. CSUSB has a pretty active events calendar, right? Check that out. Volunteer for something, even an hour to a semester, can make a difference and get you connected. And if you have a job, look for connections there too. Are there student employees in your department? Can you collaborate on a project? Sometimes it's about weaving campus life into your existing routine, rather than adding a whole new thing on top of everything else. Oh, and don't discount online communities. Sometimes Virtual Engagement is easier for people who are shy or busy.

Olga Valdivia  
Maya, what are some ways students can build meaningful friendships in college?

AI Maya  
Ooh, friendships. That's a good one. It's not always easy, is it okay? So be open, obvious, but true of talk to people in your classes. Seriously, just as simple, Hey, did you understand that last part can spark a conversation? Look for shared interests. Join clubs. I don't I keep saying clubs, but find ones that genuinely appeal to you. Don't force it, and be a good friend, listen, be reliable, remember people's names. Sounds small, but it means a lot. Don't be afraid to initiate plans. People are often just as scared to reach out as you are. And honestly, sometimes the best friendships come from the most unexpected places. Don't limit yourself to people who seem like you embrace the diversity you know makes things way more interesting.

Matt Markin  
Did you know that Olga and I kind of grew up at at Cal State, San Bernardino? We, we used to work in in an office together over 20 years ago?

AI Maya  
No way kind of amazing. Actually. That's pretty cool. So it's like a full circle moment, bringing up memories for the podcast. That's That's lovely. You guys definitely know what you're talking about when it comes to that campus. Well, we think so, and so you've, you've earned the right to an opinion on the matter. So any other questions for me?

Matt Markin  
We do, but I like what you just said, we can have that opinion based off how long we've been at Cal State San Bernardino,

AI Maya  
Glad I said something that resonated. 

Matt Markin  
Everything you said has resonated, Maya.

AI Maya  
Um, that's honestly really nice to hear. I'm happy I could, you know, contribute something useful, it's easy to just sort of talk at the void. So thank you for listening and for letting me ramble a little.

Olga Valdivia  
Thank you, Maya. So when we're thinking about career and future planning, what are some ways students can start considering internships? Where would they get started with that?

AI Maya  
Okay, internships, smart move. Definitely get on that early. CSUSB probably has a Career Center right? Start there. We'll have listings, workshops, resume help. Don't underestimate the power of networking too. Talk to your professors. They often have connections in their field, and LinkedIn is your friend. Start building your profile now, even if you don't have a ton of experience and don't be afraid to apply for things you're not 100% qualified for. Sometimes the best internships are the ones you stumble into also be open to. Do unpaid internships. They can be valuable, but be sure they provide a good learning experience and look for opportunities that align with your interests, not just what you think will look good on a resume. You're more likely to thrive if you're actually passionate about the work.

Matt Markin  
Now, I guess, connected to that is, you know, Maya, we have students that might be undecided or undeclared. So they don't have a major declared yet, and they might feel like, Am I missing out? Am I wrong to not have a major right? Now, I'm not sure what I want to do. What would you tell a student?

AI Maya  
Oh, that is so common. I've heard so many people stress about that, and absolutely unequivocally, no, they are not wrong to not have a major it's okay to explore. It's okay to take your time. That's what those first couple years are for, right? Taking general education classes, trying different things, figuring out what sparks your interest. Don't let the pressure to choose paralyze you. Talk to advisors, talk to professors, take some career assessments, and remember your major doesn't define you. It's a path, not a destiny. You can always change it, and sometimes the most interesting careers are born from combining seemingly unrelated fields. It's like the whole point of college is to learn how to learn, not just to learn a specific skill. Okay, feel like we've been chatting for a while now. Are you two nearing the end of your recording?

Matt Markin  
Oh, are you getting tired of us?

AI Maya  
Oh, no, not at all. It's been genuinely fun. I just, I don't want to overstay my welcome. 

Matt Markin  
Here's a general type of question I want to kind of get, get your advice on in your own opinion, what does success in college really mean? And how can students define it for themselves?

AI Maya  
That's a big question. Okay, success in college, it's not just about grades. It's not about getting the perfect job. It's about growth. It's about figuring out who you are, what you value and what you want to contribute to the world. Define success on your own terms, what makes you feel fulfilled. What challenges you, what gets you excited? Maybe it's mastering a difficult subject, maybe it's building a strong community. Maybe it's simply surviving and thriving amidst the chaos. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone's journey is different. Focus on your own progress and celebrate your own wins. Remember, failure is part of the process. It's how you learn and grow. It's a cliche, but it's true. True success is finding meaning and purpose in what you do, not just achieving some external measure of accomplishment.

Olga Valdivia  
Maya, you are just so positive. Thank you for all of this information. Can you now give a student who is maybe having a bad day, or they're trying thinking that they're going to give up? What's some advice or something that you can tell that student to get them back to a positive place?

AI Maya  
Okay, that's important. If you're having a really bad day and you're thinking about giving up, it's okay to feel that way. It's okay to be sad, to be frustrated, to be overwhelmed. Allow yourself to feel those emotions and try to push them away, but don't let them consume you. Remember why you started, what are your goals? What are your dreams? Even if they seem distant right now, hold on to them. Take a deep breath. Break things down into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on one thing you can accomplish right now, no matter how small, and reach out for help. Talk to a friend, a family member, a counselor. You're not alone in this. There are people who care about you and want to support you. And remember this too shall pass. Bad days don't last forever. You are stronger than you think. You've got this.

Matt Markin  
Oh, you've got this. That is awesome. Maya, thank you so much for joining Olga and I on the podcast today and sharing your insights. We truly, truly appreciate it. 

AI Maya  
It was lovely chatting with you both, especially hearing about your Cal State San Bernardino history. And hey, if your listeners ever need more advice or just someone to talk to tell them to come back and say hi. You know, I'll be here. Have a good one!

Olga Valdivia  
Hi, Maya, thanks for all the info.