It's no secret around this town that our university is deemed "the school to booze" here in California. Back in 1987, Playboy dubbed California State University Chico the No. 1 Party School in the Nation for its outrageous parties, cheap booze and crazy traditions. These days, its students have been both trying to keep that reputation as well as tarnish it (depending on who you ask).

CSU, Chico, commonly called Chico State by locals, is now among the top colleges in the California State University system. According to U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges, Chico State is ranked 35 in its Regional West rankings, and fourth highest in the CSU system. So why do I still have people snicker at me about my choice to come here? Because reputation is everything.

However, something many people do not understand is that Chico's social and community-oriented environment is actually a breeding ground for the Forbes top four most sought-after skills by employers.

1. Ability to work in a team

One of the biggest advantages of attending Chico State is the availability of campus programs and organizations. Chico is home to more than 240 student-run organizations and one of the largest volunteer programs in the country, Community Action Volunteers in Education, also known as CAVE. CAVE offers a variety of programs for students to get involved, including volunteer opportunities with animal shelters, retirement centers, and elementary school classes. In these programs, students receive college credit and work experience for working with a team of more than 100 students. More than 2,000 students volunteer with CAVE each year, and according to the Student Life & Leadership Office, just over half of Chico State students are involved in on-campus organizations in one way or another. These are just some of the opportunities Chico State students have to engage and work with others in the community, and that isn't including the majors themselves.

2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems

This skill comes with adulthood; anyone will tell you that. From personal experience, I can say that making the decision to attend this university in the first place was really difficult because of its intimidating reputation and the fear of it being "too easy." However, I was wrong. The academic programs that Chico State offers are anything but easy. Chico State faculty do not allow their students to slide right through to graduation. Our faculty test you. They challenge you, throw curve balls at you, and test you in real-world situations that many would (and do) cringe at. Problem-solving is not a skill Chico State students lack, simply because the environment challenges students to be adults and make mature decisions. But the faculty takes every chance they get to prepare their students for the "real world," and they do it very well.

3. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work

Like I said, Chico is "the school to booze" in California. Alcohol is such a huge part of our campus culture that when Snapchat initially released the Chico State geofilter, there was a red Solo cup in the design. We love to party, but that doesn't mean we don't work. We make it work. This skill is by far one of the most crucial skills to learn if you want to be the classic Chico student. The quote, "Work hard, play harder," should be inscribed as our motto, and many employers are probably cautious of if not intimidated by our culture.

But we own it. Our students have to prioritize in order to succeed and to attend the university. In order to graduate, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA -- no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I can attest that I have met some of the most impressive multitaskers at Chico State -- students who are in intense majors, take 18 units, are involved in student organizations or Greek life, receive a 3.8 G.P.A., and still make it to all the bars regularly for a different special. We own it, and if we don't, we fail. And that's not an option.

4. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization

"The art of communication is the language of leadership."

Coming from someone who attended another university first and visited many others before finding my "home away from home" here at Chico State, I can tell you that Chico students are some of the most social and friendly people I have ever met. The community is very tight-knit. I cannot walk through campus without seeing at least four people I know, and I have only been attending since last fall. Asking a Chico State student if they can communicate is like asking the Pope if he prays every day -- it's a given. We live off of social interaction, and we crave communication. Most importantly, we know the importance of networking, and guess what? We own that too.

So, I just have one message to send out to the working world.

Dear Future Employer,

I am a Wildcat, and I will surprise you. Hire me, I dare you.