Parents can play an important role in helping their students make good choices about their future. Encourage your Aggie to begin researching possible majors and careers during their Freshman year. There is more flexibility for adjustments in the degree plan and less likelihood of your student taking extra hours and extending time to graduation. There are a variety of resources on the Texas A&M campus to assist students in their research of majors and related careers.
The AggiExternship Program was created for Freshmen and Sophomores. It offers students one-day site visits to a workplace related to their major or career interest. They have the opportunity to meet with professionals and ask questions about the field.
Students have access to career information for all majors at Texas A&M at My Major on the Career Center website. The Career Resources Library, located in 209 Koldus Building, has additional materials that highlight careers by major. An information specialist is on hand to provide instructions as to how to access Internet resources and obtain free publications that provide guidance on career decision-making. Sigi3 – an interactive computer program – is a great place to begin the career exploration process.
Career Center staff are available for individual career advising with students on a walk-in or appointment basis. For assistance in scheduling a meeting with a Career Center advisor, students should contact the Career Center at 845-5139.
Student Counseling Service provides many career counseling and education services including assistance in career research and planning, individual or group counseling, testing to determine skills and interests, and career workshops and seminars. For more information, students can call (979) 845-4427.
Faculty members and academic advisors are another excellent resource for students. Many faculty have first-hand experience in business and industry and can provide valuable insights for students.
Career success also depends upon understanding the changing nature of jobs and careers. We advise students to keep up with trends and current events, both local and global, to determine which fields will demand job applicants with specific academic majors and work experiences. Finally, students should develop the habit of reading current periodicals as well as journals related to career interests to learn about career trends. The Career Center Library, Evans Library, and West Campus Library offer a wide range of media resources for students.
Discussions with faculty members, academic advisors, Career Center advisors, and Former Students in the Career Center's Aggies Helping Aggies network can provide helpful information and provide students with additional connections to industry professionals.
Students should also consider enrolling in one of the Career Awareness classes for credit through the Center for Academic Enhancement (CAEN 102).
