As an Aggie engineer, it is easy to get caught up in your major and devote your all to classes, failing to realize the numerous opportunities A&M gives. One of the most important ones is having Mays Business School down the road. They actively try to bridge the gap between engineering and business to develop engineers and elevate their classroom learnings.
Programs like these have allowed me to not only take a break from engineering, but to take what I am learning into different settings
These are some of the programs and opportunities through the business school that have either impacted me or some of my friends:
Business Minor
As an undergrad, a business minor is the easiest way to learn about the different sides of business and is a nice introduction to what Mays has to offer. With six classes focused on information systems, accounting, finance, management and marketing, I have developed new perspectives that have been critical in job interviews and my internship, and have helped me forge my path forward.
Titans of Investing
This investing program is dedicated to providing a broad perspective on financial markets and global developments. It guides students toward focusing on longer term context and understanding of current market conditions. It is a semester-long program directed by Britt Harris, current president, CEO, and CIO of the University of Texas Investment Management Co. This program is extremely beneficial and open to engineers as it catapults them into new mindsets that truly bridge the gap between engineering and the financial market.
Business Fellows
Growing as an individual is oftentimes a goal of many TAMU engineers who are high achieving and want to grow as leaders in the future. Business Fellows is a premier developmental program for all students at A&M that welcomes engineers as they help to build on each other’s capacity in core competencies. It has allowed many of my friends to learn about their leadership qualities, create new opportunities, experience team management and many more critical skills that go far beyond what being an engineer is like.
Graduate Degrees
Mays manages 4+1 programs that can allow engineers to finish their undergrad while starting graduate classes and earn a Master of Science in a business field after just one year of grad school. One of the most popular degrees is the Master of Finance, which includes the “STEM to Stocks program”. This program has allowed many of my friends to either continue to pursue a role as an engineer with a much better understanding of their personal finances and new ideas, or to jump into new roles in the business world in which they are able to apply the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of engineers. It is extremely successful, highly sought after, and always looking for engineers to come and challenge each other.
Strategic Philanthropy
Kyle Gammenthaler directs this program in which students learn about numerous non-profits in the Bryan-College Station area and go through an extensive and extremely rewarding process to develop close connections and an understanding of how they work. Ultimately, students are given the “power” to choose how different donations will be made to their selected philanthropies. This program is unique and welcomes engineers while teaching them to work with people who think differently and to learn more about themselves by continuously stepping out of their comfort zone. I have had the pleasure to meet Kyle and he loves this program as much as he loves seeing engineers grow through it.
Programs like these have allowed me to not only take a break from engineering, but to take what I am learning into different settings, have more applicable experiences, and ultimately learn more about my goals and how I want to accomplish them.
The College of Engineering offers a wide variety of opportunities available to you. Find out what you can get involved in today!
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