There are many opportunities in our lifetime, especially during our time at Texas A&M. While we will have millions of opportunities, we each have to choose which to take in every season.

Know your season

Like winter, spring, summer and fall, our lives often fall into seasons. As a freshman, I quickly recognized that Texas A&M didn’t lack resources. I “simply” needed to know what opportunities to go after. I defined my freshman year as a “transitioning season” and I got involved in a few activities, like Access and Inclusion Seminar and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Establish areas of growth

When I know the season I am in, I know what seeds to plant and what areas to grow in. In some seasons, I can effectively grow four trees. I can use my time to accomplish the goals I have set and invest in the friendships I would like to. In other seasons, it’s challenging to grow just one tree. In certain seasons, growth is solely in the form of maintaining your trees – honestly, I was at this point at the start of 2021.

Look for opportunities

After my freshman year, I went into a “growing season” and I wanted to grow as a well-rounded engineer. I actively searched for opportunities through summer classes, the Zachry Leadership Program, Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Ambassadors and more. We can all agree that if you can think of an opportunity you would like to have, Texas A&M either has a resource or a way to reach a resource to make that opportunity a reality, or a tree.

Stay alert to opportunities

Even as you look for opportunities, some of the best ones either come to you or you meet them on your journey toward another opportunity. For instance, I joined Ingenium after an opportunity with the Zachry Leadership Program. Be eager to search for opportunities, but always be present and open to several possibilities.

Knowing my season and growth areas always impacts my search for opportunities. There is a community of support at Texas A&M for your times and seasons of planting, maintaining and harvesting.

By the way, be as flexible as Texas weather: Be ready to go from winter to late summer and back to winter in just one week. Opportunities exist in every season and time, especially at such a time as this! Only one question is left: What will you plant?