Balancing Academics and Career Goals
With the help of the Career Center, Liam Snyder is on his way to a bright future.
Olivia Garza '23, Texas A&M University Division of Student Affairs
Liam Snyder '25
Courtesy of Liam Snyder
Liam Snyder ’25 knows what it’s like to be a busy college student. The mechanical engineering major is currently enrolled in 20 hours of coursework, a team lead for an engineering project, a squad lead in the Corps and an officer for the student organization Aggies Create. Even with his packed schedule, Snyder is committed to laying a strong foundation for his life after college.
Snyder was introduced to the Career Center when staff member Roland Block '92 spoke in one of his classes. Snyder had heard about the Career Center before, but it wasn’t until he heard Block’s presentation that he decided to check it out.
“I convinced pretty much my entire class to go to the career fair with me,” Snyder said. With the goal of landing an internship, the group attended the Engineering Career Fair. Snyder showed up prepared, taking time to review which companies he would be most interested in and prepare his elevator pitch, just as Career Center staff recommends.
And his homework paid off. Snyder was able to snag two job offers at the career fair and two interviews. He landed an interview with Garmin, which was one of the businesses he had planned to connect with when he was doing his research. “I wanted to focus on companies that I could relate to,” he said. “If I knew someone in the company or had used their product, I knew I would be able to have deeper conversations.”
Snyder said that he’s lucky that he’s always been confident in his career path. His experience with the Career Center has helped strengthen that confidence. Snyder is planning to pursue a PhD after he finishes his undergraduate degree, but he has already built strong foundations in the industry. He had interned with Airbus Helicopters and made it to a second-round interview with Garmin, building a network of professionals along the way.
As for how he balances his course load with extracurriculars and preparing for his future, Snyder credits two things. “Google Calendar and discipline,” he said. “That’s what keeps me on track.”
His advice for fellow students that are looking to prepare for their future career is to use their resources. He said he sends all his friends to Career Center workshops when they are feeling unsure, because he’s seen the impact utilizing those resources can have.