Navigating the transition from college to career can often be a daunting task that is filled with uncertainties. However, for Texas A&M students like Zach Miller, a sophomore studying industrial distribution engineering, the Career Center serves as a vital resource that can make that transition a lot more approachable.

Miller first discovered the Career Center during a presentation by Career Advisor Roland Block at an honors meeting for the College of Engineering. Last fall, Miller was posed with the challenge of deciding which summer internship opportunity was right for him. Remembering Block’s presentation, he reached out to the Career Center, which connected him with Block for personalized counseling sessions.

“I was really seeking guidance from the Career Center because I needed help finding housing for an internship offer that I had in Maryland,” Miller said. “And I also really wanted to hear their perspectives on the different opportunities that I had and how that would combine with my long-term career interests.” With the Career Center’s help, he was able to land an internship with HEB for the second year in a row.

The Career Center has also provided Miller with advice on how to reach out to former students who are currently in the field he wants to be in when he completes school. He’s been able to talk to a handful of Texas A&M engineering graduates who have gone on to law school, which is his goal after completing his Bachelor’s degree.

Miller said his success with utilizing the Career Center has inspired him to share the resource with his friends and even helped them score their first internships. He said the experience of internship teaches you things that you can’t learn in the classroom. “I think any type of work experience in a professional setting is a good opportunity for students to be able to apply what they're being taught in the classroom,” Miller said. “A professional setting is where they have to make decisions and think quick on their feet to be able to learn how to react under pressure.”

He also reflected that sometimes that hardest part of an internship is just landing one. “That's why the Career Center is so helpful and valuable,” he said. “They'll take you under their wing and use their experiences of helping other students to help you with your interests.”

As Miller continues his journey at Texas A&M University, one thing remains certain: the Career Center will continue to play a crucial role in shaping his professional trajectory. With its personalized guidance, supportive community, and holistic approach to career development, the center empowers students like Miller to navigate the complexities of the job market with confidence and purpose.

Texas A&M’s Career Center ranks no. 12 in the nation for career placement amongst public universities according to the 2024 Princeton Review. To help them continue to enrich the career paths of students you can donate online or contact Michael Osborn with the Texas A&M Foundation.