Students who want to further their education can explore getting a master’s, doctorate or professional degree at one of about 50 universities that will visit Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The office of career services is hosting the Graduate and Professional School Fair 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 in the Vista Room (402) of the Central Academic Building.
Representatives from a variety of programs and schools will be available for students to meet. They include the University of Houston Law Center, the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, Dallas Theological Seminary, the Rosenberg School of Optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
“The fair is here to help all levels of students — especially juniors and seniors who are wanting to pursue graduate school,” said Gabe Barrientez, a career adviser at Texas A&M-San Antonio. “It’ll help you know what to expect and how to apply.”
Barrientez suggests students dress in business casual attire — such as dark jeans and a nice blouse, or even slacks and a jacket. They should not wear gym attire or ripped clothing. Having a pen and paper in hand to take notes is suggested and maybe even a résumé to hand out.
If students need business attire, the Career Clothes Closet is on campus to help.
The Career Clothes Closet is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in room 211 of the Central Academic Building. All current students are eligible to use the closet, and appointments are preferred. For more information, visit their website or call 210-784-1356.
Students who want more information about the fair or career services can visit the career services website at http://www.tamusa.edu/careerservices/. On the site students are able to sign up for Handshake, which is a new platform the office is using. Students also can use the website to set up appointments with an adviser.
Clarissa Tejeda, assistant director of career services, said the fair — and her office — can guide students in the right direction.
“What are their options before they graduate? Needing to know what to do beforehand — ‘Well, you’re going to need to do an internship,’ or you’ll need a resume; you’re going to need a cover letter,” Tejeda said. “So helping students out is also part of that service. We also do mock interviews making sure students are prepared for it.”
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio will participate in the fair.
Nicquet Blake, Ph.D is the school’s senior associate dean. Blake said she became interested in Texas A&M-San Antonio and its Hispanic culture after hearing President Cynthia Teniente-Matson speak at Now Word Covenant Church.
Blake said this is the second year her school will visit the fair to recruit students for master’s or Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences. Those degrees include biomedical engineering, nursing science, dental hygiene, and cell systems and anatomy.
The school will provide information on programs, application requirements and application assistance. The fair is a great opportunity for one-one assistance, Blake said.
Last year some students “nibbled” in the program, but a graduate of Texas A&M-San Antonio has not yet enrolled in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she said.
Not only does Blake hope for a successful fair, but she also hopes to make a difference in students’ education.
“We believe in and embrace diversity, and we want to make sure that we are preparing Texas students for the Texas workforce,” Blake said.
Liz Hernandez, adviser with the University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of Pharmacy, said the school accepted a Texas A&M-San Antonio graduate who attended the fair about two years ago.
“We are thrilled when we have a conversion because of speaking with students,” Hernandez said.
The Feik School will participate in this year’s fair.
“I love to visit the A&M campus, both because of the beauty of the campus, but also, (at) our last two event visits, we met such wonderful, polite students who seem to want to learn more about professional opportunities, and we want to make that information available,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez described UIW’s pharmacy school as “unique because of its small and intimate setting.”
Last year, UIW spoke with 11 students at the fair, and Hernandez said she hopes that number will grow each year.
“We’re hoping that by giving out equivalency sheets, our requirements pamphlets and some giveaways, etc., we will provide students with the right additional information that will help them determine and begin their admission process, allow them an opportunity to take courses that meet our requirements and standards right there at A&M so they will be prepared,” Hernandez said.
By: Audrey Ballinger, Jaclyn Campbell, Stephanie Mulford and Melanie Treviño
