Lessons Learned: 10 Years in Aggieland

By Delaney Couri

Most of my blogs this semester have been reflective as I prepare to end my tenth and final year in Aggieland and move on to different pastures. With almost three degrees under my belt, I think I have learned a few things during my time in this tiny Texas town. While the education I gained as a Mechanical Engineer, Educator, and Communication Scholar have helped me shape my career prospects, I think the most important lessons I learned have been outside of the classroom! To fully encapsulate my decade worth of lessons in Aggieland, I am once again compiling a list of tips and tricks I would share with anyone coming to Texas A&M.

1. Join a student organization. My undergraduate experience was defined not by my scholarship, but by my time in MSC OPAS. I owe my confidence, my presentation skills, my comfort talking to strangers, my professional mannerisms, and so, so much more to MSC OPAS. Even though it has been five years since I was actively involved, I still cited skills I learned and experiences I had in this organization at my recent job interview.
2. Apply for every competition, conference, and award that you can. Throughout my time at Texas A&M, I have won at least three awards and scholarships in my undergraduate career and six or more awards and scholarships in my graduate career. Money is tight in this economy and college is expensive— but don’t be fooled, Texas A&M does have money that you can access, you just need to know where to look! At least a few of the awards that I won, I won simply because no one else applied. There is no shame in applying, no shame in giving it a try. Even if you fail (which I also did quite a few times), I still ended up with a free t-shirt and some donuts. Every single opportunity is a chance to sharpen your skills, to engage with your peers, and yes, to win some money or at the very least, eat some good free food.
3. Don’t be afraid to take jobs outside of your comfort zone. Again, college is expensive, but jobs can help offset that cost, even if just a little. Throughout my time at Texas A&M, I worked as a peer teacher for freshman engineers, a math tutor for K-12 kids, a substitute teacher for K-12 kids, a suite attendant for in Kyle Field, a graduate assistant for the Center for Teaching Excellence (note- the prior four jobs listed I held all at the same time…), a graduate assistant for the Graduate Mentoring Academy, an interfaith intern at a local church, a dogsitter, a newspaper deliverer, and an undergraduate research assistant. There are pieces of these jobs that I loved and pieces that I hated, but not a single piece that I regret.

If you are coming into Aggieland, I encourage you to talk to those who have attended Texas A&M before you. What do they suggest you do to make the most of your time here? 

These are just my suggestions and I recognize that I am writing this advice from a place of privilege. I had scholarships and familial help to pay for my education, room, and board. I had a car for seven out of my ten years and was able to drive to different locations. I had wonderful friends, family, and mentors that always encouraged me to do my best and provided me with a safety net if I failed. I had the racial privilege that helped me get my foot in the door during interviews. My advice and my success are a result of these unearned privileges and hard work. 

Maybe you’ll find something here that helps you or maybe your journey will look completely different than mine and that is okay! Differences in experience and interest is what makes college so much fun. Being around other folks who are not like you and sharing experiences that bring you together exemplifies the magic that college and specifically Texas A&M brings. I hope that as I move forward in my professional journey, I can help the students I work with live their best college life. As we say here in College Station, it is time for me to “pass it back” and make a positive impact on the next generation of students. I can’t wait.