Hello! A friend of mine got me thinking about the value of a degree and how not degree is worth any debt. He got accepted as a transfer to A&M but didn’t want to go into too much debt. Now i’m wondering ** if ** someone makes it into Texas A&M for engineering, will taking on debt be worth the value of a degree?
Is it reasonable to go to Texas A&M for (say manufacturing or nuclear) engineering with $21,000 of debt waiting for them when they graduate?
Is an A&M degree worth that much debt?
If so, how does the degree pay it back? What makes an A&M degree so valuable?
Now do not quote me on any of this, but speaking from someone who knows numerous graduated engineers, I would say yes to your first and second question. I thought about that before even applying to Texas A&M, and people will always tell me that yes, debt (21k isn’t that much with an engineering degree) is not a terrible burden when graduating from Texas A&M with an engineering degree. Many of the people I have spoken to made around 50-70k/year starting out. Now I know everyone may not land a job after graduation, but the aggie network is a powerful thing. Honestly I would just research it.
Just by googling it this is what I found,
https://engineering.tamu.edu/about/facts (directly from Texas A&M)
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/School=Texas_A&M_University_-_Main_Campus/Salary (averages of how much A&M engineers make)
What makes the aggie network “powerful”?
I think it is absolutely worth it. 21k is not that much and if you get a job that pays 60k with the degree vs a normal job for 30k you will brake even after 3 years. The aggie network is basically a term that means aggies will hire aggies and it often makes it easier to get a job. Don’t do it just for the money though, engineering is difficult and requires 110%. Hope this helps.
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What makes the aggie network “powerful”?
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It’s an environment of inclusiveness they create and carefully nurture. It’s passed down from class to class by the students themselves. The meaning and honor of being an Aggie starts at NSC (New Student Conference) and continues through Fish Camp, Gig’em Week, and so on. A&M doesn’t have ‘alumni’, they have ‘former students’ because ‘once an Aggie, always an Aggie’. There are traditions that imbue respect for students and former students who have passed: Taps, Silver Taps, Muster, Bonfire Remembrance, and so on.
Years after you graduate, if you find another Aggie, you’ve instantly found another friend - the inclusiveness endures through generations. It’s really quite something.
Hey! I see what you mean. So the Aggie Network is normally to help engineers get hired if the recruiter is a former Aggie? Because I was hoping to work at a smaller company out of college (I don’t like the environment of a big office)
If the recruiter isnt an aggie, how does the A&M get you a job? Do engineers graduate with some portfolio of projects or a ton of experience or…?
A&M does not get you a job. The Aggie network does not get you a job. Your education and Aggie Network can help you get a job but securing a job is up to you as a potential employee. The Aggie network can create contacts for you but you are guaranteed anything once you graduate. A&M affords you an education from a highly respected university.
Take advantage of Your years at A&M and make contacts, attend the job fairs etc and make the most if who you can be.
Aggies do like to help their own (other Aggies) if and when they can but there is no guarantee that you will be hired for a job just because the owner/boss/recruiter is also an Aggie.
You can interview with whatever size and type of company you want when you graduate. You are in charge of your own destiny.