maysblog

I feel that for my first blog, I should give some background as to my personal life and what got me to Texas A&M. In the beginning, it seemed to me that my story was very out of the ordinary, but as I have met many people through various organizations, classes, and my program, I have become increasingly aware of the diverse backgrounds of students coming to Texas A&M.

I grew up in a household with a single mother and one brother. Due to hardships, a failed marriage, and a lack of education, it was very difficult for my mother to provide an upbringing for my brother and me. I spent most of my childhood trying to figure out why all of my friends lived in a bigger house, had fancier toys, and went on these things called vacations. I knew that they seemed very happy and I wanted the same.

I decided early on that I was going to learn how to obtain what I wanted. My mother, although not formally educated, was very perceptive of the world around her. She told me that nothing came for free and the best things in life to have were things you had to work hard for. I learned the same lesson through sports, through school, and through personal relationships.

After high school, I knew I wanted to play baseball at the collegiate level. I was recruited by schools primarily in Texas, and decided on a school very close to home to be able to help out with my mom and my brother. After a year, I realized that my dream of coming to Texas A&M was outweighing my will to play baseball – I transferred.

I came to A&M with a passion for psychology. My introductory classes and professors sparked an incredible interest in the human mind. I went after the education with all I had until I was almost ready to graduate and beginning to look at graduate schools. Then something changed.

I began getting very interested in the business world through a business idea that I had. I started watching the markets, formulating business plans, and learning the lingo. I went to advisors, counselors, and alumni for help. The short story is that I got more help than I could have ever imagined. I took the necessary classes and then transferred to the business school – starting back at the beginning. It was a very daunting experience, but has paid unbelievable dividends (there’s some of that lingo).

I learned two very important things through these experiences. One, change is inevitable. Life is full of experience and when you go through it your desires and your path will change. Two, Texas A&M nurtures that change. There is an endless resource of many amazing people to consult with concerning your path. People here genuinely want to help, but you have to initiate that conversation.

Your path will be different than everyone else’s path, and that’s not only ok, it’s good. Take time for your education outside the classroom, sometimes termed the “other” education, and let it guide you.