Career Services recently traveled with 30 students to the
Dallas/Fort Worth area to explore career opportunities and meet with Texas
State alumni. This was the second time Career Services and Bobcats
embarked on a two day adventure to a city full of possibilities. The trip
included a visit to Parallon, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, FortWorth Chamber of Commerce, and an alumni networking mixer. Keep reading
to hear more about this wonderful opportunity told by two of the Bobcats that
attended the trip, Cynthia Jacobo and Ryan Court.
INTRODUCTIONS
Cynthia Jacobo
As a freshman at Texas State
University and an international student from Monterrey, everything was new to
me; the culture, living in an apartment, walking to school, speaking another
language and going to different dining halls to eat American food. Not seeing
my family was hard, but making new friends was even harder. On top of all this adjusting, I had to decide
on a major that would assist me with my future career, and this was a huge deal
for me. I didn’t know where to start and
then I heard about an opportunity offered by Career Services called Careers in
the City - Dallas. The trip was only $20 and included visiting Parallon, Dallas International Airport
and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Not to mention there was an opportunity to network with Texas State
alumni at an alumni panel/mixer. It is an experience I am truly grateful to have been a part of.
Ryan Court
At
the beginning of the semester I had planned to start preparing for my career.
When Eden Bunch, Career Advisor at Texas State University, e-mailed me about an
opportunity to go on a Career Services trip to Dallas, and I jumped at the
opportunity. It was a way for me to start my professional network and to gain
experience attending an alumni mixer. It was also a way for me to get a foot in
the door with several companies in Dallas and to enhance my professional
skills.
DAY 1
Parallon
Provided by Cynthia Jacobo |
Alumni Mixer
Cynthia Jacobo
After checking in to our hotel, we
attended the Dallas alumni mixer at The Ranch at Las Colinas. It was a really
nice restaurant and we had reserved a room. Following a brief alumni panel, we
enjoyed dinner. The alumni sat down next
to us during dinner and shared their testimonies and advice. I met someone that
was a marketing major that had landed an internship at Google, which is something I have always wanted to do. He said to me that everything was possible
while he shared his advice, and it was then that I understood that it was all
about building connections. I made sure to
connect with this individual on LinkedIn following the networking event so we
could stay in touch.
Ryan Court
While
we ate dinner, the nearly 20 members of the Dallas Texas State Alumni Chapter went
around the room and introduced themselves to us. Several members spoke to us
about their careers while reminiscing about attending Texas State University. I
thought it was excellent because I had been curious about financial services
careers, and many of the alumni members were financial services professionals.
I got the chance to meet the Vice President of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., two
certified financial planners, and several financial analysts. I also met a
marketing analytics manager, an associate at a real estate company, an individual
who does analytics at a sports company, an independent insurance agent, and a
professional who works with deaf children.
DAY 2
DFW International Airport
Provided by Cynthia Jacobo |
We visited the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Friday morning. Upon entering the building, we got the chance to see the air traffic control room. We listened to a presentation by a former aviation military professional who had gotten his start working at DFW International Airport managing warehouses. After this, Robert Montalbo Jr., Texas State alum and Customer Service Supervisor of the Ambassador Program at DFW International Airport, told us all about his experience working for DFW International Airport, which he described as being its own miniature city. This was such a wonderful experience because Robert was so passionate about both being a Bobcat and the work he was performing.
Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Following this wonderful site visit and lunch
at DFW International Airport, we visited the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. We listened to a
stimulating presentation by a doctor, Executive Director of Human Resources at
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., an account executive and public relations
specialist, and the director of operations at a computer company. One question
that was asked was "What can I do as a freshman in college that will help
me get a job at your company?" The reply was very simple, get involved
with your university as much as you can, participate in events like this trip
and more opportunities to not only build up your resume, but help you build
connections and one day you will be that person for someone else.
Career
Services hosts all types of events for students to make connections and learn
about different career opportunities. Stay informed about our events
through the website (CareerServices.txstate.edu).