The Aggie Ring - a journey.

Embarking on the last lap of my 2 years Master's journey at Texas A&M has been an exhilarating series of moments - I am super happy to graduate, excited to see what lies ahead, quite a bit uncertain about finding a job in technology, and super sad that my time at Aggieland as a student will end soon.

Amidst the possibilities and hope for a future in technology in the USA, I wanted to present my thoughts on how my journey as a graduate student at Aggieland has been extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

To pursue an MS in MIS, I started preparing in 2018. Juggling a full-time position at Infosys as a Senior System Engineer while studying for the GRE, shortlisting universities, and planning the next steps for the Master's applications was a Herculean task. While I was busy making all of this possible with the support from my colleagues, friends, and family - a pandemic in 2020, hit all of our lives, and I remember feeling like my dream was infinitely postponed.

Nonetheless, I hoped to be a part of a global academic community that would help me fulfill my ambition of becoming a woman leader in STEM. I decided to cling to it as my sole purpose for the 1.5 years of a pandemic that followed us until late 2021 which greatly helped me to face the uncertainty in life back then.

At Texas A&M, we say there is a spirit that can ne'er be told

I realized what it meant only once I got here in the Fall of 2021 and lived through the amazing traditions every single day.

To me, Texas A&M is a place that transformed me intellectually, academically, and most importantly, as a human.

The traditions we practice in this university are all driven by a sign of excellence and never-ending resilience. At all costs, I strive for these values in my personal and professional pursuits - a reminder of how it was possible for me to wait infinitely for a dream to come true.

One of my earliest memories of wanting to be at Texas A&M was driven by the need to belong to a global network of magnificent humans from all walks of life. As I read more about how The Association of Former Students manages a 400,000-strong group of Aggies around the world, I came across what I found the most unique thing about my university - The Aggie Ring.

This ring is not just a symbolic reminder of how this school brings its former students together under the umbrella of the Aggie Network, it also serves as a gold-level affirmation of how valued your efforts and journey are.

An Aggie ring is earned and not given.

To become eligible for an Aggie Ring, you need to complete 75% of your coursework. Well, sounds easier than it's done because it's not just you and your coursework - it's about how you crossed each of your day to day milestones, the intrinsic challenges, and overcoming all the obstacles with sheer determination and strength, even when no one was watching!

While I knew I always wanted to earn my Aggie ring, the journey to this ring has been monumental because I learned, failed, got back up countless times, and grew every day. I was also supported by the countless individuals on this campus just so that I could take one step closer to my dream, and I will forever be thankful for them.

One of the most important people I want to thank here in my journey is Dr. Jordana George . She inspired and supported me in achieving my academic goals, starting from the first semester when I was learning Advanced System Analysis & Design in her class. As time passed, she also recruited me as her Graduate Teaching Assistant where I could help countless students with their academic goals, just the way to keep passing it forward.

Her belief in my abilities as a student and an individual was a constant reminder that the efforts I have been putting into nurturing myself for the next steps of my life are valid, recognized, and indeed attainable.

To have worked with one of the finest faculty members at the INFO Department - Mays Business School is an honor and a testament to the journey thus far.

Lastly, this article is special for more reasons than one:

• It is a gentle yet firm reminder of how you can work hard towards your dreams and attain them with time
• The people you associate with in the process of realizing your dreams are very important and instrumental to attaining the tangible outcomes
• You must constantly put in the effort irrespective of the 'visible outcomes'
• The enjoyment that comes with doing anything with passion has a reward that will feel fulfilling when it does happen
• Many of life's opportunities slide by when we are busy looking elsewhere - being aware and present in the moment will just help us embrace these chances effectively

Having arrived at this one last milestone before I graduate in May 2023, I am only determined to make my mark in the world so that I can give back to the school that made me the woman I am today.

I reaffirm my commitment to be an Aggie, bring laurels to our school wherever I go, and stay connected to Aggieland with selfless service at the core of my values.?

Gig'em! :)

#graduatestudent #aggies #aggienetwork #womaninstem