TAMIU Summer Academy Celebrates Professional Readiness, Career Development

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) recently concluded its first-ever Summer Academy: Beyond the Degree (Academy), an eight-day program designed to help students build the confidence, skills and experiences needed to prepare for life beyond the classroom.

Held Aug. 3–13, the inaugural Academy welcomed 20 TAMIU students. The Academy was a collaborative initiative of the Vice President for Student Engagement, the Office of Career Services, and the Office of Student Affairs. The Chancellor's Century Council made the opportunity possible by funding the program’s development and implementation.

Throughout the Academy, students participated in interactive workshops, simulations and hands-on experiences focused on professional communication, networking, interviewing, career exploration and workplace readiness. Programming also included virtual reality activities, mock interviews, professional headshots and opportunities to practice skills in realistic professional settings, reinforcing the Academy’s emphasis on career preparation.

“My hope was that students would leave the Academy with a greater sense of confidence, purpose and direction for their future. Success after college is about more than earning a degree; it also requires communication skills, adaptability, professional presence and self-awareness,” said Yelitza Howard, Career Services director. “What was most rewarding was seeing the transformation throughout the Academy. Students became more confident, more willing to step outside their comfort zones and more intentional about their future goals.”

A central goal of the Academy was to create a supportive environment where students could step outside their comfort zones, practice new skills and build greater confidence before encountering similar situations in internships, interviews and the workplace, reinforcing the program’s practical value.

“This experience gave me the opportunity to really reflect on who I am and recognize strengths and qualities I hadn’t seen in myself before. I now feel more confident identifying my skills and explaining them through real experiences. Before the Academy, I felt uncertain about my professional future, but now I feel more secure in myself and excited about the opportunities ahead,” said Yazmin Azeneth Martínez, a senior Criminal Justice major from Laredo.

Students who completed the Academy received a certificate of completion and a $300 stipend, marking their participation and achievement.

The Academy also provided the Division of Student Engagement with an opportunity to explore a new model for intensive career readiness programming, with hopes of continuing the Academy or developing similar opportunities for students in future summers, showing its potential to shape future offerings.

Currently enrolled University students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources and services available through the Office of Career Services, located in the Student Center, room 120. Students can visit the office for assistance with career exploration, professional development and preparation for future employment opportunities, helping them build on the Academy’s lessons.

For more information, visit the Office of Career Services in Student Center 120, email careerservices@tamiu.edu, or call 956-326-HIRE.

A proud member of The Texas A&M University System, TAMIU provides a world-class educational experience to students from throughout South Texas, Northern Mexico, and beyond.

For more on the University’s story, visit tamiu.edu or follow its social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X.