College Jolt

The true definition of networking – according to one of my close companions, dictionary.com – reads: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.  Networking varies from a Facebook friend request to establishing a connection on LinkedIn.  My series will explore the abundant ways to network.

Today’s the day.  You open your eyes feeling refreshed and accomplished.  Your arms and legs extend and tighten as you stretch, slowly getting out of your almost too comfortable bed.  You cannot help but have a glorious smile on your face as you walk from your bed to your curtain covered window.  The curtains are drawn back and the delicate, warm sun greets your face.  *Smile.*  You plunge into your morning rituals, eager to get going.

30 minutes after the commencement of your morning rituals, your hair is commendable, your face is soft, you are sharply dressed, and your smile is still gleaming just as it was when you first woke up.  You are too excited to eat, you are too nervous to eat, and you are too giddy to sit in one place.  Don’t forget your camera!

You have been pondering the last three years of your college career.  This reminiscence is overwhelming, but this feeling of being overwhelmed is just the right amount to not make you cry, but to make you still wear that unforgettable, gleaming smile.  This day, is your Aggie Ring Day.

Each university in the United States has its own special characteristic.  This unique characteristic allows the students – both current and former – to have a special connection. This connection cannot be experienced by strangers who did not attend the university, but only by people who have experienced this characteristic connection.  As an Aggie would say, “From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it…and from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”

Texas A&M University is known for its traditions.  Some may say that if something is done two times by an Aggie, Aggies name it a tradition; of course, this is exaggerating.  One of Texas A&M’s most honored, futuristic tradition is the tradition of the Aggie Ring.  Receiving one’s Aggie Ring is labeled “one of the greatest moments in the life of any Aggie” and began with the Class of 1889.

As time elapsed, the Aggie Ring became more sophisticated and flashy.  The ring itself is exceptionally attractive as it smiles with golden sparkles in brilliant light.  What makes the Aggie Ring even better are the requirements students must meet to purchase their Aggie Ring.  Students must have 90 completed undergraduate cumulative hours (45 of those hours must be resident hours), a 2.0 GPR, and one must not be on any type of academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on any honor violation probation from the university.  An honor violation refers to the Aggie Code of Honor (which is also on the tip-top of A&M’s priority list): An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do. The Aggie Ring is a representation of a student excelling through 90 tough, demanding, rigorous hours at Texas A&M University.

When former students wear their Aggie Ring, they wear it with pride.  When a human being that wears an Aggie Ring notices that another human being is wearing an Aggie Ring, the first question that flies from that person’s mouth is: “What year did you graduate!?”  BAM!  There is an automatic, ignited connection and association. This situation is unbelievable when you see in reality.  So many questions are jolted by one simple piece of jewelry: a class ring.  What was your major?  What was your favorite library? What dorm did you live in?  What was your favorite place to eat?  These two strangers are connected by the university they attended many years prior to the moment they met.  Before you know it, these strangers become friends, business cards are exchanged, and one person receives a new doctor and the other person receives a new dentist!  Amazing; networking at its best, which was all procured by a simple ring, an Aggie Ring.

Universities all over the nation have firm, resourceful networks.  Each university has its unique brand or mark visible to where current and former students recognize.  Aside from class rings, all universities have a “Former Student Association” or a directory of former students.  This is a valuable resource for your toolbox in a sense that you may contact an individual as a potential mentor.  Use these unique, university associations to your advantage. Always strive to achieve what you envision – figuratively fight for that Aggie Ring!…or class ring – in certainty that your vision is simply your future.

Image courtesy of fotofogg.wordpress.com.