Meet Sam
Longhorn Fan
With more than 50,000 students roaming around campus, you’d expect a lot of diversity—people with their own ideas and interests. And you’d be right.
But according to Sam, everyone at The University of Texas at Austin has at least one thing in common, “TEXAS spirit! Just go to any of the many events we have here and you’ll see it all around...anytime Longhorns get together, it’s always a memorable event.”
Not Just About Padding Your Resume
Sam has firsthand experience with campus events. In fact he says that such experiences have made the difference in his life on campus.
“Participation in organizations allows you to grow as a person, explore your interests and gain a multitude of leadership experience,” Sam said. “It’s also a good resume padder.”
Not only is he a member of the Longhorn Marching Band, but he also has over 300 hours of community service gained through his participation in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed, campus-based, volunteer service fraternity. His participation has given him the opportunity to hold numerous positions, run the world’s largest Texas flag at football games, and make many friends.
Sam’s also a SHARE Ambassador. SHARE stands for Students Helping Recruitment Efforts and allows students to volunteer or fill paid positions in which they assist the Office of Admissions in recruiting new Longhorns.
Sam’s first experience with SHARE was during his freshman year when he volunteered for Hometown Holiday Recruitment, a project that sends enrolled students back to their hometowns during the winter break to speak to high school students about life at UT Austin. “After years of volunteering, I saw an opening as a SHARE Ambassador (student assistant), and I took it,” Sam said. “Now I’m a senior SHARE Ambassador! I get to interact on a daily basis with interested students, and I get to oversee many volunteer aspects of all our recruitment programs.”
Right for You
Despite Sam’s enthusiasm about his volunteer and organizational activities, he chose UT Austin because it has the best engineering school in Texas – and because of the Longhorn Marching Band and Texas Football. He also liked the idea that the university was affordable and close to home. In the end, he just felt that it was right for him.
And that’s the advice he’d give to anyone trying to make a decision about a college or university: “Choose a university that’s right for you, not for your parents, siblings or friends.”
Sam encourages prospective students to visit the campus when students are around. He suggests Explore UT, a Saturday football game, 40 Acres Fest, or one of the special prospective student events such as Longhorn Saturday or Rise and Shine held by the Office of Admissions. Another interesting idea is to spend a school day with a friend you might know on campus to see what it’s really like.
“I did many of those things and because of that I knew I wanted to come to UT Austin. I didn’t even bother looking at other schools, I fell in love,” Sam said.
Once a student is here, Sam has some more advice: network. “Interacting with faculty, staff, other students and professionals is one of the most important things to do while in college.” Knowing other students can help you to develop study groups and keep you motivated, and knowing professors can also help you academically and keep you connected with opportunities in the academic world and discover opportunities outside the classroom. “I was able to spend a whole week at Halliburton’s Energy Institute for a training camp learning hands on. All expenses paid!”
Sounds like good experience for someone who plans on working for an oil or service company as a drilling, production or operations engineer.
Questions?
Contact Sam by e-mail.