The Aggie Network is overblown by most Ags, I've seen it work in small instances but it's way over hyped.

I think you have unreasonable expectations with respect to what the aggie network does.

In my mind it's intended to push open a door that's already cracked and push you above another individual/company/vendor/etc all else equal.

Maybe my expectations are too low.

ChampsAg said:

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I used to work at the Career Center. Reach out to them and to your old department. You can post your resume at the Career Center. Watch for career fairs and put your resume everywhere. Pray. God listens.

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I will say that the career center is really only good primarily for jobs in Texas, not out of state in my experience.

That's not too surprising. It's harder than you think to get Aggies to move outside Texas for an extended period of time. Everyone wants to come back for the most part. It has prevented a lot of companies from spending a lot of recruiting efforts there. Also, when you look at the size of Texas, there are lots of opportunities in the state.

Also, you may be surprised how little other schools do to help their graduates find a career.

The larger and more accepting A&M attendance gets, the smaller the "Aggie Network" becomes resourceful.

It's the reason I have my current job. I'd wager it's more valuable than the vast majority of other colleges "networks".

OP - do you have any interest in downstream chemicals? The job would be at a refinery so your commute would be long (ship channel, Baytown, etc.). But it's a solid job. Let me know if that's something you're interested in. No guarantees but I think there are some open positions.

As others have mentioned, hang in there OP. I got my current job because of the Aggie Network...sort of. I got laid off from my first job out of college after 9 months after we bought a competitor and merged offices. Last in first out was their philosophy on most, which meant me and most of the people I started with. The only one that I know that was still there that I started with was an older guy who had retired out of IB and was just killing time until he turned 60.

I got my second job from a friend of my mom's who was able to bring me on via a temp agency. After working my butt off working nights doing work that HS girls were also doing, I finally got a full-time offer from them. I continued working my butt off for a whopping $12/hr working nights. Just for perspective, I was a single guy working Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights from 6p-6a at 25 years old. I had no social life, but I kept at it and it paid off. After 8 years with the company, I had worked my way up and was doing well when I was laid off during their annual April layoffs because they can't plan for a lean Q1. By that point, I was relieved when it happened more than shocked. I had been trying to get out for about a year due to the culture change the company took after they were bought out a few years prior.

It was at that job that I met the person that would help me get on with my current company, which I absolutely love and is everything you'd want a job to be. He had left my old company to go to work for this one in a similar role in a different industry. After I got laid off, I had reached out to him and they had a spot open that he told me to apply to. He got my resume in front of the hiring manager (who was an Aggie as well), which lead to an interview. My interview was a back-to-back-to-back interview, which consisted of 2 Aggies and a senior level person who reported to an Aggie. I feel the Aggie connection got me into the room to interview, which is all I could have hoped for. If it came down to me and antother candidate and I was offered the job due to the connection, that has not been made public to me after 3.5 years.

Keep your head up as I know it's tough. Don't be afraid to take a chance or think that you're above a certain job due to the degree you have. Pride is a powerful thing and something you need to keep in check. Also, use your family's network if you're able to. And as has been said, don't be afraid to go where the work is, even if that means you leave while your wife stays near her doctor. My cousin works in oil and lost his job a couple of years ago. He now drives to south and west Texas for a couple of weeks at a time while his kids and wife stay back in East Texas because family and schools being there. It's a sacrifice he's making until he's able to find something closer.

Also, I know what you are talking about when you say that it seems some of your friends are coasting. I feel that way as well from time-to-time. I look at parents of my kid's friends who are similar in age and see them driving much nicer cars and living in custom homes in nicer neighborhoods and I often wonder where I went wrong. But for all I know, they're living paycheck to paycheck and/or not contributing anything to saving for the future. They may be, but who knows. I try to remember that I'm not doing that bad and there are many people who would love to be in the postition we're in, so I do consider myself lucky. My best friend is also one that I feel is coasting through life. His paychecks can be measured in what kind of car he can buy (Civic or Accord) and his bonus checks are more than my annual salary and bonus. He has cars in his garage that cost more than my house and has a vacation home that also is more than my house. But he's also miserable and wants a family. Meeting him, you'd be jealous of it all, but once he tells you what he really wants, it brings it all back into perspective.

It sounds like your first few years out of school have been tough, but remember that you're young and have a long career ahead of you. You also have somebody that you can lean on in time of need and give you something/one to keep you grounded and keep the positive outlook when you need it the most. The Aggie Network is real, even if it hasn't reached you yet. It will one day, and you'll know what everybody is talking about.

'00 and '03 here, 12 year vet of Subsea Engineering and Offshore Interventions, next week makes it 10 months out of work. I've worked with alot of great Ags but as far as opening doors to new opportunities, it's made no difference in my search. Sorry to hear about your wife, I can't imagine that stress being piled onto everything, as the feeling of being worthless who can't even provide a paycheck anymore is bad enough.

Great_I_Am said:

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The Aggie Network is overblown by most Ags, I've seen it work in small instances but it's way over hyped.

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I don't know you from Adam so this may or may not apply. My experience is that it isn't unusual that those who complain about the Aggie Network or it "doesn't work" are those that also complain about traditions and other things that make up what the majority of Ags see as truly being an Aggie. There's always that "Aggie" who's only an Aggie when it's to their advantage. Aggies take note, I know I do.

I have to laugh when someone only goes to A&M for the paper degree can't relate with other Aggies in the professional word. If you didn't have time for the other education or enjoy traditions in school and don't care to wear the ring, why would they expect it to magically work for you now? The last thing an Aggie wants to do is stick their neck out for someone that is embarrassed to be an Aggie. These so called "Aggies" are just as likely to be the ones not willing to help others Aggies, yet expect the network to work for them.

Then again Aggies can't help if there isn't a way to do so. O&G doesn't have a lot of opportunities right now for anyone, regardless of where they graduated. And when there is, there's thousands applying.

The typical response right now in the industry is "I'm still here" when asked by someone else how they are or how's it going. It's the same at a lot of places. I've lost track of how many rounds of layoffs there have been.

The Aggie Network is like a lot of other relationships. You tend to get out of it what you put in. It can be great, but if you only take part when you need something, good luck with Aggie Karma.

Interestingly, I have received several emails about getting into sales from people reading this thread, but nothing from the OP.

Great_I_Am said:

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The Aggie Network is overblown by most Ags, I've seen it work in small instances but it's way over hyped.

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I've never been offered a job just because I am an Aggie, but it has opened a lot of doors for potential employment, as well as networking.

I think a lot of new grads don't understand the Aggie Network fully. I know I didn't when I first graduated. The biggest part is actually networking, and not just when you are needing a job.

I have never got someone a job because they are an aggie and I have never got a job because I am an aggie. I have, however, put ags in touch with potential employers who are not ags that they otherwise would not have had access to. That's the Aggie Network. Opportunities. That opportunity, to directly email the hiring manager with a connection of the person who put you in touch, gives a person potentially a leg up on other applicants. But it's still that person's job to sell themself to that hiring manager in a crazy tough oil job market.

I wish you the best of luck in your search, and if you need anything for your wife, reach out. If your wife has an appointment out of town, I could with 99% certainty say the Aggie Network would help you with accommodations, even if that is just an Ag welcoming you into their home for the duration of your stay.

Aggie_Oil_Man said:

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I am a young man trying to find his way in life. I graduated in 2014 in Petroleum Engineering. I have been laid off twice already and on top of that I almost lost my wife to cancer. I haven't even turned 27 yet. I need some guidance. All I heard about growing up is the strength of the Aggie network but I have yet to see it work for me. I live in The Woodlands since my wife's doctor is here. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. You can crucify me on here as much as you want for posting this but sometimes a man just reaches his limit of disappointments.

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Howdy OP; I've spent my career in Talent Acquisition and would be happy to talk to you. Not promising to find you a career but I can be a sounding board for you as well as reviewing your resume, interview prep, etc.

shoot me an email jeff AT behavioralskills DOT net

It's an example of the extended Aggie network but I just hired a person that graduated from a small school in the northeast. I found out about her from an Aggie on this board that I've never met, but he reached out for help for her.

Aggie_Oil_Man said:

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I am a young man trying to find his way in life. I graduated in 2014 in Petroleum Engineering. I have been laid off twice already and on top of that I almost lost my wife to cancer. I haven't even turned 27 yet. I need some guidance. All I heard about growing up is the strength of the Aggie network but I have yet to see it work for me. I live in The Woodlands since my wife's doctor is here. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. You can crucify me on here as much as you want for posting this but sometimes a man just reaches his limit of disappointments.

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I can emphasize with your situation, because my wife is also a cancer survivor. We've been fighting the battle for the past two years. Every other week we go from College Station to MDAnderson. As hard as it sounds, you've got to keep a positive attitude, because that's what your wife needs. You can't give up hope, if you can stay away from everyone who has negative attitudes you will be much better off and your wife will be as well.

Don't give up on the Aggie network we are here for you. If not today then certainly in the near future. In the meantime tighten up your resume, interview skills and most importantly go to all of your wives doctors visits. She needs your unconditional support.

I think the OP (and many subsequent posters) have overlooked a really big part of the "Aggie Network."

The Aggie Network isn't just about getting a job or opening a door or providing an opportunity to potentially advance your career. The Aggie Network is about being able to voice personal frustrations and disappointments on a message board and have complete strangers respond with advice, encouragement, etc.

The Aggie Network means you can strike up a conversation with someone else on the street who is wearing an Aggie Ring and introduce yourself and tell them about the rough time you've been going through - and they will usually be sympathetic or encouraging and wish you well after you part ways. The Aggie Network means you can initiate a post like you did on an internet message board and have two pages worth of responses telling you to "keep at it" and "don't give up" and words of empathy and other words of wisdom to let you know that you're not alone.

Just because you don't get "hooked up" with a job for being an Aggie doesn't mean the Aggie Network isn't alive and well - and it doesn't mean that you aren't benefiting from it in some form or fashion. Aggies are a family that look out for our own... even if we can't provide a job to another Aggie, we can provide encouragement and a sounding board for personal frustrations and disappointments. The most impressive part is that the encouragement provided is usually genuine, the advice given is well-intended, and the well-wishes are usually genuine, too.

In my humble opinion, that kind of a network is way more valuable. Be proud to be an Aggie. The education you received will pay off if you keep plugging away. It won't always be easy. I'm not trying to imply that you think it should be easy. I'm just saying that hard work coupled with your Aggie education will tend to work out for you in the end.

Best of luck to you and don't give up!

OP, please contact me via email austinrb1 at yahoo dot com. I'm not in your industry, but have a client (in yours) that may be able to help you. I'd like to make the introduction

I feel your pain OP. I'm two years removed from the industry, but just received an offer that's twice what my last job was and have two other companies interested. Industry is picking up so keep applying and your time will come. Hang in there!

Aggie network helped me many times in my career. Hang in there.

Aggie_Oil_Man said:

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I am a young man trying to find his way in life. I graduated in 2014 in Petroleum Engineering. I have been laid off twice already and on top of that I almost lost my wife to cancer. I haven't even turned 27 yet. I need some guidance. All I heard about growing up is the strength of the Aggie network but I have yet to see it work for me. I live in The Woodlands since my wife's doctor is here. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. You can crucify me on here as much as you want for posting this but sometimes a man just reaches his limit of disappointments.

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I am sorry to hear about you wife's health and hope/pray that she is doing better. You have a very marketable skill set. I am always looking for people to put to work and I classify Petroleum Engineers right up there with Chemical Engineers. It takes a boat load of smarts to do what you do. And I wouldn't dare "crucify" you and totally understand about reaching your limits. I have nothing to offer but wish both you and your wife nothing but the very best. Hang in there sir, things will go your way moving forward.

As a young man just out of college, I had my share of job failures and setbacks in my career and life. You are not alone there by a long stretch. By 25, I had been laid off and gone through four jobs.

Sometimes it takes a stranger to give you honest advice. A stranger that cared enough just because we shared the same bond and love, Texas A&M. That's what a pull no punches straight talk did for me with a fellow older Aggie who I don't even know his name 25 years ago during a random encounter when I was down on my luck. It sent me down another path. He didn't take me to the destination because that was my responsibility.

That's what the so called Aggie Network means to me. I don't owe a simple job to that guy. I owe much more. And you know how I repay him? By doing the best I can to help other Aggies with direction or guidance where I can do so.

I hope you come to understand this one day and wish you the best. Things will get better, and sometimes the path is not what you expected or wanted at the time.

It doesn't apply at all, my experience is that the network is overblown by Aggies in general.

Great_I_Am said:

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It doesn't apply at all, my experience is that the network is overblown by Aggies in general.

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Can you elaborate?

T&P OP

I was going to say the aame but we also don't know the condition of his wife. Hope all is going well for him.

I disappeared because 3 days after I posted this I found out my wife's cancer is back. So my job situation has taken a back seat.

You're in our thoughts Ag. Hoping for the best on both fronts for you.

Removed my post. Thoughts and prayers with you and your wife. Very sorry to hear that.

Praying for you, Brother.

Aggie_Oil_Man said:

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I disappeared because 3 days after I posted this I found out my wife's cancer is back. So my job situation has taken a back seat.

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I honestly can't do anything other than pray for you and your wife on that front, but I do want to say that the Aggie network exists and is stronger than ever.

It's there for you even if it doesn't seem apparent. Stay positive and keep praying and be hopeful that things move in a positive direction.

since 1974 till retirement had 3 jobs, all aggie network, not all my supervisors were but the one doing hiring was

it is there believe me, have also hired a few through the "network"

keep eyes and ears open, as willie nelson says"enthusiasm overcomes everything"

The aggie network exists, but like with everything else you can't just rely on 1 thing to find you a job. Its the same when you are looking for a job, you cant just talk to 1 recruiter and expect him to land you something; you have to talk to multiple recruiters, apply for jobs on your own, reach out to your network etc.

You also have to expand your network to include everyone, not just where you went to college. It can be people from church, HS, neighbors, previous coworkers, family, sports club. Anyone that you know and can vouch for you!

Ive kept in touch with a lot of former coworkers/bosses at every single company Ive ever worked for. We all try to help each other out when we can. Ive gotten various former coworkers interviews/offers, and they have done the same for me. I've also had interviews because the hiring manager went to the same high school as me, or we had mutual friends/acquaintances.

Expand your network! Remember that people like to hire and help out people that they know. Its much easier to get your foot in the door if you know someone there and they can vouch for you. I see it everyday.

Best of luck.