TAMIU AIRES is a Comprehensive Readiness Program for upper-level STEM students at TAMIU aimed at ensuring degree completion and preparation for success in the workforce upon graduation. TAMIU AIRES provides academic support services and career-readiness opportunities, such as work-based learning, professional development, financial literacy training, networking, collaboration, and conferencing experiences. The 5-year grant funded by the Department of Education, Title V, aspires to institutionalize the academic support services and career-readiness opportunities the project provides so that they are readily available to future upper-level STEM students at TAMIU.
TAMIU AIRES is a 5-year grant awarded in the fall of 2020 by the Department of Education, Title V.
- Access to week-long Financial Literacy and Career Readiness workshops in the Summer.
- Work-based Learning Opportunities in the form of face-to-face internships that count as 3-hour credit courses and provide a small stipend for participation.
- Tax Preparation workshops, certification, and volunteer opportunities during Wintermester provided in collaboration with the VITA Laredo program.
- Business Management Certification provided in collaboration with TAMIU's Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
- Work-based Learning Opportunities in the form of Incubatorships provided in collaboration with Laredo's MileOne and also provides a small stipend for participation.
- One-to-one coaching and advising through our very own Academic Success Coach and Career Readiness Coordinator.
- Specialized Supplemental Instruction in STEM classes to assist students through challenging areas of upper-level coursework.
- Access to small-group faculty mentorship during the incubatorship experience.
- All-Expense-Paid Leadership and Research Conference opportunities.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Systems Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Management Information Systems
- Science with Grades 7-12 Certification
- Mathematics with Grades 7-12 Certification
An Incubatorship is a membership providing access to a dedicated office space and associated services. The Incubatorship will be offered by TAMIU AIRES to undergraduate STEM Seniors (in groups of 3 or more) who present a novel business idea that is selected to be further explored and developed.
An Incubator is an open-concept collaborative workspace where business ideas incubate, i.e., develop and come into fruition. Incubators are facilities typically stocked with the resources needed for entrepreneurs to develop their small business or novel ideas. Such resources include open-concept worktables and seating, conference rooms available for reservation, unlimited coffee and water, access to computers, printing services, and mail processing services. Typically, incubatorships allow small business owners to bring in clients to the incubator in lieu of an office. It is intended to be a place where entrepreneurs can meet with other business leaders and build their professional network. Trainings related to small business development and entrepreneurship are made available in the incubator on a regular basis. In sum, it is a hub for business-minded individuals to congregate and collaborate in order to realize their ideas.
During the duration of the grant, TAMIU AIRES will be working collaboratively with Laredo's very own MileOne, a local non-profit organization that offers coworking and business incubatorship programs. For more information about MileOne, check out their website here. Students who are selected will be provided with the Incubator membership, at no cost to them. Those whose ideas go on to the next level will receive access to the LaunchPad membership for the duration of their Senior year, also at no cost to them.
- Must be a currently enrolled upper-level undergraduate STEM student at TAMIU.
- Must have completed the application, which includes a Cover Letter, Resume, and Interview. (For assistance with creating a cover letter or resume, please contact our Career Readiness Coordinator. You may also go directly to the Office of Career Services for assistance.)
- Preferred interest in entering the workforce upon graduation and/or interested in developing an Entrepreneurial idea.
- Must attend one-to-one career advising and academic coaching.
- During the duration of the internship, which counts as 3 SCHs, students will be required to submit: weekly progress reports, an experience journal, and an oral presentation at the end of the internship.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helps individuals file their income tax returns each tax season. If you participate in the Wintermester workshop/certification, you may be able to volunteer the following tax season that usually spans from February through April. For more information about VITA, check out the website here.
Absolutely. You can participate in TAMIU AIRES's Comprehensive Readiness Program activities even if you have participated in other university programs. TAMIU AIRES is unique in that it helps upper-level STEM students who are interested in working upon graduation and developing the skills necessary for making the transition into the workforce after degree completion.
No. You do not need to provide your own internship opportunity. TAMIU AIRES will help students in facilitating this process by working with local and regional businesses as well as TAMIU faculty. If you have a specific business or internship opportunity in mind, we may be able to work with business leaders and/or faculty so long as certain requirements are met.
You may contact AIRES, if you have any additional questions not covered in this FAQ. You may email us at: aires@tamiu.edu or 956.326.2653. Any students interested in participating in the program may reach out at any time as well. See our Team Page for other contact information that might pertain to your inquiry.
