Tovar 1

Evelyn Tovar

Professor Julie Baker

ENGL 1301-181

7 December 2023

Career Advancement

Various individuals in college have wondered how they can receive experience that will

facilitate their transition into their desired occupation whilst attending university. It is often a

misconception that participating in research is exclusive to STEM majors; however, that is all it

is: a misconception. Simply put, research is the act of contributing new knowledge to an area of

study; thus, individuals in any major can conduct research. Texas A&M International University

offers undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct research within their major alongside

their major's faculty mentor through the TAMIU University Honors & Undergraduate Research

Program. Hence, the TAMIU Honors and Research Program offers numerous benefits for

enhancing one's talents and connections in their field of study. The TAMIU Honors and Research

Program brochure serves as a catalyst for those intrigued by the aspect of research. The authors'

use of the rhetorical appeal of pathos to entice their audience to apply for the program, for

example, can be seen in the brochure. The TAMIU Honors and Research Program strives to

serve students searching for an advantage in their field of study by implementing phrases that

appeal to the audience and the possibility of connections, showcasing their modest admission

requirements and diversity, and stating the benefits that come along with the program.

When you first open the brochure, there are highlighted words and phrases that grab your

attention since they virtually fly off the page (UHURP brochure). In one instance, they highlight

the phrase "opportunity to thrive" to demonstrate that they are empowering all students to fully
 Tovar 2
participate in research opportunities that will assist them on their career path. Additionally, the

term TAMIU's best and brightest appeals to the reader's amour propre and academic side

(UHURP brochure). By incorporating this confidence-boosting phrase, the reader will link this

society with members of exceptional intellectual and mental aptitude, one in which they can

meet like-minded individuals with whom to develop connections. Furthermore, one will not only

form relationships with compatible students but also with faculty members. Forging connections

with professors not only helps you to demonstrate to the professor your enthusiasm for your

field, but the mentor can additionally offer you guidance on future opportunities and serve as a

recommender for internships. According to a Marymount University article, it is critical to get to

know your teachers because they can be a valuable resource in advancing your professional path

during your undergraduate years (Munson, Marymount University).

The audience may take the words Honors and Research as an elite program tailored for

specific majors with tight prerequisites, yet the authors exploit this to their advantage to increase

the diversity of their audience. They deliberately disrupt the stereotype that research is primarily

for science majors by employing the phrase 'TAMIU students' rather than identifying any

specific major (UHURP brochure). They merely specify that one must be a full-time student with

a 3.2 GPA every semester and at least three full-time long semesters of school remaining before

graduation. As a result, the genre indicates that the TAMIU Honors and Undergraduate Research

Program is comprised of students of miscellaneous majors who are endeavoring to advance in

their field of study.

Another method they use to persuade students to join the TAMIU Honors and

Undergraduate Research Program is to compile a list of the benefits associated with being a

member of the program. They state with a bolded title that members have access to priority
 Tovar 3
registration and leadership opportunities, networking with professionals in the field, developing

research skills, and so on (UHURP brochure). The first two benefits are unquestionably crucial

to a college student's academic and professional lives. Priority registration allows a student to

register for classes about a week before the rest of the school's registration opens. With this

advantage, the student can select professors and classes that will boost their education without

worrying about not getting a spot in the class. Leadership opportunities allow students to extend

their horizons and attempt novel things. As students take advantage of all leadership

opportunities, they gain vital skills and confidence in their ability to work effectively with others

to accomplish a common objective. However, before diving in, one must consider the additional

labor that comes with the program. For example, while I was thrilled about the aspect of

research, I permitted it to cloud my judgment. I subsequently chose to withdraw from the

program because I had not found the appropriate balance of study and extracurricular activities.

However, after I figure out how to manage research and classwork, I plan to reapply to the

TAMIU Honors and Undergraduate Research Program due to the multiple perks it offers.

With these aspects in perspective, the utilization of a physical brochure allows the

audience to connect with the information presented rather than bypassing it on the wide web.

Therefore, when college students are seeking a community where they can improve their skills

and cultivate new connections in their field of study, they can trust that the TAMIU Honors and

Undergraduate Research Program is there to provide them with possibilities to prosper and

propel themselves to their full potential. The community is essential to campus because it allows

career-minded students to develop into trustworthy professionals with competence and integrity

in their subject of study. The genre in the brochure allows them to broaden their target audience

and motivate people to apply to a program that is concerned with their future.
 Tovar 4
Works Cited

University Honors & Undergraduate Research Program, https://www.tamiu.edu/honors/.

Accessed 17 September, 2023

Munson, Nicholas. “3 Reasons Why You Should Get To Know Your Professors Personally.”

Marymount University, 29, Nov. 2021,

https://marymount.edu/blog/3-reasons-why-you-should-get-to-know-your-professors-pers

onally/#:~:text=Talking%20with%20your%20professors%20outside,cram%20the%20nig

ht%20before%20exams!. Accessed 17 September, 2023.