The Master of Engineering Technical Management (METM) program at Texas A&M University is a 21-month part-time online program designed specifically for working professionals in engineering and technology. The program is currently ranked 15th on CollegeChoice.net’s Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management Degree list and equips participants with the business and leadership background needed to excel, such as leadership, project management, data-driven decision making, financial engineering, contracting, value asset management and technology commercialization. The METM curriculum is uniquely crafted and delivered by industry leaders who emphasize current industry applications and solutions.
In August, nearly 100 current METM students from around the world traveled to the Zachry Engineering Education Complex in College Station to attend the annual METM residency week. A residency week allows a distinctive online program to excel by creating an immersive learning environment and allowing students to connect in a traditional classroom environment and build an inclusive bond between classmates.
During the residency week, first-year students attended an engineering personal leadership class taught by Dr. Ben Zoghi, director of the METM program and Victor H. Thompson Professor. This course addressed emotional intelligence (EQ) and developing cognitive, emotional and behavioral capabilities so students will become effective leaders. Students explored the area of emotional intelligence, identified personal EQ competencies and other areas for improvement, and built upon those competencies and skills.
Part of the time in the class was spent at the Texas A&M ChallengeWorks Outdoor Learning Laboratory. Students were separated into small groups and completed a wide variety of ropes course activities that built teamwork and camaraderie.
Students returning to residency week for their second and final year attended the Capstone I class co-taught by Anupam Srivastava and Dr. Steven Thompson, who have nearly 60 years of high-tech industry experience combined. Throughout the course students gained firsthand knowledge of the practices, experiences and values of a successful technology management leader when facing volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous times.
Both first- and second-year students spent a day at the George Bush Presidential Library Complex’s Annenberg Presidential Conference Center listening to a variety of accomplished guest speakers talk about a multitude of leadership topics. Afterward, guest speakers, METM faculty and staff attended a networking social and were joined by the Texas A&M yell leaders and university mascot Reveille.
This year’s speakers and topics included:
Ahmed Mahmoud | “Leadership in Technology”
Chief Information Officer, Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain, General Motors
Gordon England | “Leadership & Ethics”
Former Secretary of Navy, Former President of General Dynamics
Andrew Nelson | “Servant Leadership”
Mayor of Bryan, Texas, CEO and Co-Founder of Lisam America
George Anderson | “Leadership & Executive Coaching”
Managing Partner, Anderson & Anderson
Dr. Jennifer Reyes | “Leadership & Diversity/Inclusion”
Director for Assessment and Diversity Initiatives, Texas A&M
On the final day of residency week, students received presentations from their future online professors and had the opportunity to engage with them and ask questions before returning home and beginning the semester. Second-year students were escorted to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center to try on and select an Aggie ring that they will be eligible to order in January 2020.
METM is currently accepting applications for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. Information sessions for prospective students are being held throughout October and November in Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. During the information sessions, faculty, staff and current students will discuss the program structure, course content and the benefits the program can offer students and their employers.
To learn more about the program, application requirements and information sessions, visit the METM website.