A Balancing Act

One of the most difficult things for a college student is finding a proper balance between studying for class and having fun. Do not get me wrong--classes are important, but if a student does not put aside enough time to relax the stress can catch up with them and can make the college experience a nightmare. At Michigan State University, there are several opportunities for students to discover organizations. The groups vary to encompass just about everyone’s interests. These organizations are great ways to build a network of friends, especially for someone like myself, an out of state student with not a single friend or family member that resides in the state of Michigan.

When I am not busy studying, I choose to spend my free time on the Quidditch pitch. Yes, it is a variation of the fictional sport from Harry Potter, but it is pure fun! I have always been a huge Harry Potter fan, and ever since I heard about Quidditch I wanted to try it, so when I arrived on campus my freshman year I found the club’s table and signed up. The club has two entities: a travel team and a smaller intramural league that is separate from the university’s intramural league. The travel team goes throughout the Midwest to compete in tournaments against other university teams.

Fortunately, I have been able to make the travel team all three years that I have been here and have become great friends with my teammates. The amount of fun I have travelling with these people is great, I look forward to it every weekend we have a tournament. Over the years, my role within the club has grown, and I am now part of the coaching staff. My duties on the coaching staff entail introducing the sport to new recruits, while also aiding the team to perform well at tournaments through the regulation of substitutes and ensuring everyone has their gear. Since coming to college this is by far my favorite thing to do. I enjoy it so much that during the breaks of winter and summer I go through minor withdrawals. Being a part of a club like this helps me relieve stress caused by my classes, while also allowing me to relax with friends and enjoy my Michigan State University experience.

Brandon
Junior
CCP

MADI

Somehow, the last few years of college have flown by, and I am about to be a graduate of Michigan State University. It is unbelievable to think that just a few years ago, I was just a freshman in a new state with a bunch of new people. MSU has essentially become a second home for me.

Within my MSU experience, my time in James Madison College has been an integral part. One of the best parts about it has been my time as a member of the Madison Academic Diversity Initiative (MADI). I have been a member of the program since my freshman year, and the experiences I have received through the program have been nothing short of amazing.

At the start of my spring semester freshman year, I went on a weekend long retreat with several Madison students that I barely knew. As an out of state student, I was particularly excited about the opportunity to meet new people. I did not know that I would get lasting friendships out of it. The best part about these friendships though is that they are with people who are different from me in many ways. We might not have connected with each other in Madison otherwise.

In addition to the great relationships I got from participating in the retreat, I also had the opportunity to be exposed to a wealth of the resources that the college and university can provide. For many students in their first year, it can be a bit overwhelming to have so much in your face but participating in MADI is definitely a way to make the first year experience even better! There is a chance to have lunch with the deans, meet JMC alumni, connect with JMC Career services, and more!

Beyond the experiences it brings freshman year, MADI brings an affiliation with the Office of Diversity Programming that hosts a number of great events throughout the school year. Additionally, you have the chance, as an older student, to share your experience and advice with freshmen after you. This also gives the opportunity to be a leader that might not be so easy to find on this huge campus!

Overall, through my participation in MADI, I got connected to the college in variety of ways that might not have occurred otherwise. It is now a full year program and is worth considering if you are planning to come to Madison. It is a change to engage with your Madison community in a way that will make all the difference for your four years here at Madison. That’s a promise.

Florence

Senior

IR

Interning Abroad

When I applied to Michigan State University, one of the biggest attractions to me was that MSU has one of the best study abroad programs in the nation. I found the perfect program for me not through a traditional study abroad program, but in an intern abroad program – where students intern in cities across the world for academic credit through MSU. Part of James Madison graduation requirements is to complete a Field Experience, which most students fulfill by interning for a semester. This program was an excellent way for me to add an international element to my working experience.

I spent the summer of 2015 interning for the Disability Federation of Ireland. DFI is a non-profit umbrella organization for disability rights advocacy groups. It is funded to act as an intermediary between the government and their member organizations to unify and represent the voices of people with disabilities throughout Ireland.  This is a very difficult task as disability itself is such a broad term. DFI represents organizations of people with physical, intellectual, sensory, learning, and hidden disabilities and they all have extremely different priorities and needs due to the wide variety of their daily struggles.

I went on this trip with several other MSU students, all of which had their own unique international internship. My friends worked in places like international legal offices, Eco-Unesco (an environmental branch of the UN), the various political parties and candidates, economic development firms, and marketing firms. Every Monday - Friday, we would take the bus into the heart of the city and walk the streets of Dublin to reach our internship. Often we would rendezvous after work to go to a local pub in the city for dinner and drinks to wind down from our day before heading back to our apartments.  

Not only did I have an amazing professional experience, I also got to travel extensively throughout Ireland. Almost every weekend, a group of us would travel to go explore a nation so incredibly different from our own. From the foreboding Cliffs of Moher to the quaint local pubs, we traveled the countryside and discovered much about ourselves along the way. 

Mandy 

Senior

PTCD

Finding Time to Give Back

As a James Madison student, it is easy to get caught up in your own life. When you are not reading or writing a paper you are enjoying your avid social life, which most likely consists of meeting up with fellow Madisonian’s to discuss readings or proofread each other’s papers. However, it is important every now and then to take a pause and try to impact someone else’s life.

This semester I joined a group called Spartans Rebuilding Michigan, which is a student organization, designed to connect students willing to volunteer with charities and associations in need throughout East Lansing and the state of Michigan. In addition to working with a myriad of organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Volunteers of America, and Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Garden Project they put on fundraising events of their own each semester to benefit different groups in the community. I recently volunteered with SRM at the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, which works to create a home away from home for families of hospitalized children at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. A group of us went and made dinner and dessert to give families a taste of home cooking for when they returned from the hospital. While we were there, we were lucky enough to get a tour of the Ronald McDonald House and then meet some of the families staying there. By taking a few hours out of our day and cooking a single meal we were able to provide these families a little sense of normalcy.

Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping others when volunteering, it is also a great way to network and build relationships with organizations and your fellow Spartans. With our busy lives, it can seem nearly impossible to find time to volunteer. However, I have found that I have benefited just as much as the people I have volunteered to help. SRM has helped me make new friends and feel connected to the community in a way that I have not before. If anyone is looking for an opportunity to volunteer or meet new people I highly recommend taking a few hours out of your semester to do so, it is definitely worth it!

Gabriela

Sophomore

IR & PTCD

Planning to make the most of JMC

            Upon coming to Michigan State, I had no idea what time my here would be like in terms of my college. I came in with many interests, and I wanted to find a way to fit all of them in my academic program. For how many interests I had, it was definitely a daunting task. Fortunately, Michigan State and James Madison have a great advising system in place. More specifically, James Madison has a great first-year advisors. I am sure the first time I met with my advisor she thought I was crazy, but she was really helpful in mapping out what my future at MSU could like. One of the most helpful things I did was to make a four year plan. At the time we made it, my advisor told me that it was going to change. I didn’t believe her. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh because I don’t know why I thought I had it all figured out.

            The four year plan really helped me get an idea of everything that I could do while at MSU and served as a helpful guide when it came to planning courses each semester. After my freshman year, I ended up with an African studies and an International Development specialization added to my program. Adding on these specializations really helped me narrow down which classes in Madison would be the best for me. Now, everyone doesn’t have to do a specialization or even minors (I’m minoring in French), but they are really helpful for getting creative with your academic program.

            Now, I must mention that at MSU, depending on what you choose to do, it’s not likely that you’ll have just one advisor. I meet with advisors for French, African studies, International Development, and the Honors College. It sounds like that might add a lot to my schedule but there are no requirements with meeting with them. It’s all on an as needed basis, and let me tell you, they are extremely helpful when you need them! They are honestly there to help every step of the way- especially through any changes that come through your academic program (i.e. picking up or dropping a major). Also, if you’re lucky to get close enough to your advisor, they’ll help keep you on track and be a listening ear. They just want to see you succeed!

            Of course, it is always a great feeling when you go to your advisor and get good news. I remember when I was meeting with one of my advisors at the beginning of this school year, and she asked me if I would be graduating soon. I was 100% shocked, but it turns out that somehow my four year plan had change to a three and half year plan. I definitely didn’t see this coming as a freshman, but I am truly grateful for all the support my advisors have given me over the years. With their help, I have been able to get the most that I can out of my time hear at Michigan State. 

Florence

Junior

IR 

Career Exposure Trips

The Career Services office at James Madison College has copious amount of opportunities for professional development within the college. One opportunity I have been dreaming of since freshman year was to attend the Career Exposure Trip to Washington, D.C. and I had the amazing chance to attend it this past spring break! It also meant a lot to me that my freshman year I attended the trip to Chicago put on by James Madison College with my best friend and my friend and I were also chosen to attend this trip together.

I can say with complete confidence that by going on this trip I strengthened friendships, set goals for myself, and was inspired and motivated. Sure, I went to D.C. in middle school and on a family trip, but this time around I saw the city in a whole new light with potential careers. I also met people with incredible accomplishments who are also James Madison alums. Hearing about the variety of careers in D.C. from JMC alums and being a 3^rd year in college, the reality of me ending up in this city really changed my view of the place. One of the greatest things about this trip was being able to talk to JMC alums in casual and formal settings and listen to their advice and experiences on getting to D.C. Listening to the advice also made the goal of working in D.C. more attainable and realistic regardless of how I would get there. I also enjoyed experiencing an environment of scholarly people who want to impact the world and listening to alums who genuinely want to help us succeed in the future if we end up in D.C.

I also knew quite a few people going on the trip, but I did not expect to bond so well with them throughout the week. We had deep talks about our dreams, interests, and it became a morale-boosting support group, which is what I called them during the last few days. When I would learn something from an alum that affected my decisions, I would talk to one of my friends and then a few others would join the conversation and it became a group of us encouraging each other to aim high and make the best decisions. I have been telling people if you can think of a city that you have visited and you feel like you belong that this is how I felt. I cannot wait to return and take advantage of any opportunity to get back there some day.

Monica

Junior

IR and Media & Information Technology

Working on Campus

College is expensive. Fortunately, Michigan State is a great place to find a job while you’re taking classes! Working on campus has a lot of benefits- no commute, flexible scheduling to work around your class schedule, and being surrounded by other Spartans! I also think having a job helps me with time management, which is a really important skill to have in college. I currently work in the Office of Admissions and I LOVE my job as a campus tour guide! I’ve gotten to meet and work with really cool people and nothing makes me happier than getting to show visitors our beautiful campus. Did you know Michigan State has 98 miles of sidewalk?!  What’s great about working on campus is that there is a perfect job for everyone here. I have friends who work in research labs, coffee shops, bookstores, dining halls, tutoring centers, and numerous other places. So if you’re looking for a way to help pay for college, gain work experience, or meet new people, consider getting a job on campus! Check out www.myspartancareer.com and follow @internatstate on twitter, too!

Come visit campus for a tour!

Alexa

Sophomore

SRP 

Spring Break Beyond the Comfort Zone

For spring break, I went on a study away trip to Friday Harbor, Washington, a small town located in the San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea. I spent a week at the Friday Harbor Laboratories run by the University of Washington studying the history of the station, the marine biological life studied by scientists, and the unique career paths that people take that bring them to this beautiful island. I also made an incredible set of new friends and discovered life beyond my comfort zone.

Before I went on this trip, I knew nothing about marine biology. I did not consider myself an outdoorsy person at all. I liked exploring busy cities, going to museums, and seeing musicals. I had heard that this trip involved lots of hiking and time spent in the laboratory, and I worried that it would be obvious that I was out of my element.

But my nerves at seeming out of place were unfounded. The scientists at the labs and the residents of the island were incredibly welcoming and warm. They recognized that the students on the trip were from all different majors and backgrounds, and they emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary work. We collected samples of small marine creatures from the docks and observed how they suctioned on to hard and smooth surfaces in the lab. I never knew it could be so fascinating and fun to play with starfish and barnacles!

Collecting animals stuck to tires on the docks.

I also did not realize how much I would enjoy hiking and exploring the lab grounds. The beaches were rocky and the shores were steep, but that did not deter our group from thoroughly exploring the island. We scrambled over rocks, discovered caves, and climbed over fallen trees. At the end of every day I was exhausted and muddy, but I feel asleep with a smile on my face.

The view from the top of Mt. Constitution

The greatest part of the trip was the other MSU students. We were a diverse group—our majors ranged from international relations to fisheries and wildlife to neuroscience, and our ages ranged from freshmen to seniors. But throughout the week, we developed a supportive group dynamic and wonderful friendships.

We learned about each other’s interests and majors, as well as our backgrounds and families. We told stories as we made s’mores over a huge fire and played board games and ping pong well into the night. On this trip, I learned how to skip rocks and shoot pool. I also realized that the best people to learn with and from are my fellow students.

What I really discovered on this trip was the purpose and beauty of being in college. This trip forced me out of my comfort zone. I met new people and had incredible experiences that made me a better person and helped me focus on what was really important in my life. College is a time to explore, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to travel to these beautiful islands and push my own boundaries.

Claire

Sophomore

IR & SRP

Where do we go from here?

Following up on my last post about graduation, I thought I would write really quickly about what types of careers my friends have gone on to in their first year out of JMC. I feel like I have a unique perspective as a fifth year senior in Madison. A large majority of students graduate from the college in four years, which means this year I've been able to see how many of my friends have launched their career paths right from my facebook newsfeed. Here's a little sample of what some of my friends have gone on to do in their first year after graduation (I included the person's major at the end of the line):

• Pilot in the US Air Force (IR)
• Staffer for MI Governor Rick Snyder (PTCD)
• Elementary School Teacher with Teach for America in Detroit and Houston (SRP)
• Staff Member at a non-profit in northern Michigan (SRP)
• Campus Coordinator for a Boston non-profit (CCP, IR)
• Student teacher at a mid-Michigan high school (PTCD, Secondary Education)*
• Accounting staff member at Goodyear Tires (SRP, Accounting)
• Community & Volunteer Organizer at a non-profit in Detroit (SRP)
• Economic Analyst for the State of Michigan (IR, Economics)
• Project Manager at a political consulting firm in Washington, D.C. (SRP)
• Graduate School at University of Miami, Ohio (PTCD)
• Cast Member at Walt Disney World (IR)
• Corps Member with City Year Detroit (SRP)
• Tax Associate at a national accounting firm (IR, Finance)
• Staff member at Georgia-Pacific (IR)
• Staffer at the MI Department of Community Health (SRP)

*My friend who is student teaching is fulfilling this requirement for the MSU College of Education

This is just a sample of my friend network (this list is slightly SRP-heavy because I'm friends with many more SRP majors - that's my major as well). As you can see, there's no cookie cutter career path for Madison grads. My friends have gone on to work for campaigns, political offices, lobbying firms, giant corporations, small non-profits, public school, and everything in between. As for myself, I am going to work for a public accounting firm in Detroit. 

In my opinion, the most important part of a Madison education are the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills students gain throughout their time here. Those are skills that are transferrable to any job in any industry. My critical thinking and communication skills helped me the most in my two accounting internships. If you're able to sell yourself and those critical skills in a job interview, you could literally go anywhere in the world! 

For more examples of careers chosen by JMC grads, feel free to check out the Careers section of the JMC Website! This page has awesome graduate reports, collected by our dedicated career consultant, which break down the students who go to on to graduate school, law school, and the work force. It includes many examples of positions held by recent JMC grads as well as salary and geographic information. 

Becky 

Senior

SRP & Accounting

Approaching Graduation

My name is Becky and I'm a 5th year senior at MSU. I'm majoring in Social Relations & Policy in JMC as well as in Accounting within the Eli Broad College of Business. My goal after I graduate is to become a CPA, which is why I had to stay for five years (I had to get to 150 credit hours...blah blah blah...lots of accounting particulars). I wasn't too upset about an extra year in college because it gave me the opportunity to take some more interesting classes. It also gave me an extra year of Spartan Marching Band and Spartan sports.

As my final semester begins at MSU, I thought I would write a blog about the graduation experience at MSU.

The first step in my graduation journey was actually applying for graduation. I received an email from the Registrar's Office telling me that I had taken enough credits to be considered for graduation. At MSU, your application for graduation lets the university know that you're in your last semester and you plan to complete your degree. Once I applied (a quick and painless process), advisors in both JMC and the business college were notified and they began checking my requirements. I'm happy to say that I have completed all of my degree requirements and I'm all set to graduate!

Now that I've applied and been accepted for graduation, I have to focus on passing all of my classes. It wouldn't do me much good if I failed a course in my final semester. My personal goal is to graduate with Honors, meaning my GPA is in the top 20% of students in my graduating class. I think this goal should keep me motivated for my last semester. I'm taking several classes that I am passionate about, including a tax policy and business law. It's my hope that interesting classes will prevent senioritis from setting in.

Later on this spring, there are several senior-themed events that I can attend. There are several senior award banquets hosted by my colleges and the university. MSU also hosts a "Senior Week" at the end of the semester that is full of events to celebrate the upcoming graduation season. It includes helping seniors physically prepare for graduation with cap & gown sales and class ring sales. Senior Week also helps graduating students check items off their MSU bucket list with tours of Beaumont tower, opportunities to sign "The Rock" on Farm Lane, and free samples of Dairy Store ice cream to name a few.

The last semester is a very nostalgic one for any one who is planning to graduate. Already I've caught myself thinking "This is the last time I'm going to..." or "How many more times am I going to get to experience...?" It's easy to get caught up in the bittersweet side of graduation, but I think it's important to savor the time that I have left on campus instead of mourning the four years that have already passed.

The actual graduation weekend is a very exciting time. The air is full of accomplishment and possibility. There is a commencement ceremony on the Friday of graduation week, where the graduates are addressed by the President of MSU and a special commencement speaker. The degrees are conferred separate graduation ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday. Each college has their own ceremony over the weekend, meaning I have the option of attending both James Madison and Broad College of Business graduation ceremonies.

After the JMC graduation, the college hosts a reception in Case Hall, which is a nice spot for families to take pictures and celebrate the graduates.

Though the prospect of leaving MSU is a little scary, I am mainly excited for my graduation. I'm fortunate to have a job lined up for the fall with an accounting firm in Detroit, which is a great relief. I also know that even if I don't call East Lansing my home, the Spartan community will have my back wherever I go!

Becky
Senior
SRP & Accounting