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

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 

A Challenge of Dexterity

      I love to be challenged in everything I do. For me, I have always felt that it is good to keep a balance between the mind and the body. One of the ways I do this is through Parkour. Before I arrived at Michigan State, if anyone would have asked me if I could imagine myself doing Parkour, my exact words would have been “you're nuts.” Just thinking about doing most of it would make me cringe. I like both living and staying in good health, so Parkour was not on the top of my agenda.

               

      The crazy thing is, when I arrived at Michigan State University my entire mindset changed. All I saw in front of me was this new world. I wanted to try everything and find out what exactly I like to do.

              

       After Sparticipation, an event where all of the student clubs at MSU have tables and host info sessions, my head began to spin. There were so many different things that I found so interesting: what would I try. But then on my way out, I spotted the Parkour club. I signed up thinking “why not?”

       Then one Friday I woke up and checked my email, and they sent me a practice time. I went thinking that it would be a one-time thing; but in no time I was hooked. Before I knew it I was jumping on and off of ledges and doing things that most kids would need a parental advisory for. “Don’t try this at home kids.” I loved the way I felt after and I began to do things that most people dream of doing. The interesting thing is that it was nowhere near as dangerous or impossible as it may look. There are coaches and trainers that have been doing it for years and helped me step by step, and still are. It is so much fun, and I recommend that anyone in college take full advantage of everything at their disposal; you might just find something you love. I know I did.  

David

Freshman

Quidditch at MSU!

     One of my favorite organizations that I am in is the Michigan State University Spartan Quidditch club. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “From Harry Potter?” “Do you use brooms?” “Do you really fly?” and “That’s for nerds.” To answer your questions and to agree with your statement: Yes. Yes. Have you heard of brooms that can actually fly? I think not. And yes I am somewhat of a nerd, but don’t we all have a little bit of nerdiness within ourselves? Let me tell you a little bit more about the club. It is a full contact co-ed sport, with three different types of balls, a quaffle, three bludgers, and a snitch. The club itself has two entities; the first one is the club itself, where people get together, hangout and bond. The second part is the travel team. The travel team goes to tournaments all across the Midwest and the nation. By doing this I have gotten the opportunity to have great bonding experiences with my teammates and meet great people that attend other universities across the nation.

      

MSU Quidditch Team

      This club takes up a good amount of my free time, but that is only because I love it so much, and I allow it to. This club has helped me establish a lot of close friends; I never knew I was capable of having. Since I am from Memphis, Tennessee I did not know a single person at Michigan State, let alone, in the state of Michigan, aside from some friend’s grandmas that I had never met. Because of this, my first week of school was a little rough. But luckily I got involved with this club. The members of this club have become what I call my, “Michigan State Family.” I call them that because we have been through thick and thin, and I know they will always be there for me when I need them. So, if you’re an out of state student, or even in state, worried about making friends when you get here, my advice to you is to be active and get involved, because it is really easy to a Michigan State Family of your own.

Brandon

Sophomore

CCP & Film Studies

Finding a home away from home

       Coming to college, I knew I wanted to be involved in extracurricular activities. In high school I was involved in everything- sports, band, theatre, church, service clubs- you name it. In college, I really wanted to find organizations that were meaningful and would help me grow as a student, a leader, and as a person in general. Freshman year, I made two of the best decisions of my life: going Greek and applying to be a Resident Assistant.

       Both of these roles are a big commitment, and I am so happy to be able to pour so much of myself into them. Greek life at Michigan State is such a great community of dedicated, fun, and service-oriented students. I am proud to call myself a Delta Gamma, and in my sorority I have truly found my home away from home. Our philanthropy is Service for Sight, and through Delta Gamma I have been able to volunteer at the Penrickton Center for Blind Children, raise money to produce braille materials, and provide support for members of our armed forces returning with visual impairments. Here on campus, we cheer on teams at our annual Anchor Splash and Anchor Slam tournaments, participate in East Lansing’s Safe Halloween event, and walk all night at MSU’s Relay for Life. Whether it is at a philanthropy event, a chapter meeting or just a movie night at the house, I love spending time with my sisters and I know they are always there for me. I am so glad I found such a great way to get involved in the community and find my best friends!

       

My Delta Gamma sisters in front of our house

       When deciding to be a Resident Assistant, I knew that it would be a huge responsibility. Just going through the interview process was intimidating, let alone the prospect of having fifty residents and being their mentor and go-to resource. Now that we are part way into the school year, I can honestly say that I have the best job. The interpersonal and leadership skills, time management, and responsibility I have gained from this position amazes me. It has been the most rewarding experience to help new Spartans adjust to living at MSU and work through all of the ups and downs of college life. Getting involved was one of the best ways I was able to make MSU my home, so I make it my goal as an RA to encourage my residents to find the extracurriculars that will help them grow during their time here, just as I have.

The 2014 Akers RA staff

        While academics are the main purpose of coming to college, I believe extracurricular involvement is what makes these years so meaningful. Whether it’s a sports team, cultural group, or any organization you choose to be a part of, I hope everyone finds what makes them happy and helps them become the best version of themselves.

Alexa

Sophomore

SRP

Getting Involved in the Honors College

          Since I have been at Michigan State, I have had the opportunity to be a part of several great student organizations. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the Honors College Dean’s Advisory Council. I have been an active member since the beginning of my freshman year. During the second semester, I was appointed to be the Public Relations officer. Now, I am going on my second year as the President. You might be wondering what it is about such an organization that has kept me involved. Well, I have to say that as an Honors College member an organization like this is quite important because the whole honors college student body needs representatives. At the same time, the Dean and the rest of the staff need to know what the students think. Ultimately, what we do as a council is what makes this organization great. In addition to basically being the “changemakers” within the honors college, we have grown close as a membership, and I have several good friends that I probably would not have otherwise.

            As I am writing this post, I feel weird just naming one organization that has be an amazing part of my MSU experience. I have not necessarily been the best at narrowing things down. When I first came to MSU, I was overwhelmed with knowing that there were over 600 student organizations here. I was sure that there was an organization for almost every interest that I had. As a result, I kind of went crazy at Sparticipation (an annual event where all the student organizations have tables set up for new and returning students to see what they do). I was involved in way more organizations that I can handle! In retrospect, joining all those groups helped me figure out what I was truly passionate about. I will say that you shouldn’t even worry about finding extracurriculars or clubs to get involved with! There are more than you know here, but I will say don’t be too eager because you might end up in over your head (like me!) freshman year!! At the end of the day, extracurriculars and clubs are definitely some of the best parts of your MSU experience (especially if you are an international or out-of state student- you get to me lots and I mean lots of people!). I hope that if you any of you decide to attend MSU, you find yourself involved in some pretty great organizations.

Florence

Junior

IR & PTCD 

Living and Learning in Case Hall

My favorite part of my freshmen year were my midterms. To most students, this sounds crazy. Who actually enjoys taking exams?

But the reason I liked midterm season so much was because I loved working with my friends around me. Many of the other students on my floor were in James Madison, and all Madison freshmen took MC 201, Intro to the Study of Public Affairs, together. Therefore, we were all reading the same books, listening to the same professors, and discussing the same concepts in section. We bonded over this class, and we used each other as resources.

I visited office hours for my professors and read the material closely, but what helped me the most was discussing the lectures and readings with my classmates. We bounced ideas off of each other and edited each other’s essays. We speculated about what the paper prompts might be and shared our opinions about the material. Studying and working together built a sense of camaraderie and boosted our GPAs at the same time.

There are many wonderful parts of Case Hall--the lovely dining hall, the convenient classrooms, the location. But the best part is that there are friends, peers, and resources everywhere you look.

Claire
Sophomore

South Pointe Dining Hall at Case

 Photo Courtesy of MSU Communication and Branding Strategy

A Freshman's Perspective

Throughout my first two semesters within the James Madison College, I have experienced many ups and downs. But there is something that has made the downs worth it, for example, the classroom experience.  My classroom experiences within these first two semesters have been amazing. These experiences have helped me bond and connect with other James Madison students, mostly over political jargon.  One of the great things about these classes is the size.  Since these classes are smaller than most on campus, they promote a community atmosphere that inspires teamwork and friendship.

When I started my second semester, I already knew that the friends I made in MC 201 and 111 are going to be friends I can rely on for the next three years of my college career.  I love this aspect of James Madison because it creates a close knit community of people that share so many things in common.

I also enjoy this format of classes because it is a better style for discussion-based teaching and learning. It makes it easier for the students to interact with the material, while the professor is still able to stay on task throughout the entire class session.  This also creates a prime environment for in depth analysis and research, it also provides enough one-on-one time for professor and student interactions within the allotted time of class.

As of this far, these two classes and the format of classes within James Madison have created great experiences that I will not soon forget.

Brandon

Freshman

A Look Back at Freshman Year

Starting off my first year I only knew a few people that would be in James Madison with me and let me tell you, I hoped that they would be on my floor. However, as I got my room assignments I was surprisingly pleased that only one person I knew was on my floor. The reason? It gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and make friends that would last me a lifetime. Even today, as a senior, I see people from my floor my freshman year and I am so excited to see where they are now and reminisce over all the good times that we shared and all the new experiences that we went through together as freshmen.

Living in Case as a freshman is one of my favorite things about the first year experience.  We are able to knock on the door next to us if we need help on a homework assignment, since every JMC Freshman takes the same courses.This made it easy to get help and make a few friends while I was at it. Freshman year is truly unforgettable. It is the first time you are separated from your parents and really on your own and it is also when you begin your journey into adulthood. You can make a name for yourself, join clubs that were never offered at your high school, play sports that you aren't great at, but always wanted to be on the varsity team back in the day. Playing co-ed soccer with my floor my freshman year was so much fun, we all walked to the games together, hung out with one another after the games and just had a good time.

Lisa
Senior
International Relations
Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy Minor

Alumni Career Day

I have been in James Madison for two years, and these two years have been great! When I was asked to write a piece on what my favorite JMC memory has been so far, I thought I wouldn't be able to choose. From the friends I've made to the professors to the classes to the opportunities, I've been more than pleased with what JMC has to offer. That being said, I was finally able to choose my favorite memory. That memory is..... wait for it... JMC Alumni Career Day. Now, you might be wondering why that is and why on earth that would be my favorite memory over a class, paper assignment, field experience, or anything else. Well, I'll tell you why!

Alumni career day is an annual event hosted by JMC's career services office. In my last two years, our career consultant, Jaimie Hutchison has put together great events. At Alumni Career Day, several Madison alumni come back to Case for an afternoon full of events where they talk to current students about what they're doing, how they got there, and what their Madison experience did for them. Through panels and presentations, students have the chance to learn so much! I've had the chance to meet people who work in almost every field I'm interested in. From lawyers to a USAID service officer to a UNFPA Programme Specialist to someone who works with refugees, I've had the chance to make great connections with some pretty cool alumni! This is due to one of the most important parts of the event - the networking reception. I remember this part from my freshman year. I was so nervous! This year I had another try, and it was great.

Through JMC Alumni Career day, I have had the chance to learn more about myself and my interests, learn about several opportunities out there, and get some great professional development experience and tips from an alumni. This event has been a part of JMC that I will always cherish. I have no idea what Alumni career day could do for me, but I do know that I'm super excited to attend it in my last two years here at MSU. Should you choose to attend MSU, you don't want to miss out on this great event!!!!!


Florence
International Relations
Sophomore

Hunting For Internships

Hello Everyone,

We apologize for our absence from the blogging world over the past few months. We're going to kick off our new series of blogs with a post from Erica, who just returned from interning at the U.S. Department of State during the fall. Here's what she has to say:

Hello blogging community, my name is Erica and I’m a senior double majoring in International Relations and Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy through James Madison College at MSU. It’s hard to believe that I am working my way through my final undergraduate semester. These past 4 years have flown by faster than I thought possible, but I’ve done all I can do to make the most of my Spartan experience. With graduation quickly approaching I've been filling out lots of applications and am trying to figure out what my life will look like post-MSU.

As daunting as this task is I have to say that James Madison College’s required Field Experience has provided me with a great foundation for the career hunt. James Madison College students are required to complete a field experience or study abroad for credit once they reach junior status. These experiences help students take their learning outside the classroom and apply their skills to real world scenarios. I have been fortunate enough to complete multiple study abroad programs and internships and each of them has been an eye-opening experience. However, my most recent experience during the 2013 Fall Semester was the internship I chose to use for my Field Experience.

I made the choice to spend my fall semester off campus in order to complete my program. Many students complete their internships during the summer sessions or stay in the Lansing area, but I relocated to Washington, D.C. and took the opportunity to intern with the U.S. Department of State. The experience was almost surreal, but it couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for my studies and academic interests. I moved down to Washington, D.C. at the end of August, just as many of my peers were beginning their classes at MSU. During my 14 weeks in D.C. I was still enrolled as an MSU student but instead of attending classes I was working 40 hours a week. The shift into the work environment was not unknown to me, having worked as a student employee at MSU, but I’ll admit that is was a little odd not going home and having homework to complete. Instead I stayed busy maintaining my connections with student groups at MSU while also building numerous new friendships and connections in the D.C. area. I explored the city on weekends and tried to soak up all D.C. had to offer…which included a great Spartan network that bonded over MSU Football at the local MSU bar.

At the conclusion of the internship I was required to write a couple of papers reflecting on my experience and what I have learned. While the papers have been helpful in processing all the things I did over the 14 weeks in D.C., I think one of the biggest lessons I learned was the perseverance of applying to internships in the first place. During the spring of my junior year I applied to countless internship programs. I felt like all I did was constantly edit my resume and cover letter and more often than not I would send off my application and never hear back. However, as I return to the application process—now for full-time positions—I appreciate the countless hours I spent on applications last year. Now, not only do I have practice with application and interview skills, but I can discuss the various projects and assignments I have completed during my internships. And better yet I know that while it may take hours upon hours of applications, success is possible. 

Erica
Senior
IR & PTCD 

From Mississippi to Madison: Out of State Perspective

“Where are you going to school?” “Michigan State.” “Oh wow, that’s far. It’s cold up there, isn’t it?” Now, if I had a dollar for how many times I had this conversation my senior year of high school, I probably would far from the mark of the typical broke college student. Unfortunately, that’s not how the world works, so here I am in Michigan…in the cold…and far from home. I am from Hattiesburg, Mississippi! Most people haven’t heard of this city, but if you’re at least familiar with the Gulf Coast (Gulfport/Biloxi), it’s an hour north of there. You might be wondering, “Why is she at Michigan State?” Well there are a lot of answers to that question, but the biggest things for me were the Honors College and James Madison College. I knew that between the two, Michigan State was the place for me. The decision to come here was pretty easy after I visited here a couple of times. I literally fell in love with campus and everything that MSU was about. I knew I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. Fortunately, everything worked out, and here I am having the time of my life. 

I believe that being an out of state student has shaped my experience here at MSU by pushing beyond my limits and out of my comfort zone. These two things are something that anybody should aim to do during their college years, but I had to do so from the very beginning. I didn’t know anybody here, and I also knew as much about MSU and East Lansing as I was told during my visits. When I first got up here, I had the choice to either put myself out there to try and make friend while getting familiar with the area or keeping to myself. I chose the former, and I am glad I did. Beyond all this, being from Mississippi definitely makes breaking the ice easy! I already have so much to talk about with someone because Mississippians aren’t all over the place here in Michigan. 

Of course, with any good comes the bad, but it’s not too bad. As an out of state student, most of my time is spent here in East Lansing during the school year. Some out of state students go home for thanksgiving break, but since it is so short, most choose to stay on campus. The other breaks are lengthy enough, but the issue comes in when you just want to get away from campus for a weekend- you really can’t. With that comes tip number #1, make friends who live in Michigan!!! It can really come in handy sometimes, but I believe the lack of ability to have a regular change of scenery made the madison transition a little harder because being around JMC, Case, and other madison students is already a regular thing, but it is even more of a big deal if you’re out of state because you’re around it 99% of the time. For me, it took some adjusting to that because sometimes I would just want to get away for a bit, so I’d end up just getting frustrated with having the same scene all the time. This is probably the worst thing that comes along with being an out of state student in Madison. Other than that, it’s pretty cool! As an out of state student, especially since I’m from the south, I bring a different perspective on issues that are being discussed in class. You could do the exact same!

I know that when planning to go to school out of state from wherever you live, there are always a lot of people who don’t think it’s the best idea or even try to talk you out of it. Tip #2- Do what you think is best for you! I know would have missed out on so much had I let the distance or fear of the cold or anything else keep me from attending MSU. That being said, if you’re out of state and considering coming to Michigan State, I highly recommend it (no surprise there!). I do have some suggestions though. 

1- Allow yourself to miss home. You don’t need to act like to don’t miss it in order to stay afloat here. It’s natural, so let nature run its course!

2- Try to make friends and get involved/plugged in as soon as you can!

3- Try joining clubs or groups that feature some traveling because it’s nice to get away from East Lansing whenever you can (Ex. I joined MSUIRO which is the competitive Model UN team here, and I was able to go to Philadelphia last fall for a conference! It was great)

4- Don’t forget about friends back home! It’s hard to manage the friendships from far away, but they are essentially your easily accessible to key to home next to your family. It’s definitely manageable to balance friendships here and at home.

5- Don’t let being an out of state student hold you back from ANYTHING! Once you come to MSU, you are just like everybody else here- an MSU student. The fact that you’re not from around here shouldn’t mean at thing!

6- Finally, this is the biggest thing. Remember that you’re at MSU because you want something from MSU. Whatever that might be go and get it and chase after it constantly! You’re here for a reason, so shine bright :)

Florence 

Sophomore 

International Relations and Comparative Cultures & Politics 

Easing the Transition: Freshman Seminars Abroad

                In the August before I started my freshman year at Michigan State University, I decided to apply to go on a Freshman Study Abroad to Salvador, Brazil. I wanted to the chance to meet professors, especially because the two professors going on the trip taught for James Madison College, where I would be attending. I also thought it'd be helpful to get to know other new students who shared similar interests, like traveling, as me. The application process for the FSA wasn't very difficult, but I had developed convincing arguments about the benefits of study abroad to persuade my parents into supporting my trip. I was accepted into the program, and convinced my parents studying abroad would be largely advantageous for me. I quickly grasped that my dream of traveling outside the country (further than Canada, that is) would soon become a reality. I was very nervous in the weeks leading up to my departure; I didn't know anyone else who I would be traveling and spending two weeks with. However, I realized that this mirrored what my transition to MSU would be like.

                My time in Brazil was filled with the befriending of my fellow students, many who were also entering James Madison, exploring the city and culture of Salvador, and building up a relationship with my professor. The schoolwork was not overwhelming, but it gave me a fair idea of the level of writing that was expected of students in James Madison. It definitely helped to prepare me for the work in college.  I loved the opportunity to meet and talk with students who were in the same place in their lives as I was. We were able to discuss what we were excited about for MSU and our fears about roommates and classes. This helped to dilute my own worries about the future, since I knew that other people were also nervous. When I returned back home, and had to wait two weeks before entering college, I could hardly wait. Traveling independently abroad gave me a taste for freedom that made me even more eager to come to MSU. Now being a freshman at MSU, I realize more than ever how beneficial my study abroad to Brazil truly was. It gave me the confidence to explore an entirely new place on my own, which smoothed my transition into college and also made me more open to trying new experiences.

Ellery

Freshman 

Love of Languages

Like many students who enter James Madison College, a love of learning languages and cultures was a motivating factor in the direction of my higher education. While I have always intended to major in International Relations and Comparative Cultures and Politics, I knew that I wanted to continue learning the foreign language that I had developed a love for: Spanish. Upon arriving at the university, I completed my Madison language requirement using Spanish and continued to take Spanish classes for my first two years at MSU.

However, I made a drastic decision and picked up a new language for the Fall of my 2^nd year: Portuguese. As a language that is rarely (if ever) taught at the primary and secondary education levels in most American school districts, Portuguese may appear as a random decision for many. However, for others it makes complete sense. Brazil is a rising nation in every aspect of today’s world, which will be very visible in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Summer Olympic Games that the South American nation will host. In addition to this growing importance, the similarity yet difference that the language had to Spanish was enticing, as was the fact that it is a rarely studied language in American society, which I hope will set me apart when I begin applying for jobs after graduation.

Like many other languages at MSU, Portuguese is fortunate in that it has a smaller more intimate department at the University, meaning a strong community is formed and a support network is personalized. This fact, in addition to my love for learning the language, encouraged me to adopt Portuguese as a minor despite the fact that I had already studied a different language for a full year.

This decision, however, will not force me to stay over four years in undergraduate education and in fact opened an entirely new opportunity to me: studying abroad in Brazil. While the program that James Madison College offers in Brazil is conducted in English, the fact that I was learning Portuguese and would have a year under my belt during the program encouraged me to apply and really enjoy my time spent abroad. I had the valuable experience of both attending a Madison study abroad program while emerging myself in a culture that I hope to one day become a part of. This had many benefits, including background and contextual education that allows me to both use my Madison class in my language courses as well as the other way around.

My decision to adopt Portuguese as a minor is a decision that I continue to be pride of and I hope will pay off in the future. While every student is different and has unique ambitions, I would encourage any student who wishes to further round out their education to pursue a language they enjoy beyond what is required of them.

Danny B.

Junior, Comparative Cultures & Politics and International Relations

Mixing Madison & Business

They say you're not supposed to mix business with pleasure, right? Well in my case, I mix the two every day! I am a senior double majoring in social relations & policy and accounting. While I have been a James Madison Student since my freshman year, I decided about halfway through my time at MSU that I did not want to pursue a career in public policy. However, I enjoyed my JMC classes so much that I didn't want to give them up! That's when I decided to double major in accounting and SRP. It added a year on to my graduation date, but the benefits of two strong degrees made the extra time worth it.

Freshman Year Schedule - MC 201/202 & MC 111/112 are first year JMC courses

In the spring of my freshman year, I officially declared myself a double major in social relations & policy and political theory & constitutional democracy. I had enjoyed my first year Madison courses and I really liked some of the PTCD professors. However, after taking my first full PTCD course, I decided that the topics in that major didn't suit my interests. I decided to drop my PTCD major, but still wanted to pursue two majors at MSU. At my mom's suggestion, I tried out an accounting course in the spring of my sophomore year. I really enjoyed my introductory accounting course and decided to pursue my second degree in accounting.

Sophomore Year Schedule - MC 280/281 are SRP, MC 270 is PTCD

The Eli Broad College of Business is a separate college from James Madison (although it is still a part of Michigan State University). This means they have a separate admissions process for their college. Students must take five prerequisite courses (Accounting 201 & 202, Economics 201 & 202, and Computer Science 101) in addition to filling out an experiential profile and completing a case study. Once students reach junior status and have completed these prerequisite courses, they can apply to be official members of the college. I had already completed honors classes in Economics 201 & 202 for my JMC requirements, so I only had to complete the accounting and computer perquisites before I could apply. I submitted my application in the fall of my junior year and was accept over winter break. Now I am officially a member of James Madison College and the Eli Broad College of Business, which means I will get two separate B.A.s when I graduate.

Junior Year Schedule - I crammed in a TON of classes. In retrospect, this was a little bit too much!

It's important to note that in taking on two rigorous programs like JMC and an accounting degree, I added a full year on to my academic plan. I will be graduating after 5 full years at MSU. This happened for a couple reasons:
1) I decided late in my sophomore year that I wanted to add a business major.
 2) I would like to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) when I graduate, which means I had to take some extra classes to qualify to take the CPA exam.
3) After taking 17 credits per semester my junior year, I decided that I did not want to overload myself with coursework, so I spread out my remaining classes in a way that I will only take 12 credits per semester my last two years.

1st Senior Year Schedule - I backed off a lot on the credits. This is giving me more time to focus on harder classes!

If you're interested in combining JMC and a degree from a different college, there is probably a way you can still finish in four years. If the four year plan is something you want to stick with, make sure you're constantly meeting with your advisers in JMC and in the Business College to keep track of your progress and your requirements!

After completing an accounting internship with Marathon Petroleum this past summer, I decided that when I graduate I would like to pursue accounting full-time. This does not mean that my SRP degree is pointless! The main reason I continued with Madison is because of the critical writing and thinking skills that are taught in the college. My Madison courses have helped me become a very strong communicator, which is valued in every job. During my internship this past summer, my supervisors complimented my communication skills and my professionalism when conveying information in the work place. My technical accounting skills came from my accounting coursework, but my ability to breakdown a problem, analyze it, and then convey it in an email when asking for help was all thanks to JMC. I believe these communication skills will be even more helpful when I complete a tax internship with Plante & Moran (a regional accounting firm) next summer.

Taking on an additional major outside of JMC definitely comes with its challenges. It forced me to be very organized and creative in the way I planned my schedules. I meet with advisers in both of my colleges at least once per semester to make sure I am still on track for graduation. However, the benefits of being part of two very strong programs at MSU have helped me solidify my career path and attain multiple internships. These benefits are not reserved only for students double majoring in Madison and Business; they apply across all of the other colleges at MSU. Students are free to double major between any two colleges they wish. So if you prefer International Relations and Music Education, or Political Theory and Biology, go for it! The key is being aware of the programs you're entering and making sure that you truly enjoy both of them. I love both of my majors - accounting satisfies my need for problems that have concrete solutions and can be figured out logically, SRP allows me to be creative when I try to analyze and solve problems in social policy. This is what works for me, so don't be afraid to go after the combination that works for you!


Becky B.
Senior, Social Relations & Policy and Accounting