JMC Student Senate

Part of making the best as a student in Madison is being involved outside of class. It helps to build friendships as well as an out of classroom learning experience. For me, being involved means being in a student organization. As a sophomore I was elected to the James Madison College Student Senate. JMCSS is a student led body which works to better the Madison community and to foster relationships between students, professors, and alumnus.

Since I joined, I have been part of putting on academic events through student senate which include the Alumni pizza night in which students meet graduated Madison students and discuss life after college in a non-formal setting. I have also helped with the Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy field party. Each major has a field party, which allows professors to interact in a social setting with current students, as well as students who have not yet chosen a major. The event is my favorite because many good discussions have happened between my peers, professors, and I about subjects otherwise completely mundane to our studies.

Our largest annual event is the James Madison Charity Ball. Each year a candidate is nominated and honored by the college and students, while proceeds go to the honoree’s charity of choice. This is a great opportunity to socialize with students across all the Madison majors as well as professors and faculty, many of whom give heartfelt speeches about things dear to them about Madison (namely that year’s honoree). The music, food, and happy atmosphere make the event an unforgettable evening of fun. It really makes being involved in James Madison worthwhile.

Being a college student can be difficult. Constant vigilance is required to maintain good study habits. Having a good work ethic is only part of the equation though. Relaxation and being social are also key. Getting involved in any way in James Madison or at MSU in general is a great way to meet new people and take a break from school. For me, that outlet is James Madison Student Senate, but there are countless options to choose from at Michigan State.   

Jeremy

Junior 

PTCD

Finding the Perfect Study Abroad

Michigan State University prides itself in consistently having one of the largest Study Abroad programs in the country. When I first visited MSU as a senior in high school the presentation I sat through placed a lot of emphasis on studying abroad. My tour guide stressed that there are more than 275 programs to choose from in over 65 countries and all continents, including Antarctica. Yet, as crazy as it sounds I remember thinking that I would most likely never find a program that would work with my schedule. I assumed because I was going to be in a residential college there would not be a program over the summer that would go towards my very specific majors, let alone be in a country I was actually interested in. I was frustrated until I learned that James Madison College sponsors multiple Study Abroad programs available during the summer and both fall and spring semesters.

At first, I thought studying abroad was going to be impossible being in a residential college but I could not have been more wrong. This semester I was accepted to study Comparative Republicanism in Rome and Florence for the summer. Once I looked into it, I realized James Madison sponsors programs specific to both of my majors— International Relations and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy (PTCD). The Study Abroad program for PTCD just so happens to be hosted in my dream country, Italy. Not only do I have family in both Rome and Florence but I also have been studying Italian as my Madison language for the past two years.

There is a program that is over the summer, in the country of my dreams, and is specific to my major. For anyone who has the desire to travel and study in another country, there is definitely a program out there for you. Everyone is telling the truth when they say Michigan State and its residential colleges have the best Study Abroad programs in the nation! 

Gabriela 

Sophomore

IR &PTCD

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

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

Too many extracurriculars to choose!

       Since starting my Spartan journey I have been involved with many things including MSU Model United Nations, MSU Association of Future Alumni, and Associated Students of MSU which is our campus-wide student government organization. The extracurricular activities I’ve been consistently involved with this year are MSU Cru, JMC Ambassadors, and more recently my sorority Pi Beta Phi. 

      MSU Cru is a student-led Christian organization on campus that can also be found at universities across the nation. I attend one of their events at least once a week and I am able to meet a variety of people who have similar values and beliefs so it is enjoyable.

        I would also call James Madison College Ambassadors an extracurricular activity. Being a JMC ambassador is a reminder where I came from and how admirable the JMC program is. Being able to share my enthusiasm for JMC is an honor of mine. I think being an ambassador will be one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences I will have while being at MSU because of the friendships I made and the things I learned from the faculty and peers. 

        

         Last year, I wasn’t as involved with my sorority because of school work and then studying abroad, but the second I stepped foot into my sorority house this year I have been challenged, supported, and loved in ways I did not expect. It has been evident to myself that I am developing as a person while living in the house with such a variety of colleagues, or as we call them ‘sisters’.  What attracted me the most about Greek life is the philanthropy and the professional/personal development aspect. Something my sorority does annually that you and your friends can look out for is the spaghetti dinner which is a charity event where people can buy a meal and the proceeds go to our philanthropy, which is focused on literacy in children and there is an organization called Read>Lead> Achieve that is partnered with our sorority to promoting literacy and helping people realize illiteracy is problem.

       I've been involved with a lot of extracurricular activities here at MSU.  If you have any questions, feel free to comment below! 

Monica

Junior

IR & Media Information Technology

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 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

My Favorite Class: Politics and Markets

When asked what my favorite class I have taken in James Madison College over my four years I immediately am transported back to my spring semester of my sophomore year and MC 241- Politics and Markets with Professor Emmett.

I was interested in the Political Economy minor and was told that MC 241 would be the perfect for me to test whether I liked the program of study as well as get a requirement out of the way for my Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy major.

I enrolled in the class and was at first nervous about the amount of books that we would be reading over the semester. The book list had approximately 7 books on it, on the higher end for a Madison class, and they were all on economic theory. I was nervous about it, but I went into the class with an open mind.

I have not learned more from one class than I did in MC 241.

Professor Emmett leads the class through discussion. We make the seating in a complete circle and he starts the class with a question. It was intimidating at first but soon I came to love the way the class was structured as the class was completely discussion based as opposed to lecture based. I felt that I learned a great deal from this class because of the discussion based. What was more, is I gained a really deep understanding of economic policy because that was what the class focused on.

The aspect that I most liked about the class was not only the discussion based learning but also the material covered. The course focused on the debate between John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek. Having the modern economic policy debate contextualized in that manner allowed me to better understand the debate as well as formulate my own opinions.

I ended up choosing the Political Economy minor because of MC 241 and the nature of the class. Having mostly discussion based classes that really encouraged my learning and understanding of the subject matter was incredibly rewarding and fun.

Stephen
Senior
Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Political Economy Minor

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