For the first time, Michigan State University (MSU) faculty will use the rapid-fire presentation style of Ignite Lansing events to expose students in creative programs to entrepreneurial options in their futures.
The event, called the Creative Arts Forum, will be in the university’s Student Union on Nov. 6, presented by the College of Arts & Letters, and the Career Services Network.
The program style originated locally with Ignite Lansing and consists of 10 to 12 five-minute Power Point presentations on subjects people feel passionate about. Then came “Eve of Ignition,” similarly designed, but for MSU students with business ideas.
When text messages and Tweets bounced around town alerting creatives to the speaking opportunity at the Creative Arts Forum, volunteers poured forth.
Henry Balanon, MSU grad and co-founder of BickBot, wanted to speak about his new company that designs iPhone applications.
Chris Van Wyck of Ciesa Designs and Julie Becker of Motion Marketing Media offered their services, as well Camron Gnass of Vision Creative.
Courtney Chapin, working for both the College of Arts & Letters and the Career Services Network, has high hopes for the forum, wishing that students will learn from accomplished business owners that careers now take winding pathways.
Paul Jaques, MSU’s internship developer, cautions that students must move from what he calls “the General Motors mentality” that says they will be working for 30 years in the same place.
Instead of a career ladder, students must think of a “career lattice” with criss-crossing lines, Chapin remembers a Disney recruiter telling one of her classes.
Students may enroll here.
Source: Courtney Chapin and Paul Jaques, Michigan State University
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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