Higher Education: Jobs Landed

As Assistant Director of Communications for Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS) at Michigan State University, I assist with the development and implementation of internal and external communications strategies for a department that is committed to helping students learn, grow and persist toward graduation from Michigan State University. I work with a dynamic team that focuses on a variety of areas that impact the overall on-campus living experience of MSU students.  As a new department created through the merger of the departments formerly known as Campus Living Services and Residence Life, REHS focuses on residence education in the residence halls, housing operations, housing assignments, facilities and conference operations in the summer. In my role, I handle everything from media relations and event planning to social media and communications training. What I enjoy most about my job is playing a part in creating a safe and secure environment that promotes the academic success of MSU students.

On Twitter: @ashleychaneypr

Working as the Residential College of Arts and Humanities' Communications Manager gives me the opportunity to tell the campus, the greater Lansing area and communities outside of Michigan about the work of RCAH students and faculty. I'm responsible for managing publicity for upcoming events, maintaining the website, and collaborating with designers and photographers to create branded RCAH materials. In the month or so that I've been at RCAH, my excitement about current and upcoming projects has multiplied--from RCAHive (the new student magazine) to visiting artists at the college to the continually expanding and evolving online presence for the college, I've got so much to share with current and prospective students.

On Twitter: @twittenauer

Responsible for developing strategic athletic donor stewardship and event initiatives by sustaining positive and mutually-rewarding relations between the Athletic Department and its donors; partner with university colleagues and coaches to determine the best strategies for effective stewardship of donors; maintain ongoing and active networking with internal and external constituencies; and provide event management for increased donor engagement.

On Twitter: @sarahskilling

Responsible for creating and implementing a unified marketing communications vision and strategy for the College of Law, which is a private law school academically affiliated with a major university.

On Twitter: @kentlove

I direct the Vocal Jazz and Pop ensemble at LCC-- a small vocal group that performs jazz and pop music. What's great about this group (and about LCC in general) is that it consists of people of a variety of ages, backgrounds, and musical training and tastes. It's amazing when so many different people come together to create music. For more information about upcoming concerts and events, go to http://lcc.edu/cma/events/

On Twitter: @kellyssings

The gist of my job is to take the really complicated nuclear physics research being done at the lab and make it understandable and interesting to folks like my Mother who struggled with algebra in high school. This entails many different mediums and projects including managing the website, creating brochures, managing social network accounts, creating videos, pitching stories to the media and helping give tours around the lab. I chose science communication as a job – and love the one I’m in – because I get to learn something cool every single day. I landed in Lansing because I want to work with scientists at the leading edge of their field and NSCL is the premier facility for nuclear physics research in North America.

Follow me on Twitter @BigKingKen

I have been named Executive Director of the Lansing Community College Foundation which supports the college through scholarship development and fundraising for college initiatives. The Foundation also serves as home to the college Alumni Association and Employee Development Fund. I am no stranger to the Foundation having worked there as Alumni Development Manager in 2006-07, playing an instrumental role in helping the college celebrate its 50th anniversary (2007).

The Lansing Community College Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization that last year provided 825 scholarships valuing nearly $822,000. It has endowment funds totaling nearly $10 million. The Foundation also serves as a key supporter for LCC program improvements, technological advancements and staff development.  

From 2007 until returning to LCC this year, I was director of Development & Alumni Relations at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University where I was responsible for fundraising, gift procurement and alumni relations among other duties. In 2006-07 I was also the founding chief operating officer for the International Partnership for Critical Markers of Disease, a non-profit organization created to establish partnerships between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Health, the pharmaceutical industry, research universities and other healthcare partners. There I worked to develop coalitions and cooperation to support critical paths to drug approvals.  

The job I do on a daily basis is to assist students in achieving academic success by providing encouragement, scheduling classes, overcoming barriers, providing direction in areas of best class selection and assisting with needed funding to ensure they obtain the degree they are seeking. I am also their cheerleader and listening ear when it is needed.

I chose Davenport University because the programs that are offered are in the three leading areas for employment and growth. Davenport offers degrees in the Healthcare, Business and Technology fields, which allows students to increase their marketability and become employed or to advance in their current employment situations.

I found the position with Davenport University through networking with previous co-workers. What I enjoy most about this position is the opportunity to make a difference daily and to provide needed encouragement and support to students and those I see every day on campus.

Davenport University is also in a period of growth which led to the creation of my position as an additional advisor at the Lansing Campus. There are now plans for facility renovation/expansion for the Lansing Campus which makes it a very exciting time to be a part of this institution.

As the Outreach Coordinator for the School of Packaging at MSU I am able to maintain and grow all the wonderful relationship I established from working in the Packaging Industry for 10 years. I support the School and Industry from the research and academia side of things with my new role. 

While working for Lansmont Corporation and then Pira International I also became very involved in several industry organizations. Being involved in the organizations not only introduced me to others in my industry but it also gave me a chance to learn about other aspects of the packaging world outside of my daily responsibilities. One of the organizations was the Packaging Alumni Association (PAA). The PAA supports the MSU School of Packaging and the students and one evening while working on prepping the students for an upcoming career fair from the industry's expectations of them, I mentioned to the Director of the School that if a position ever opened up at the School to consider me for it. And about seven months later we talked again and then I was hired in another 6 months after that. The moral to the story is that I asked for the job. I gave them the idea that I would be a great fit and they knew how much I loved the School after seeing my involvement with the PAA. So ask for what you want with the company you want to work for. It won't happen right away but put the bug in their ear and if it is a good fit they will definitely consider you when the time comes.

As an advisor at Davenport University, I serve as a primary contact for all students regarding University student services functions. I help students develop an educational plan and keep them abreast of the necessary requirements for graduation. I assist students with developing realistic educational goals that will ultimately guide their academic careers as they embark on their journey of learning and exploration. I also assist with programming geared toward enhancing student engagement and retention. Most importantly, I serve as a student advocate and a listening ear for students in their most important time of need.

Michigan State University is one of the best schools in the country and I am excited to continue my coaching career here. To be honest, I don't know much about East Lansing or Michigan for that matter, but from what I have heard it is a great place.

The Head Field Hockey Coach, Helen Knull, contacted me and we talked about the area, the job, etc. She and Assistant Coach Molly Maloney are great people and coaches and are helping make the transistion very smooth and positive. So far, what I have noticed here, is that the people are very friendly and happy to be working at MSU.

Follow me on Twitter @shawnhindy

I assist students and alumni with their professional development and act as a liaison between the students and the employers who have a relationship with Davenport University.  I spend a great deal of time guiding students through the resume and cover letter process as well as assisting with interviewing skills and job coaching.  I assist with preparing students for professional jobs or help alumni who are going through a career transition.  I present workshops on various aspects on workforce development and network with employers in the business sector in the Greater Lansing area.  

Moving to Lansing from Austin, Texas was a very difficult decision, but ultimately I'm glad I did it. Having a partner in the doctoral program at MSU was a big part of my decision, but I was also looking for a new place to live and looking forward to what new adventures it would bring. Because my degree is in Mass Communication, I knew I ultimately wanted a job that dealt with social media, design, event planning and interacting with different people day-to-day. When I saw the job posting on Twitter from the MSU Physical Plant, I felt I had to apply.

The Physical Plant is giving me everything I have looked for in an employer. I get to work with students, higher ups and almost every department on campus. Being a full-time communications aide means that I will get to have a hand in every aspect of the communications side of the Physical Plant. I will design fliers, pamphlets and promotional items, give presentations, keep in contact with different departments in the university, utilize social media and write and edit pieces that the Physical Plant puts out.

I worked for Texas State all throughout my undergrad, and I loved every minute of it. It feels great to be back in a university setting, and I look forward to what's to come. The job is a temporary job lasting 18 months, which is perfect, because it fits with my plan to become a graduate student at Michigan State for Student Affairs!

Follow me on Twitter @jtrayan

I'm a videographer/editor for CAS Media. I chose to come back to Michigan after living in Chicago for a year--working in the fast-paced downtown scene wasn't what I was looking for, and I wanted to come back for my Masters degree at Michigan State University. After working with a colleague as a TA in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, he offered me the position at CAS Media when I graduated. We typically produce videos for grant-funded projects in departments around the University, so the work is very diverse and always educational. We've worked on media for the Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project, the Michigan Energy Efficiency Network, a state-wide program for Head Start, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. It's exciting to be part of a small team that turns work around very fast.