Where Are They Now? Spotlight: Mia Wallace
By Brittany Braeutigan
Mia Wallace, Class of 2018
Major: Advertising Management
Minor: Public Relations
Q: Where do you currently work and what do you do?
A: I am currently working as the advertising director at Michigan State University’s newspaper, The State News. I advise and manage the student staff in the advertising, sales and marketing department.
Q: How did you get your position?
A: I started working at The State News during my sophomore year at MSU, and I worked my way up to different positions. I was eventually offered a full-time position to run the advertising department for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Q: What was your favorite or most useful class while in college and why?
A: My most useful class at MSU wasn’t totally a class, but more of a club that I got class credit for. I was a member of MSU’s chapter of the American Advertising Federation for two years. It was a selected group of students who got to work for a real corporate sponsor and develop a fully integrated marketing campaign. It taught me what goes into researching and solving brand problems and developing a strategic campaign that works as a solution to that problem. It also is a great networking tool because it connects you with nearly every other MSU AAF alumni, many of whom are actively working in the industry.
Q: What do you miss most about Michigan State?
A: I miss my friends the most. There is no other time in your life that you get to live with four to six of your closest friends and hang out with them literally every day, 24/7. It’s so special, and you really won’t make or find the same kind of connection you made with those people ever again. Appreciate the time you have with them now because after graduation you’ll likely just get to see them just one or two times a year!
Q: What is a piece of advice you’d like to give current students?
A: Take advantage of all the networking events and services MSU offers, especially academic clubs. One of the #1 keys to getting a job after college is connections, and clubs that focus on your career goals are a great place to make those connections. Nearly every one of my friends who graduated with an advertising degree was able to land their first job through a connection they had with someone they knew from college. Networking is truly KING!
Also, what I’m about to say is likely unpopular advice with professors. But, take advantage of every time you can do something fun or hang out with your friends, because you’ll regret missing a really fun night out or memory spent with your friends way more than a missed homework assignment. Also, same goes for missing a class to take an agency tour or get lunch with someone who works at a company you want to work for. C’s get degrees, real life experience gets jobs!
What are you up to? Send your answers to thebrief@adv.msu.edu today!