Beyond the Classroom: Navigating MSU’s Alumni Network

An MSU student stops for a photograph in front of an event stage for AdCraft Detroit, Spark Talks

AD+PR students cultivate connections at annual ComArtSci Career Week

By: Nicole Mitchell

Finding out where to start at a networking event during undergraduate college years can be a daunting task for students. However, our expansive College of Communication Arts and Sciences alumni network offers a great sense of family within the Spartan nation. With over 62,000 individuals who once roamed the same halls, they now offer a helping hand to students following the same professional career path.

In spring 2024, MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences held an alumni networking event with Adcraft Detroit called “Spark Talks,” which allowed students to expand their networking skills. Adcraft Detroit serves as a networking hub for professionals working in advertising-related fields. Students in our AD+PR community were invited to speak with the professionals currently involved in the organization. This event allowed AD+PR students to learn what their future roles in the industry would look like.

The “Spark Talks” event was one of the many ComArtSci events that took place during the annual spring semester CAS Career Week. During this week, which is held in February each year, students get the opportunity to attend resume and cover letter workshops, alumni events and a career fair. This year, the career fair featured leading companies actively seeking AD+PR students.

An MSU student smiles for a photograph in a large city. — Olivia Williams, a junior public relations major, expanded her networking skills at the Adcraft Detroit Spark Talks event.

“I wanted to get more comfortable talking to professionals knowing that we had a career fair coming up,” said Olivia Williams, junior PR Major. “Michigan State has given us a lot of opportunities to meet people, both on and off campus. A big part of it was just taking the initiative to attend and get yourself out there.”

Williams says she admired the great presentation skills the speakers portrayed during the panel and hopes to apply those skills in her own life. She said hearing alumni speakers share their challenges of figuring out their career paths after leaving MSU resonated with her as a current AD+PR student.

This is just one of the many events that students had the opportunity to attend during the CAS Career Week. The alumni network strengthens the Spartan community and allows these AD+PR students and professionals to bond over shared experiences.

“I would recommend similar events to students to build those important connections, any alumni event gives students a great experience,” said Williams.

For more information on the AD+PR networking events, visit https://comartsci.msu.edu/virtual-talks.