Finding Freedom in Freelance: How an Ad Creative Grad Built His Career from the Ground Up
MSU ad creative alum, Hayden Miller, says freelancing opened doors to a creative career and lasting professional growth
By: Leah West
When Michigan State University advertising creative graduate, Hayden Miller, left East Lansing in May 2025, it wasn’t with a full-time job. Instead, he found his footing in the creative industry through freelancing — a path he says not only sharpened his skills but also guided his next career move.
Miller explained that finding a job took some time, mainly because of the state of the job market. However, after using resources like LinkedIn, a freelance opportunity eventually came along, which helped launch his career.
Miller began his professional freelance journey as an art director at TMV Group, an advertising agency in Milford, Michigan. There, he worked on campaigns for Faygo, helping the brand elevate its social media and produce creative assets for video and billboard projects.
For Miller, freelancing offered flexibility and insight into how agencies operate.
“It was good for my career because it helped me integrate and understand what I wanted to do without a full commitment,” he said. “As an intern, I was always kind of just getting fed small things. But then this straight away had me doing the actual work they were doing – it was a step up for sure.”
Miller says the MSU Department of ADPR’s resources and opportunities played a key role in preparing him for career challenges and contributing to his success. One resource he says equipped him with the skills and confidence to face the job market was the American Advertising Federation.
When it came to landing future roles, Miller emphasized persistence and networking.
“I basically just called and emailed over and over, looking at companies where they had people who went to Michigan State,” he said.
By filtering companies to find MSU alumni, Miller says he was able to reach out directly to professionals in the industry.
“I would look at companies I was interested in, find everyone who went to Michigan State, and send them a short message asking for a quick chat,” he said. “I just did that over and over for about three months, and eventually it worked out.”
His persistence paid off, landing him freelance opportunities and his next career breakthrough. In October 2025, he moved to Manhattan to start his next chapter working for an advertising agency, Momentum, as an account manager for their Verizon and Geico sports accounts.
To ADPR students just starting out, Miller’s story highlights how ADPR helped him develop the courage to advocate for himself professionally. His advice is to say consistent and use your Spartan network.
“Even though sometimes it feels like there’s nothing you can do, you can always help yourself,” said Miller.
