Networking Pays Off: How MSU Ad Mgmt Student, Riley Lennon, Landed Multiple Internships
By: Sophia DeBoe
For Michigan State University advertising management student, Riley Lennon, internships didn’t start with applications; they started with conversations.
Lennon has gained experience across marketing, communications and outreach roles by intentionally building connections and taking advantage of opportunities around her. She has held internships with the MSU Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact (link here); International Studies and Programs (link here); Detroit startup, Cotes AI (link here); and influencer marketing agency, The Outloud Group (link here). Each role stemmed from being proactive, whether by applying strategically or by forming relationships with professors and professionals.
Like many students, Lennon said securing her first internship felt like the hardest step. Employers often asked for portfolios before she had professional experience, which felt discouraging. Instead of giving up, she leaned on advice from a former high school teacher.
“She said even if it wasn’t a project I worked on during another internship, to use something from school that still showcases my skills,” Lennon said.
By using projects from her study abroad program to build her portfolio, such as TikTok videos she produced for the social media, she built credibility and secured her first internship, helping her gain future opportunities.
Networking with professors also played a major role. Rather than just attending class, Lennon made an effort to form genuine connections.
“Whenever I have a professor whose teaching style I really enjoy, I make it a point to introduce myself and ask lots of questions, so they get to know me and I can do the same,” she said.
That approach paid off when ADPR adjunct instructor and communications manager with MSU’s International Studies and Programs Dean’s Office, Beth Brauer, later hired her for a campus job, reinforcing her belief that relationships lead to career opportunities.
Beyond her extensive technical skills, Lennon said her internships helped her grow professionally by improving her time management, staying organized and building her people skills to ask good questions and be an active listener.
Even with a growing résumé, Lennon admitted she still experiences self-doubt, especially before interviews. She pushes through it by focusing on why she deserves it.
“What helps me is reminding myself of all my accomplishments and talking myself up, trying to convince myself that there is no one else more worthy of the position than me,” she said.
Lennon encourages other students to start building connections early and get involved on campus.
“You never know who could become a valuable resource or what opportunities your connections might lead to,” she said, “MSU is a huge campus and there are so many activities to get involved with and people to meet who will only help build your network.”
For MSU Advertising and Public Relations students, Lennon’s experience shows that internships don’t just happen; they come from showing initiative, leveraging available resources and building meaningful relationships. Students can start by getting to know their faculty and making introductions; the ADPR faculty page (link here) is a great place to begin connecting with professors who can open doors to opportunities.
