Editor’s Note: Have questions? Contact Jane Deacon (locket20@msu.edu).

In This Issue

• Applications are open to join JMC’s first Fall Career Exposure Program in Lansing

• Internship and job opportunities

• Career-related events

• Funding opportunities: Apply for the Guyer Public Policy Internship Award

• Internship spotlight: JMC student JJ DeFeo, who interned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology earlier this year

Fall Career Exposure Program

Are you interested in seeing where JMC alumni are working in the Lansing area? Want to explore the variety of fields open to students with a degree in public affairs? Join JMC for our first local Career Exposure Program to Lansing during MSU's fall break (Oct. 20 & 21). Hosts will include:

• Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance

• Dewpoint Consulting

• Public Sector Consultants

• Techsmith

• MSUFCU 

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

• Michigan Legislature (House & Senate)

• Governor Whitmer's Executive Office

• Networking Reception with Hosts & Alumni

The program fee (approx. $50) will cover transportation and lunch for both days. All current student are welcome to participate in the program. 

Apply via Qualtrics by Sept. 21. Contact Karissa Chabot-Purchase (kcp@msu.edu) or Lauren Michalak (michal34@msu.edu) with questions.

Job & Internship Opportunities

Rachel Gross for State Representative Internship 
Rachel Gross is running for the State Representative in Michigan’s 78th House District and is seeking students to join her campaign. This paid, part-time opportunity offers experience in political communications, social media and digital content creation. Political science/public policy student should submit a resume and a short writing sample (such as a policy brief, op-ed or academic paper). Interested communications/media students should submit a resume and short sample of creative work (social media post, graphics or edited videos). Email materials to rachel@votegross.com.

Tom Leonard for Governor Internship 
Tom Leonard is running for governor and looking to build a team of interns. Students eager to gain real-world experience in campaign strategy, voter outreach and grassroots organizing alongside are encourage to apply. This opportunity is volunteer based. Interested applicants should send their resume to tony@tomformichigan.com.

Food Banks and Basics Needs Assistant
The Engagement Team at University Health & Wellbeing is currently hiring. The Food Banks and Basic Needs Assistant role provide hands-on experience in food security, community engagement and student wellbeing initiatives supporting Spartans. Open to all MSU students. Part-time, on-campus opportunity ($14.73/hour). Apply via Handshake.

Volunteer Opportunity: MSU Center for Survivors
The Center for Survivors is recruiting volunteers for the semester. All are encouraged to apply. The Survivor Advocacy & Crisis Intervention (SACI) Team volunteers gain knowledge and awareness about sexual & relationship violence and valuable crisis-intervention skills. Apply by Sept. 14.

Teach For America Internships 
Teach For America offers paid, purpose-driven opportunities for college students and recent grads to lead, serve, and work on some of the real challenges in today’s schools and communities. 

• Teach For America Corps: Open to soon-to-be grads. This two-year, full-time teaching and leadership opportunity offers the chance to lead your own classroom in an under-resourced public school. Apply by Sept. 15. Apply via Teach For America Website 

• Teach For America Ignite: Open to all college students. This part-time, paid virtual tutoring opportunity allows you to support K–12 students during the school day while building key career skills. Apply by Nov. 19. Apply via Teach For America Website 

Career-Related Events

Students who attend three eligible career events hosted at JMC can earn the Career Readiness Badge for LinkedIn:

Global Career Panel & Networking Mixer 
Sept. 12, 2 to 5 p.m. at Minskoff Pavilion (651 N Shaw Lane). Panelists will share insights into navigating global career paths, industry trends and strategies for global job seekers. After the panel, participants will have the opportunity to network with a variety of organizations across industries. Register to attend via Handshake

Internships 101
Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. in S329 Case Hall. Looking for an internship for an upcoming semester? Not sure where to start? Join JMC Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak to learn about resources and strategies for finding an internship — whether for credit or just to gain experience. Learn more via JMC
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Volunteer Fair: United Way and the Center for Community Engagement 
Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the MSU Student Services Building. Connect with over 35 non-profits and discover ways you can make a difference in the community. Learn more and register to volunteer via Spartan Volunteer 

Yale Law School Recruitment & Admissions
Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. in Club Spartan, 338 Case Hall. Meet the Yale Law School admissions team and learn about Yale’s unique admissions process. This session will include a brief presentation with plenty of time for questions. Register to attend via Handshake
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Office Hours with the Chicago Harris School of Public Policy
Seept. 24, 2 to 4 p.m. in 329 Case Hall. The Chicago Harris School of Public Policy will offer insights on their programs and admissions process. Pop by as your schedule allows. Register to attend via Handshake
Note: This event can be counted as one of the three required events to earn the JMC Career Readiness Badge.

Professional Development Workshop: How to Crush the Interview 
Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. virtually. This Teach For America session will focus on interview prep, including the STAR method for structured responses, strategies for explaining your personal motivation and approaches to answering scenario-based questions. Register to attend via Teach For America Website 

Translating International Experience into Global Mindset and Career Development 
Sept. 25, 12 to 2 p.m. in M210 Minskoff Pavilion. Attend an interactive workshop designed to help students reflect on and articulate the value of their international experiences and what ways to enhance both their personal growth and professional readiness. Register to attend via Handshake 

Spartan Pre-Law Roadmap 
Sept. 26, 12:30 to 4 p.m. at MSU College of Law (648 North Shaw Lane, Room 471). Spend the afternoon mapping your route to a successful career in law. Meet faculty, staff and students, tour the law school, attend a mock class and gain tips on how to best prepare now to maximize your success. Networking reception and LSAT practice test held the same weekend. Register via MSU Law 

Funding Opportunities

Gordon and Norma Public Policy Internship Award
This award is open to students of any major who are planning a public policy-related internship that will count for MSU internship credit. Applications for the Fall 2025 Semester are now open (apply by Oct. 9). Find more information on the award and application details via PDF. 

Internships Spotlight: JJ DeFeo

JJ DeFeo is a JMC student triple-majoring in PTCD, Physics and Philosophy of Science. He shares his Summer 2025 internship experience below:

“This summer, I interned in DC at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Office of Advanced Manufacturing as part of the SPS John Mather Science Policy Internship program. The office coordinates the Manufacturing USA program, supporting 19 institutes on the scientific and technological leading edge of various fields in advanced manufacturing. Specifically, I was studying ongoing quantum science at NIST, how each project relates to manufacturing, and how it overlaps with certain other scientific entities. This work will be used by policymakers in all parts of the federal government to help coordinate scientific efforts to improve the operations of our everyday lives.”

Learn more about JMC’s field experience requirement on our website. Students interested in planning their internship can connect with JMC Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak (schedule an appointment with her via student.msu.edu).

Have a suggestion or submission for this newsletter? Contact Jane Deacon (locket20@msu.edu).