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

In This Issue

• Apply to participate in JMC’s first Fall Career Exposure Program in Lansing by Sunday

• Internship and job opportunities

• Career-related events

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

• Internship spotlight: JMC senior Meghan Valade shares her Summer 2025 internship experience at Magna International

Correction: A previous version of this newsletter listed the Guyer Public Policy Internship Award deadline incorrectly. Applications are due Sept. 26.

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

Law Office Messenger 
Thrun Law Firm is seeking a Law Office Messenger to work at their East Lansing office (127 Lake Lansing Rd.). Approximately 20 hours per week (with flexible scheduling), paying $15/hour plus mileage reimbursement. Applicants must have a dependable vehicle and an excellent driving record. Prior law office experience is preferred, but training will be provided for the right candidate. Immediate start available. Availability on Mondays and Wednesdays is especially preferred to help fulfill current scheduling needs. Apply via via Handshake.

Resolution Services Center of Central Michigan Internship
Are you interested in helping others resolve conflict? Consider interning at RSCCM! This internship offers:

• Free mediation training

• Hans-on experience with the legal process

• Learning mediation skills, such as how to de-escalate conflict

• The opportunity to interact with attorneys and courts

View the internship flyer and position description via OneDrive (MSU login required).

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.

Democratic Engagement Interns
Play a key role in strengthening democratic participation at MSU by encouraging voter registration, education and turnout. These are non-partisan positions that operate as part of a collaborative campus and community committee. Interns will help increase the number of registered student voters, provide accessible information on candidates and issues, and support initiatives to boost student participation in local, state and national elections. Apply by Sept. 22. Learn more via the Center for Community Engaged Learning.

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

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 

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

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
Sept. 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.

Peace Corps Application Workshops
Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Learn how to browse Peace Corps volunteer openings, find the right program and strengthen your application. Learn more via the Peace Corps.

Flint Study Away Summer Internship Program 
Spend Summer 2026 gaining firsthand pre-professional work experience through the unique, community-based Flint Study Away Internship. This program includes placement across multiple sectors such as Public Health & Community Services, Policy & Advocacy, Law & Local Government, Business & Entrepreneurship, and more. Learn about the program by attending an upcoming information session. Session #1 takes place Sept. 30, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in 147 Berkey Hall. Session #2 takes place Oct. 6, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in room 230 Psychology Building. Information session space is exceptionally limited. RSVP to attend by emailing gamperca@msu.edu.

Virtual Internship Fair: Michigan Career Educator & Employer Alliance
Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., held virtually. Connect with employers from across Michigan who are hiring interns in a variety of industries. This free event is open to internship seekers of all backgrounds and majors. Contact skibinj@michigan.gov to register.  

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 Sept. 26). Find more information on the award and application details via PDF. 

Internships Spotlight: Meghan Valade

Meghan Valade is a JMC senior majoring in Social Relations and Policy with a minoring in Business. She shares her Summer 2025 internship experience below:

“This summer, I interned at Magna International with the Government Affairs team, focusing on Economic Development and Compliance initiatives. Magna, a top global automotive supplier, is shaping the future of the automotive industry through their strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

“During my internship, I researched and analyzed many regional policies and incentive programs to support Magna’s global expansion efforts. I was given the opportunity to present to global legal, tax and government affairs leadership on multiple global economic policy initiatives. I highlighted each policy’s strategic implications for both internal projects and regional industrial development to help guide executive decision-making. Additionally, I completed a multitude of legal compliance reporting. I ensured that Magna’s reporting aligned with local, state and federal regulatory requirements across multiple different projects. Outside of my assigned projects, I had the opportunity to tour many Magna plants and to engage with Magna’s executive leadership, meeting leaders across both corporate and plant divisions.

“This role allowed me to apply my policy and business education in the private sector, and I’m excited to continue my work at Magna this fall. Magna internship applications normally open in the Spring Semester, but if you have ANY questions please feel free to reach out! My email is valademe@msu.edu or feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!”

Learn more about JMC’s field experience requirement on the JMC 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).