The state of Michigan continues to feature strong collegiate hospitality programs. Four colleges and Universities sent a total of more than 50 students and faculty to the 2nd annual GMC Michigan Student Day on Wednesday, April 12. Ferris State University hosted the event in their sleek University Center, and students from Michigan State, Central Michigan and Grand Valley State also made the trip to attend.
Our Chapter put together a half day program that included 17 meetings and events professionals. The overall goal of the event is to present to college students the wide variety of opportunities within the umbrella of meetings. For example, in the first two hours students attended 30 minute breakout panel sessions divided into groups of meeting planners, hoteliers, convention and visitors bureaus and an “other session” that combined representatives from a convention center, an audio visual company, a production company and a third party. We also featured a Young Professionals panel, a segment on job searching with two human resources professionals and concluded with a fun networking event.
During the recent Michigan Student Day, Communications Member, Nichole Steele, met with Racheal McDonald who is a student member of GMC PCMA and asked Racheal to share her student member experience.
Racheal is a Senior at Ferris State University and the President of Ferris State University’s Student PCMA Chapter. She has attended several of our student days, won a student scholarship to Convening Leaders in Austin and has volunteered at Bowl-a-Thon.
How did you get involved with PCMA here at Ferris?
I was new to the hospitality major and a friend recommended that I join. Relationships are the greatest benefit of the Chapter. It’s important for the younger students to meet people and maintain those relationships so when they’re ready to get a job/graduate, they can reach out to those contacts they made throughout. Make sure you get involved and create relationships.
Why do you like Student Days?
Students should attend the Student days and look for mentors and avenues to get to your ideal career and utilize the professors at the University.
Student Days seems intimidating, but you have to remember that the professionals are here to help the students. They want to be here and want to meet you; the focus is on the students! Student days creates more options in the hospitality field and opens more doors for more opportunities you don’t know about.
Your advice for students?
Be involved, get those real life experiences, which will help you in interviews. Involvement also gives you context and passion to use in your resume and interviews.
What is your dream job?
My dream job would be owning my own third-party management company that focuses on sustainability. I want to make sure I become more involved with PCMA, continue to stay involved and take on leadership roles to help myself continue to grow and get to my goals.
The Student Membership committee will host two more Student Programs this year, both occurring in the fall in Indiana and Chicago.
