It has truly changed my life. Coming to college was a big step, but MSU quickly became a place where I felt challenged, supported, and inspired to grow. I've built lifelong friendships, found communities that make campus feel like home, and become involved in organizations that have shaped me both personally and professionally.
Every opportunity, whether it's taking on leadership roles, meeting new people, or stepping outside of my comfort zone, has helped me become a more confident and capable version of myself.
I'm incredibly grateful for the experiences, memories, and people that have made these years so meaningful.
I knew from early on that I wanted to go into business. As I explored different business majors, accounting felt like the perfect fit because it combines problem-solving, organization, and critical thinking.
I like that every problem has a solution, and I enjoy the process of figuring it out. The more I've learned about accounting through my classes and experiences, the more confident I've become that it's the right career path for me.
In this role, I oversee six campus market locations, manage inventory and sales reporting, and help creators sell their products on campus through in-person retail locations.
On the financial side, I track sales, process creator payouts, and maintain accurate financial records to ensure creators are paid correctly and on time.
As a freshman, I was looking for a place where I could meet new people, build meaningful relationships, and make a difference.
Being part of this team has given me exactly that. It has introduced me to incredible people, helped me grow as a leader, and given me opportunities to develop both personally and professionally. Student-Made has truly become one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience.
We discovered that many of our product barcodes were not scanning correctly. As someone who was brand new to the position, I had an oversight and didn't realize there was an issue with the barcode setup process until it began affecting sales.
I learned the importance of double-checking systems, testing processes before products reach the shelves, and asking questions when I'm unsure.
Since then, I've become much more proactive and detail-oriented, implementing checks to help prevent similar issues in the future. That experience taught me that mistakes are opportunities to improve, and it has made me a stronger leader and problem-solver.
We expanded from four to six market locations, and this created more opportunities for student entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products while increasing the visibility and reach of the Student-Made program across campus.
Being part of this growth meant coordinating with creators, planning for additional inventory needs, and ensuring the new locations operated smoothly. Seeing the program continue to grow and knowing I contributed to making that possible has been incredibly rewarding.
I don't necessarily see myself working in market management, but I do want to continue working on the financial side of a business.
This experience has challenged me to become a better communicator, problem-solver, and leader, and those are skills I'll carry with me throughout my career.
The biggest thing I hope to give back is a community where creators feel comfortable, supported, and like they truly belong. I want every creator to feel encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and grow their business with confidence. Knowing I played even a small part in helping someone succeed would be incredibly rewarding.
