Campus Blog

By Stacey Frankovich, Director of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Are you a “Gigster?”

What we once considered to be consulting, contracting, freelancing and self-employment are now all rolled into the Gig Economy – the latest trend in employment allowing workers to leverage their skills, experiences and passions into a diverse portfolio of freelance jobs. Not only does this provide more options to take the jobs you want, it gives the flexibility to work remotely and to design a work schedule and environment that fits you.

So what does this have to do with you as a Macomb student? It means that your experiences and the skills you are learning in school have value. It means that you don’t have to wait to graduate to begin supplementing your income. You can make a little money and build your portfolio while you’re in school, which can also help you get a great job after graduation. And we can help you!

At Macomb’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE), we help students and community members launch their own business ideas through coaching, strategic planning and connecting people to resources.

But even if that’s not your ambition, we also work with many entrepreneurs in high-tech sectors who are looking for “gig” workers. If you can transform drawings into CAD or create renderings for promotional materials or patent applications, we know entrepreneurs who could use your help. If you can design logos or websites, we know people who would like to meet you. If you have a passion for jewelry making, floral design or photography, there are opportunities for you too. I encourage you to think outside of the box and think like an entrepreneur – blaze your own path!

Come by and see us at the CIE – let’s continue the discussion on how you can start your own business or become a “Gigster!”

By Kevin Chandler, Dean of University Relations

Have you thought about what it would take to transfer from Macomb to the next college of your choice? Ever wonder how many of your Macomb credits can transfer to a four-year college or university? And have you decided when you should approach the school you want to transfer to? Guess what – you can do all these things easily, and we have events on campus that help answer all these questions!

At the Macomb Pathways and Transfer Hub (M-PATH) event on Feb. 27, you can find out about transfer plans and articulation agreements – we have over 300 of them, some of which allow you to transfer 90 credits! You’ll also learn about scholarships and the colleges we have transfer partnerships with, including the 12 colleges and universities offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate programs at Macomb’s University Center (UC) on Center Campus. Bring your friends and family and attend the M-PATH event on:

Tuesday, February 27, 4–5:30pm at the University Center, Lecture Hall A (Registration link)

You can also attend our College Transfer Day event on March 14 to meet with Macomb counselors and advisors, our University Center partners and other organizations in the community. Specifically, you can find out what your transfer path could look like, get help deciding what classes to take, and understand how to maximize your credits at Macomb for transfer toward your bachelor’s degree. Plus, learn about transfer scholarships that might be available to you. Bring your friends and family to College Transfer Day on:

Wednesday, March 14, 4-7pm at the John Lewis Student Center (K Building) on South Campus (Registration link)

Remember – we’re here to help you on your transfer journey!

Discover Macomb is Saturday, Feb. 17 at South Campus, a chance to explore the campus, hear from faculty and staff, and get questions answered. We asked our helpful recruiters – Mary, Teri and Sarah – to share their advice for making it as useful an experience as possible.

 

 

 

1. Figure out your questions now! – Don’t wait until the day of the event to think about what you want to know. Write your questions down now and bring them with you. “Future you” will thank “past you” for looking clever.
2. Take notes – You’ll probably have a few “aha” moments while you’re listening to various campus leaders speak, but those insights won’t do you much good if you don’t remember them later. Bring a pen and paper to preserve them for when you need them!
3. Put on your walking shoes – With tours covering some of our most popular programs, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and dress warm to get a look at your potential future.
4. Bring a friend to cover more ground – You can go to the session on Media & Communication Arts and send your friend (or a parent) to the session on Financial Aid.
5. Any time is a great time – Even if you just started high school, Discover Macomb has something to offer you. You’ll learn about the foundation of preparing for college and how to earn college credit while still in high school.
6. Know your Social Security Number – You can submit your application right at Discover Macomb; just have your SSN with you. Multi-task like a champion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more and register here!

By Angela McLean, Business Professor

Studying business at Macomb is exciting. There are countless opportunities today, and even more we have yet to discover. Your career may not even exist yet! Something else that’s exciting? Today’s employment scene. It looks strong. Area employers are hiring. You came to Macomb to pursue a career, and the timing is good!

So, what does that mean for you? Specifically, what does your path look like? Sometimes this is an overwhelming thought. You can study in so many different areas of business – how do you decide where your passion lies? How will you maximize your educational experience to learn the skills you need? What else should you be doing to be the ideal candidate for your next job?

I think the key lies in taking charge. Take charge of your program, and take charge of your experience.  Attend the Business Degree Basics event scheduled for Thursday, January 25^th at South Campus, and the same business professors who lead your classes will help you focus on your future and becoming that ideal candidate. See the link for details – and space is limited, so register early!

By Jerry Baird, Academic Advisor

Have you ever gone to a store or restaurant and learned that you were also getting a bonus perk or reward? Doesn’t that feel awesome? You can have that feeling at Macomb too. That’s one of our specialties in Counseling & Academic Advising, connecting students to resources (or “perks”)!

Here are five exceptional Macomb student resources:

1. Study Groups/Tutoring: Join a study group (cost = free!). Can’t make it during the week? No problem…many study groups meet on the weekend! The Reading & Writing Studios can help you with writing assignments as well.
2. Cultural Competency Certificate: Increase your awareness of other cultures and add a valuable credential to your resume. Check out the variety of interesting presentations through the Macomb Multicultural International Initiatives.
3. Internships: Combine your classroom education with hands-on work experience. Career Services can help you explore internships that are available locally to as far away as Disney World.
4. Study Abroad: Take an opportunity to gain cultural experience by participating in Study Abroad. Previous trips include travel to Spain, Mexico, Kenya and other countries.
5. Volunteering: MCC’s Student Life provides a variety of volunteering options. Alternative Spring Break, Habitat for Humanity and MLK Volunteering Day are just a few of these rewarding events.

Want to see a comprehensive list of more perks and all things Macomb? Be sure to explore the A-Z Directory on My Macomb. It’s a site that you’ll find essential during your student experience at Macomb!

By Michael Swain, Career Services Website Specialist

What would you do if the path to your dreams became blocked? Would you give up, or find a new path to your success? Macomb’s Career Services department invited former U.S. Olympian Johnny Quinn to South Campus on November 15, 2017, to discuss just that.

One of only three people to compete in the NFL and the Winter Olympics, Johnny discussed how his professional football dreams were curtailed, and how he found a new opportunity to be a member of the United States Olympic Bobsled team.

Career Services also hosted a “Game of Life” event shortly after Johnny’s presentation, in which we invited students to make decisions based on their anticipated career path and helped them understand how those decisions will impact many aspects of their life. We even had a roadblock such as winning the lottery or a sick pet – what would you do next!?

Being available for unexpected opportunities and open to new paths is a resounding message for any student that is lost in their career path. Career Services can help any student by providing reliable information to help make informed career decisions for the rest of your life.

By Tim Masters, electric vehicle development student

Before coming to Macomb, I was miserable. I had a string of terrible, back-breaking jobs and generally hated my life.  To top it off, I had just lost the latest terrible job, so I was feeling particularly low.  A friend referred me to a program, provided through Michigan Works!, to attend college courses at Macomb in electric vehicle development.  Unfortunately the deadline had passed, but I tried anyway.

Not only did the long shot pay off, but I excelled. Because of my training, I gained my first job building batteries at a startup.  I moved on from there, advancing my skills along with my wages, until I ended up with a fantastic opportunity at Ford Motor Company, testing the battery packs used in all of their hybrid and electric vehicles.  I can say that waking up to come to work is no longer a chore; I actually enjoy my career, and I love the people I work with.

While I have already started my career in batteries, I have never stopped going to class.  I’m slowly but surely continuing on with school, seeking my degree.  It’s because of this that I was able to attend NASA’s Community College Scholar program this past year (that’s me in the back row, second from the left ), which was a truly amazing experience.  It consisted of an online class as well as a portion on-site at the Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama. While I was in Huntsville, we toured various NASA facilities as well as spoke with engineers and coordinators about jobs and internships, all the while competing with three other teams in a robotics competition.  It was one of my proudest moments when it was announced that our team won the competition; a testament to all the hard work I put into my classes, and into myself.  It just goes to show that when an opportunity comes along, you have to go for it, even if it’s a long shot.

Are you in the sixth through twelfth grade and interested in a career like Tim’s?  Then you and your parents should attend Explore Careers in Manufacturing and Technology on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Sports & Expo Center on Macomb’s South Campus. There will be interactive displays in auto design, robotics, clay modeling, electric and automated vehicles, production design, sketching and traffic light simulation.  If you attend, you will also have the chance to win a drone!  Register now at www.macomb.edu/mfgevening.

By Kristin Dunsmore, RHIA, CCS

When I say “health information technology,” a lot of people give me a blank stare. But when I ask the same group of people how many of them have a medical record, everyone’s hands go up. And that’s one reason why the health information technology program at Macomb is worth knowing more about.

This is not a career managing a file cabinet. The switch to electronic record-keeping in health care has greatly increased how much medical data exists, and that requires people who can interpret that information to make it meaningful. People who work in health information safeguard this medical data while making sure it gets delivered to the right places. It’s a great fit for people who are analytical, inquisitive, and have an attention to detail.

Here are some other benefits:

-It’s not patient-facing, which means it’s a perfect career for people who like the medical field but don’t like the “hands-on” aspect.

-Because of all this new data, it’s consistently recognized as one of the fastest-growing health careers. If you want a job, you’ll find one.

-Most people in this field work from home. In fact, most employers WANT you to work from home to free up space. So if you like the freedom and flexibility that come with a home office, this is a great option.

-Macomb’s program is conveniently offered 100% online.

This profession has been very good to me, and now I’m happy to train a new generation, including my daughter, who’s followed me into it. Please e-mail me to find out more about how this program might be right for you too.

By Brooklyn Frontiera, Career Services Coordinator

Every month during the Fall and Winter semesters, Macomb’s Career Services team takes students on a good-old-fashioned field trip! Earlier this month, we took 19 students to COMTEC, Macomb County’s state-of-the-art Communications and Technology Center in Mount Clemens. This facility oversees all of the traffic, dispatch, roads, emergency management and information technology that is necessary to keep Michigan’s 3^rd largest county safe and running smoothly.

Joined by Macomb staff and alumni, students toured the facility and were able to ask questions while playing Jeopardy with the IT department, listening to phone calls that the dispatch team has handled, and watching traffic management on a 50-foot video wall. Students were given specific examples of jobs that were available, the education required to attain them, and how to apply – and some even applied right on the spot!

Here’s what some of the students had to say about this opportunity:

-“I’m extremely interested in potential employment and internship opportunities with Macomb County.”

-“I liked it a lot, very informative.”

-“I plan on applying in the dispatch department soon.”

Have questions or want to sign up for a future trip? Contact Career Services and join our next tour to Quicken Loans on December 1^st!

By Maria Ramos, Spanish and Latin American Culture professor

Ofrendas have a special place in my native culture and in my heart.  Meaningfully decorated altars commemorating the lives of loved ones who have died are a Día de los Muertos (Day(s) of the Dead) tradition that has been passed down generation to generation in my family, and it is a joy to be able to share it with you.

Please join me on Thursday, Nov. 2, at noon, for an altar-making workshop in the Lorenzo Cultural Center during Macomb’s commemoration of Día de los Muertos.  I will show you how to create your own ofrenda to honor someone dear that you have lost.  For inspiration, there will be a display of ofrendas remembering Macomb faculty and staff who have died over the past year.  Each includes a brief bio, written in Spanish by one of my students, recognizing the contributions and dedication of these former colleagues.

Whether you join me to create an ofrenda honoring one of your own loved ones or to view the ofrenda display paying tribute to departed Macomb faculty and staff, please remember that Día de los Meurtos is not a time for grief.  It is, instead, a true celebration of life, but with a gentle reminder that we should not take it for granted.