This Student View originally appeared on MSUToday.
Emilio Silerio-Gonzalez at graduation. Courtesy photoBefore stepping onto campus, I committed to maximizing my time at Michigan State for professional and academic development. Initially, thanks to connections made during Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy’s M.A.G.I.C. program, I landed a communications e-board position with a blossoming student organization called Latino Leaders in Policy. That experience led me to an internship at MSU's Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact and at University Communications and Marketing, where I have been working for three years, most recently as the lead intern.
Beyond the professional, my commitment also led me to maximize my time academically. In my second year, I decided to use the freed-up credits from my main social relations and policy major to pursue a double major in public relations. By engaging meaningfully in class and connecting with my professors, I landed multiple on-campus positions.
Associate Professor Anastasia Kononova introduced me to Edward Timke, another professor in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, who offered me a research assistant role and, a year later, an undergraduate learning assistant position. As a student, I wanted to make the most of my time and seek out connections, both in and out of class.
By my third year, I felt proud of the connections and professional development I had under my belt. Not only was I succeeding as a double-major student, but I was also balancing multiple part-time jobs through my communications internship, research assistant and undergraduate learning positions. However, I felt I was missing something.
I began attending more social events and eventually joined the MSU Climb Club. Now, a year later, I wish that I had joined the club years ago. I have met such great people, visited such beautiful places and built a community that I hope will last indefinitely. In my experience, what you value most is not the achievements or work that you have done, but rather the people you meet and the connections that you make.
I would be remiss to not acknowledge those who went out of their way to support me throughout my journey at MSU. JMC professors Gene Burns, Jennifer Sykes and Daniel Ahlquist inspired me to become a changemaker; CommArtSci professors Edward Timke, Anastasia Kononova and Jennifer Davis helped me develop professionally with open arms; during the M.A.G.I.C. Program, OMEA’s Juan Flores connected me with now alum Alexie Milukhin and Jesus Hernandez, which led to the communications internship with Communications Manager Henry Mochida, who is probably the kindest and most supportive boss I will ever have. Seriously, thank you all.
Looking back at my time at MSU, I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward, I intend to support public policy efforts and hope to make a difference for future generations, the Spartan way.
Like most things in life, you do not truly learn about something until you experience it. My advice to current and incoming Spartans is to experience as much as possible and maximize the time that you have at MSU. As a first-year student, four years seemed like a millennium, but as they say, time flies when you’re having fun.