The March Student Spotlight features an exceptional marketing student, Mia McDermott! 

Mia McDermott is a junior here at Missouri State. Mia is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science and is studying Marketing. Mia decided to switch from Finance to Advertising and Promotion, and is currently working in the Student Employment Office. 

Mia applied for the role shortly after making her major switch. Mia states, “I knew this position would be a great way to gain hands-on experience in what I was studying while also enjoying the benefits that come with being a student worker.”

Q: What do you do in this position?

“I create content for the Student Employment Office and publish it on our social media or around campus. I also help with miscellaneous design projects in the office and document events that we hold each semester such as the Student Job Fair and National Student Employment Week.”

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?

“I like that I get to do a lot of work outside of the office. We try to promote student employment with posters, chalk, and interviews, so I get to do a lot of on campus work as well.”

Q: How would you say this job has shaped you? 

“My job has not only given me real-world experience, taught me discipline and strong communication skills, but it has also added to my confidence as a professional. For the last two semesters I have been meeting with students around campus and have had the chance to meet so many amazing people (including staff), and it has allowed me to open up more and make connections that I never thought were possible before I became our marketing coordinator.”

In this role, Mia runs the Student Employment Office social media pages to produce engaging content for MSU students, and create promotional materials for the departments events. Mia is also responsible for all account layouts such as the MSU website, weekly newsletters, increase brand awareness, and publicize on and off-campus job listings. 

Q: How has your interactions been with the Marketing Department? 

“I have taken many marketing courses through the College of Business. I have also been in the Marketing office recently to interview several student nominees for national student employment week. Peggy [Kahre, Administrative Assistant] was really helpful with some of the footage I wanted to collect, and she even gave me information on the Marketing Graduate Assistantship.”

Over summer Mia will be working as an Operations Support Intern for Sunset Transportation in St. Louis. As for post-graduation, Mia is still undecided about where she wants to work exactly, but Mia wants new experiences and would love if her future job would allow her to travel and create content for brands/airbnbs/hotels, etc.

Mia’s final advice to younger students is to get involved around campus. “Whether it is joining an organization or applying to a new job, being involved is a great way to gain professional skills and make connections.” 

Good luck on your future endeavors, Mia! Well done!!