Human Development & Family Studies | Michigan State University

In today’s economy, students need more than a degree to get their resumes noticed!  Employers like students who have internships and other experiences in addition to their degrees.

Kelley Bishop, MSU’s Career Services Director, said “it’s imperative that students get aggressive about their futures early in their college careers by networking with prospective employers, landing internships and developing critical thinking skills.” (November 16, 2009)

Human Development and Family Studies graduates are required to complete service-learning and practical experiences as part of their undergraduate degree programs, and the University offers many options for students to meet this requirement.  Make sure you make connections with faculty and academic staff on campus to learn about opportunities.

Additional Majors, Minors and Specializations

• Adding a second degree, minor or specialization to your degree program may not be as hard as you think, as many courses overlap requirements. Speak with an Academic Advisor about your options.

Undergraduate Research

• The Child Development Laboratories have volunteer and research opportunities during the year for students interested in working with young children and their families. 
• The Couple & Family Clinic offers a year long practicum experience for students interested in Marriage (Couple) and Family Therapy.
• For other opportunities, visit the Undergraduate Research Database.

Undergraduate Learning Assistants

• Undergraduate Learning Assistants help instructors teaching undergraduate level courses or conducting research and outreach.  It’s a great opportunity to work one-on-one with a scholar in your interest area, be mentored and gain experience.  Keep an eye on your e-mail for the openings announcement before each semester.

Honors College Students

• Students in the Honors College are encouraged and supported with opportunities for H-College options in HDFS courses (excluding laboratory sections), gaining experience in research in the Child Development Laboratories or working one-on-one with professors in the department on their research projects (aging, poverty, special needs children and youth, extension, Couple and Family Therapy or becoming a Peer Learning Assistant in an undergraduate course.  Dr. Larry Schiamberg is the HDFS Honors College Advisor and can be reached at: schiambe@msu.edu.

Leadership Positions

• The Dean's Student Advisory Council is comprised of two students from each major in the college. They are chosen for their academic excellence, interest in issues affecting education and their ability to represent their majors and communicate effectively.  These students also help to select Commencement speakers, have helped write a College Honor Code and have opportunities to work the Social Science College Dean's staff on other projects.

• Elizabeth Kirsch, HDFS senior and Alexis Allum, HDFS sophomore will serve this year on the Council to represent the Department's undergraduate students to the Dean during the 2013-2014 school year.

• TBD will serve as the Department's representative to the College Hearing Board for 2013-2014.

 

Student Clubs

• The HDFS Club is a student run organization which does community service, fundraising and plans events for area children, youth and families. Jessica Westmoreland is the President of the club and can be contacted at: westmor9@msu.edu.
• The Child Life Organization for Spartan Students (CLOS) is a student run organization that is interested in learning about working with children and youth in health care settings, getting nationally certified as a Child Life Specialist and fundraising for children and youth with health care concerns.  For more information contact clos.msu@gmail.com.

 

Networking with Alumni-Social Media

HDFS is using Social Media so our graduates can stay connected with the department while they are on campus and after they graduate.  Look for HDFS Alumni-Michigan State University at Linkedin.com.  Graduates often send job opportunities to us and that's how we distribute them.  Please connect with us.

 

Volunteering and Internships

• The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement is the MSU unit to help you find volunteer and internship opportunities in the community or around the world including Alternative Spring Break.  Positions are posted at the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement.  Please visit the Resource section of the website for more information.

Study Abroad

• Studying for one week, one semester or an entire year in another country will change your life!  Programs are available on all continents and throughout the year.  Please speak with an Academic Advisor if you are interested in studying abroad; and we can help you plan for the experience without delaying your degree program.  A full list of programs is available at the study abroad website. Please visit us at the Study Abroad Fair in September and in March every year.
  

Study Away

• The College of Social Science offers domestic, off-campus programs for students who want to develop as professionals with field experience and classroom learning in Washington, D.C., New Orleans or Hawaii.  There are information sessions offered throughout the year, please check your e-mail.  A description of the programs is available at the study away website or through your Academic Advisor.
  

Service Learning

• Opportunities abound for you to get involved in the Greater Lansing and East Lansing area.  The University has developed relationships with hundreds of local agencies for students to gain experience, give back to the community and be mentored by professionals.  The Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagment provides orientation, training, scholarships and opportunities.

Professional Organizations

• Joining a professional organization or attending a professional conference shows interest in your chosen profession. A small sample of organizations that are of interest to HDFS students are:
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • Child Life Council
  • National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
  • American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
  • American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

For more information about building your credentials and getting involved in your interest area, please visit the Resource page in this website, schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor, or e-mail hdfsadv@msu.edu for more information about these and other opportunities.