Campus Rec Alumni Profile

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

CAITLIN SHANAHAN

What year did you graduate from MSU? 2019

What was your major(s)? Major: Psychology, Minor(s): Sociology & Public Health

How many years did you work as a student leader

for Campus Rec while at MSU? 4

Which position(s) did you hold while a student

leader in MSU Campus Rec? Facilities Attendant, Personal Trainer, Building Manager, Office Assistant, Special Events Attendant, Special Events Director, Rec Nights Event Director.

What have you been doing since you graduated

from MSU? I went on to Graduate school at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City to study and obtain my Masters in School Counseling. While there, I was a Graduate Assistant for the the Recreational Life Center on campus as well as the Graduate Assistant for the Caulfield School of Education.

What is your favorite memory of MSU Campus

Rec? Honestly, my favorite memory of MSU Campus Rec was being involved in every way that I could. Becoming a part of NIRSA as well as ACSM, traveling across the country to various conferences and getting closer to my coworkers/supervisors are some of my absolute favorite memories. I have lifelong friends because of MSU Campus Rec.

How did working for MSU Campus Rec help

prepare you for life after college? MSU Campus Rec helped prepare me for a life after college by showing me how to support myself as well as cultivate a group of people to surround myself with that I know will be there for me and guide me when I need it most. MSU Campus Rec showed me how to job search, write/ edit a resume, work on myself personally as well as professionally, and most importantly -- how to have fun.

What advice would you give to today’s MSU

Campus Rec student leaders? If I were to give today’s MSU Campus Rec student leaders advice, I would tell them to branch out as much as humanly possible. Apply for everything the Rec Center has to offer, even if you aren’t sure you will like it. Talk to your Professional Staff, get to know them as well as you can. The single most important thing a student leader could possibly do for themselves while working for the Rec Center is to get involved, in every way. Sometimes students have a hard time seeing their value in Campus Rec or have a difficult time seeing their future there. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t hesitate to try different things. For me, it was worth every day spent there and it can be that way for others too.