Q&A with advertising and promotion graduate, Chris Spray
I chose advertising and promotion because I have always had roots in a creative space. I wanted to be able to take business communication skills and mix them with creating content that inspires. A goal of mine is to help companies become genuinely involved and make a difference by focusing on social responsibility.
What was the most exciting professional or academic experience you had in college?
I would have to say my internship at Quicken Loans in Detroit during the summer of 2019. At first, I was nervous to commit to a sales oriented internship, yet it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I learned to involve myself with as much as possible, and that if you want something, you have to chase it down yourself. I was able to make some great connections, figure out what I wanted in regards to a career path (more than one), and gain a better understanding of who I was in my time away.
What were you involved in on or off campus?
I was a cabinet member with the Western Student Association, an advertising sponsor relations assistant with WMUK, a research assistant for Dr. Tim Palmer in the Center for Sustainable Business Practices, an executive board member for Ad Club, a sales development representative for EG Workforce Solutions and a client engagement intern for WMLY&R.
How was your experience in the Haworth College of Business unique?
It's all about getting involved. I think a lot of people are afraid or don't think that being involved in college will impact their careers. Fear is temporary, and you should always be involved, because it truly does help you stand out among the crowd when you're up for that next promotion.
Did you have a specific class or professor who made an impact for you? If so, please explain.
I have definitely given praise before, but there is no such thing as over-doing it. Bob Stewart made an incredible impact on not only my education, but my future career. His professional selling class was by far the best course I have taken. He knew exactly how to keep us engaged, and provided genuine, real-world experiences in all of the assignments and projects.
Speak to how the business college’s reputation for job placement and other points of pride benefited you and other students.
The sheer number of companies who come to recruit at WMU speaks for itself. The opportunity of not even having to leave campus to find a job is a great catch. I think this helps drive the top performers and create a passionate student body who really care about the work they are doing. Having so many majors to choose from also makes the classrooms feel like small communities, which is a pretty amazing experience.
What are your plans for the future?
After graduation, I relocated to Detroit and took a full-time position with Quicken Loans. My goal is to begin attending school part-time next year for a degree in sustainability. My time working with Dr. Palmer at the Haworth College of Business really inspired me to want to help companies have a greener footprint.