Interview with Alumna Lauren Gardner

Today is Bid Day for MI Gamma!  

In honor of Bid Day we have a former VP Membership, Lauren Gardner, participating in the Interview Series.  Lauren can't say enough good things about her time as an active at MI Gamma and even more great words about the effect Pi Phi has had on her post graduation.

Initiation Year: Spring 2005

Offices Held: VP Membership, Associate Director- Greek Week '07, Director of Greek Week '08

Did you live in the house?  How many years? Yes, 1 year (junior year).

What did you enjoy about living in? There are so many great memories from living in.  Bonding with girls you never knew before living in, late night chats in the laughing corner, late night snacks in the kitchen, never missing any of the action, raids by fraternity boys, movie marathons in the basement, always having someone to go to Rick's with....I could go on.  Everyone should live in!!

Lauren with her Little Sis Nickie

Favorite Pi Phi memory? My favorite memory would definitely be my time as VP Membership.  The team I worked with (Erin Closser, Hazel Stinson, Laura Sauer) was awesome, and despite the stresses and lack of sleep that come with it all- we had an amazing recruitment...which is also when I met my one and only amazing little sis, Nickie Currie.

What are you up to now? I live in Chicago and work as a Media Supervisor at an agency called Starcom Mediavest Group.  I oversee all of the local/regional (and some national) broadcast media buying for Allstate, and I love my job.  I'm also involved with Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and volunteer as part of an auxiliary board that raises funds and awareness for pediatric brain cancer.

How has Pi Phi influenced/affected your post-college life? Pi Phi is definitely still a huge part of my life.  All of my best friends in Chicago were sorority sisters, and being in Pi Phi is what initially bonded all of us.  Additionally, I think that the leadership positions held in the sorority really helped prepare me for management roles in "the real world".

What do you wish you had known when you were in college? It's ok to not have your "life"/job/etc figured out by the time you graduate in May.

Lauren (center) with MI Gamma Alums Meghan and Sarah

Giving what you know now, what advice would you give to your college-age self? Don't stress as much, and don't take a job just to have a job.  I was lucky enough that my second job has very much become something that will be a life-long career.  My first job wasn't.

Do you have any resume pointers or interview skills to share? Don't be afraid to reach out to your network for help and advice.  I'm co-captain of the Michigan State Recruiting Team at my agency, so I get to come back to campus and present a few times a year.  I always encourage students to email me their resume, and am happy to provide feedback.  You have to do a good job of merchandising yourself, and taking the time to tailor your experiences to match each job you're applying for.  When I'm looking at entry level candidates, while internships are very important, I'm going to take a second look at someone who's taken the time to explain how their other experiences indirectly provided them with applicable skills for the job.  Don't be afraid to talk about extracurricular involvement as part of your "experience" on your resume.

What is something you wish you were better at? Playing ANY sport.  Athletic abilities are not something I was blessed with!

Do you have a personal motto? Things typically happen the way they're supposed to.

Do you have a favorite quote? "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible" -When Harry Met Sally (I'm a sucker for rom-coms)

Celebrating the holidays with MI Gamma Pi Phis

Favorite TV Show and or Movie? I love TV, so it's hard to narrow it down.  Right now I'd say a tie- True Blood/Revenge/Parenthood.  I also LOVED the series Homeland on Showtime.  Not a huge movie person but if I had to pick- Almost Famous.

What is something on your bucket list? I haven't been to Europe yet! A little cliche, but I'd like to make it sometime!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully a Media Director at a big agency! And a husband and a couple kids would be nice too :-)

What is something people may not know about you? I love cooking and baking.  It's really relaxing and fun and there's nothing I like better than conquering a new recipe!

Thanks Lauren for participating and sharing what you've learned and all your valuable interview and resume tips!  It's great to hear how much Pi Phi has influenced your life :)  Hopefully soon you'll be able to travel to Europe!