Michigan State University Pi Beta Phi: February 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Interview with Alumna Hilary Huston

When you lived in the Pi Phi house did you ever go on a ghost hunt? Our next interviewee, Hilary Huston, counts that as one of her favorite Pi Phi memories!

Initiation Year: Spring 2002

Offices Held: Standards Board (2 years)

Did you live in the house? How many years? Yes, I lived in for one year, my junior year in Room 9.

What did you enjoy about living in? Living with so many great girls. There was always something going on and someone to have fun with or study with.

Favorite Pi Phi memory? I have so many great Pi Phi memories it’s hard to pick just one favorite. Some of my favorite memories come from sitting around telling stories or talking to alumnae about their experiences. Big Sis Revealing and Initiation are always special memories. One of my favorite memories from living in the house was going on ghost hunts! And of course tailgate at the Rock and Greek Week!

Hilary (right) with her Pi Phi Big Sister Marisa

What are you up to now? Currently I am living in Lansing and working for MSU! I am a Dining Service Manager at The Gallery (located in Snyder-Phillips Hall) and have worked on campus full time for 6 years now!

Are you involved officially as alumnae (Alum Club, AAC, House Corp)? What chapter? I was on House Corp for a little over two years at MI Gamma, but currently am not involved. I wish Lansing had an Alum Club, heard it’s in the works though!

Giving what you know now, what advice would you give to your college-age self? To not take anything for granted and just make the best of all the experiences good or bad!

Do you have any resume pointers or interview skills to share? Spell check your resume and take time to tailor the resume to the job position. As far as interview skills; dress to impress and watch your body language. Be confident and be prepared to speak about both your strengths and weaknesses.

Hilary (far left) with MI Gamma Alumnae Erin and Marisa

What is something you wish you were better at? I really wish I was better at keeping in touch with friends from college!

Do you have a favorite quote? "Women should be two things: Classy and Fabulous!"~ Coco Chanel

Favorite TV Show and/or Movie? Right now my favorite TV shows are 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory, and New Girl. One of my all time favorite movies is The Wedding Date.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Married with a couple kids and a dog :)

What is something people may not know about you? I would love to own a bed and breakfast some day with a winery and tasting room!

Thanks Hilary for sharing your advice and memories with us! We look forward to visiting that bed and breakfast someday!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Interview with Alumna Sandy Luc McDonell

Are you a Lansing Area MI Gamma Alum? Or perhaps a fan of Greek Week? Then you'll want to check out the next interview with MI Gamma Alumna Sandy Luc McDonell!

Initiation Year: Fall 2000

Offices Held: Asst. Pledge Educator, Recruitment Chair & Greek Week Chair

Did you live in the house? Yes How many years? 2

What did you enjoy about living in? I liked how at any time there was always someone to talk to or someone to go out with! If you needed to go to the mall, the gym, or the library it was really nice!

Favorite Pi Phi memory? My Favorite Pi Phi Memory... hard to answer because so many things pop up in my head! One that stands out for me was Greek Week, we had Relay for Life, and we all signed up for different times and when it got to 3am to 5am it was just me and my Little Sister, Ryan Kelly. WE WALKED FOR HOURS!!!! It was a lot of fun!

Sandy (left) with her Little Sister Ryan

What are you up to now? What am I not up to?!? LOL I grew up in the East Lansing area, so I have a local business with my mother in Okemos, Alteration & More. I also have my own company, Bodysocks, INC/Designing Women, where I make, design, and produce show choir costumes for Sweet Adelines, High School Choirs and other musical groups. My husband and I also have several retail stores and rental properties in the Mid-Michigan Area.

How has Pi Phi influenced/affected your post-college life? Pi Phi is great post college. It made the transition to "growing up" easy. I still have friends at MSU and plenty of places to visit and people to see after I left college. I like that no matter what city I am in, I can find another Pi Phi I went to college with and catch up with them. It's a great for networking too! Especially with members or Alumnae from other Sororities!

Are you involved officially as alumnae (Alum Club, AAC, House Corp)? What chapter? I've been a part of the Novi/Northville Alumnae Club, I do have to drive an hour to get there but it's great to see other Pi Phis and we always have a cause to get together! We've adopted families over the holidays and we've had book drives at Founder's Day events as well. I've recently joined the Michigan Gamma House Corp and am planning to rejuvenate the Lansing Area Alumnae Club! I'm hoping to have a kick and our first meeting by Founders Day! If you know any Lansing Area Alums please email me: sandy.mcdonell@gmail.com or join our group on the Facebook: Pi Beta Phi Lansing Alumnae Club

What are your thoughts on your involvement as an alumnae in the group you participate in? I like that I can give time and energy for all the good causes and that we can still meet and have a good time, like we did in college!

What do you wish you had known when you were in college? Well, I definitely wish I rushed my Freshman year instead of waiting a year! What do I wish I had known then? Not to take things so seriously!

Giving what you know now, what advice would you give to your college-age self? Have better time management! Take time for yourself and your friends. The books are always there!

Do you have any resume pointers or interview skills to share? When I'm looking for Interns (I always am, MSU Students I am looking for Apparel & Textile Design Interns, no experience required! Email me for more details), I look for someone who is personable, confident, and has enthusiasm for the job and willing to learn. PLEASE learn a little about the company you interview with. You don't need to know everything, but at least what they do! And of course, have someone else proof read your resume! No matter how many times you have read it, you don't always catch the smallest mistake!

Sandy with fellow MI Gamma Pi Phi Alums

What is something you wish you were better at? Time Management and Organization! I'm getting better but keeping and sticking to a schedule would be awesome!

Do you have a personal motto? Not really, but I like to be nice to others!!!

Do you have a favorite quote? No, but I like the saying "What goes around, comes around!"

Favorite TV Show and or Movie? TV show: MAURY! hahaha I have to know who the Baby's Dad is and Movie: Saved!

What is something on your bucket list? I would love to go to Alaska!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I am hoping to be a Mom by then and be able to still run my businesses!

What is something people may not know about you? I've always wanted to write a book! Maybe one day I'll find the time!

Thanks Sandy for such a wonderful interview! Good luck with all your current projects and thanks for taking on the revival of the Lansing Area Alumnae Club!

If anyone is interested in joining or helping Sandy out with the Pi Beta Phi Lansing Alumnae Club please email her at sandy.mcdonell@gmail.com or check out the club's Facebook page.

Also, if you or anyone you know is an Apparel & Textile Design and would like to take Sandy up on her offer to work with her as an intern send her an email!