The MSU flavor

Abstract

There is no doubt graduates in marketing from the Michigan State University (MSU) doctoral program have a distinct flavor. Alumni are known for their work ethic and bold minds. Coming from Australia, I take pride in this image and try to uphold this reputation at every opportunity. The transition from student to graduate was a memorable experience in every way. Upon arrival in East Lansing in January of 2001, I was struck by the realization I had found a place where thinking was as admired as physical perspiration (Australians love their sports above all else). I immediately felt a sense of inclusion into the department as other students showed me where to shop and how to find journal articles. The doctoral seminars were intense at times where every waking moment was dedicated to reading and formulating frameworks. Each week was a blur of papers, summaries, critiques and research ideas. As each semester ended panic ensued as class papers became due. With the stated goal of journal submission quality, each class paper was a simulation for the future job of a professor. I recall the nervousness and pressure of presenting original work in a peer setting, and the pleasure of sharing new ideas with one another. I trudged across campus with my fellow students to take courses in statistics, across to Owen Hall for the pizza and soup lunch, and I became one with coffee. My officemate Destan Kandemir and I even ran a quasi café from our office. Unexpectedly, I found it was sometimes hard to explain the nature of our department to outsiders.“Oh, so you're studying in the marketing department”“Yes I am”“Do you do advertising?”“No, we have a separate school for that”.“What about communication?”“No, we have a separate school for that, and for packaging too”.“Well what do you do in the marketing department?”

Citation

Chan, K. (2008), "The MSU flavor", Tamer Cavusgil, S. (Ed.) Michigan State University Contributions to International Business and Innovation (Advances in International Marketing, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 149-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1474-7979(2009)0000019017