Recent Program Features

After receiving his associates degree from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Gabe Hewitt had his sights set on attending a four-year institution where he could continue his passion for journalism. He instantly became drawn to the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus for its diverse organization opportunities and close community-like environment. At Minnesota State, Hewitt would pursue Mass Media and go on to become Editor in Chief of the campus newspaper and President of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Minnesota State’s campus newspaper ‘The Reporter’ has been a part of the University since 1926. The completely student-run newspaper has provided a unique look into the history of the University and Mankato community, while continuing to give students a voice on campus where they can inform, celebrate, and share their experiences. News, events and reviews allow students, staff, alumni and the community to keep connected to Minnesota State. The digitization of the paper has made The Reporter accessible to Minnesotans all across the State.

Gabe Hewitt was proud and grateful when he was chosen for the opportunity to become Editor in Chief for a paper that had such a rich history. This position included managing the editors and writers to generate content, look over all stories and make design adjustments, accurately represent the diverse culture of the University in the material, and speak before the student senate to advocate for the newspaper. Hewitt was also one of the first Mass Media majors to be chosen for the position and from that background was able to hold writers to a high standard of quality, professionalism, and reputable stories and sources.

Hewitt’s hope is that a first-year student walking around campus would pick up the latest issue and be able to read stories that represent their culture, issues, ideas, and connect them with various events around campus. “The Reporter is a platform for involvement and a place to give students a voice, who may not feel that they normally have one on perspectives and opinions about things happening on campus”, says Hewitt. His goal is that The Reporter continues to encompass community values and allow students, staff, and alumni to create connections and resources with one another to foster success.

During his time at Minnesota State Hewitt was also elected chapter president of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Here he organized and created workshops on journalism topics and invited speakers from all over the state to talk about what is happening in the media. Hewitt’s passion for SPJ led him to the idea of connecting individuals from both organizations to share and connect about media and journalism together, even attending media tours of the Star Tribune and NPR news.

Although Hewitt finished his position as Editor in Chief in May after graduating, he hopes that he has planted the seeds to keep the campus paper more accessible to the campus community, especially in a digital moving world. After bolstering the social media pages and starting the framework for a podcast series, Hewitt believes that more individuals will be able to read, share, and listen to the content in ways never imagined 90 years ago at the start. Though the paper is already in a digital format, Hewitt still sees the value in picking up a paper copy and reading it over coffee or with a group of friends.

A campus paper that is open platform and completely student-run are becoming rare, but Hewitt believes that his opportunity as Editor in Chief at Minnesota State University has prepared him for future success. Hewitt says, “Minnesota State has given me the tools to thrive in a changing industry. Media is a type of profession where to be successful you need a portfolio of projects and works, something that speaks to your strengths and interests. Minnesota State University and these groups have helped me build this portfolio to take with me after graduation and future employees will appreciate the opportunities I have been able to take and be a part of.”

Big ideas and real-world thinking on campus and in the community.

2018 Finalists

Twin Cities Engineering Consulting - Best Business Plan and Overall Winner

Where are they now?

Twin Cities Engineering is taking orders for their EnduraMark recyclable and reusable marker and they are seeking help getting into large office supply distribution.

Messy Dog LLC

Where are they now?

Messy Dog continues to provide positive reinforcement dog training at their facility in the Old Town neighborhood in Mankato.

O - Cam- Best Pitch Winner

Where are they now?

Sherif and his partners are using the funds from the Big Idea Challenge to develop a functioning prototype of their camera and app.

Mobile Restock

Where are they now?

Michael continues to run Mobile Restock selling cell phones to a wide variety of customers while finishing his degree.

Cubic 3D LLC

Where are they now?

John presented his business at Big Ideas and at 1Million Cups Mankato. At 1MC, a developer offered him inexpensive space to do his additive manufacturing work. His business is operating in the Mogwai Collaborative in the Hubbard Building near the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Ag/Food/Beverage Division

Foober

Coconut Whisk Baking Co. - Ag/Food/Beverage Division Winner

Where are they now?

Bella and Myles started selling their baking mixes at Hy-Vee after winning in the Big Ideas Challenge. They sold out of all their product in their first two weeks on the shelves. They have expanded to Hy-Vee in Lakeville, MN and were vendors at the 2018 Twin Cities Veg Fest.

Bella was featured on the cover of River Valley Woman Magazine November, 2018.

They continue to donate 5% of their profits to animals and kids in need.

Before your internship ends and you are able to receive a grade, you must complete the following.

1. Final Employer Evaluation

• Your employer will receive an email with a link to the evaluation.
• This email will be sent 3 weeks before the end of the semester and must be completed before the end of your internship.
• It is the student’s responsibility to remind their supervisor to complete this evaluation. If your supervisor needs a new copy of the evaluation link, email cobinternships@mnsu.edu. Please suggest to your supervisor to check their spam folders.

2. Final Student Evaluation

• You will receive an email with a link to the evaluation.
• This email will be sent 3 weeks before the end of the semester and must be completed before the end of your internship.
• If you need a new copy of the evaluation link, email cobinternships@mnsu.edu.

3. Final Written Paper

• The report should be typed and meet collegiate writing standards. Both the content of the final report and the quality of your writing will affect your grade which will be given by your MBA Director.
• The final paper must be uploaded to Handshake Experiences. Click “View Details” under your internship, then “New Attachment” on the left side.

Important Notes:

• You will not receive any information for the internship course on D2L. Everything will be processed through Handshake Experiences.
• All internship course requirements are due the Friday before Finals Week. If your internship continues after the semester ends and you will not be able to complete the requirements by the deadline, email cobinternships@mnsu.edu to arrange an alternate deadline

If you have any questions, email the MBA Director or cobinternships@mnsu.edu.

Once you have gotten permission, register for the course in eServices.

MBA 698 (2 credits) — MBA Internship Credit
Satisfies one of the elective courses in the MBA program. Each credit requires a minimum of 45 hours of work. You will have to pay for these credits like any other class.

If you have questions about registering, please email cobinternships@mnsu.edu.