Editor’s note: This story is part of a series tracking the experiences of four graduating seniors at four different Michigan universities. It is a partnership between the Detroit Free Press, Michigan State University student reporters and the American Communities Project.
As Michigan looks to grow its population, one demographic the state isn’t leaving behind is university students.
“One of the things we know is that we’re a net importer of students — lots of folks chose to stay or come to Michigan to attend Michigan universities — and it’s incumbent upon us to show them the many reasons to build their futures here,” said Hilary Doe, the state and nation’s first Chief Growth Officer.
Her office, established in 2023, is working on a few ideas related to keeping young talent in Michigan. They’ve hosted field trips that expose students to some of Michigan’s vibrant communities and stunning natural beauty in hopes that they start thinking about a life in the state, and road shows to areas with lots of graduates from Michigan universities. Her colleagues at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Action Team have a Michigander Scholarship that connects students to positions in key industries. The state has opened the challenge up to cities with its Make MI Home grant program, where cities can come up with their own plans and get grants to encourage people to grow roots in Michigan.
But Doe’s office and these programs are new; many of today’s college students started school before they existed.
The Detroit Free Press partnered with Michigan State University and the American Communities Project to follow four seniors at four Michigan universities as they graduate and make big decisions about their futures, including where they go next.
Rania Umer, Wayne State University
At the beginning of her college career at Washtenaw Community College, Rania Umer felt like she was treading water. Raised in Kuwait, the American education system was completely unfamiliar to her, and even with a strong academic background, she was adjusting to more than just lectures and exams — she had to overcome the shock of a whole new system.
Umer transferred to Wayne State University with a 3.01 GPA but walked across the graduation stage with distinction — and a sense of confidence.
“That sort of jump is something that has shown me that I am capable. I can do this because, just before I transferred, I started having doubts in myself,” Umer said. “I started having doubts in my abilities and thought, ‘Do I have imposter syndrome? The whole time — what happened?’ ”
Now, as a graduate of the Honors College, Umer finds herself on solid ground.
“Graduating with distinction, being able to get into the Honors College — they were all things that brought back the beliefs I used to have about myself,” she said. “I think that in and of itself is very important to me. It’s integral to me because it’s a huge part of who I am.”
That self-assurance didn’t come from a single success, but rather from years of steady growth — academically, emotionally, and professionally. After graduation, Umer is taking a gap year to study for the LSAT and apply to law schools. For her, the goal isn’t to rush but to choose the right path with care.
This summer, she’ll intern with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. She has previously interned with the Michigan House of Representatives. Through those experiences, Umer hopes to explore different areas of law and find the field that best fits. So far, administrative law — grounded and logical — has caught her attention.
Umer is graduating without student debt — something that was important to her because, as a Muslim, she avoids taking on interest-bearing loans. With the support of her family, scholarships, and a Pell Grant based on household income, she was able to pay for school out of pocket.
While many of her peers are chasing immediate milestones or salaries, Umer is focused on clearing the next academic hurdle.
“For the upcoming year, I just want to get my LSAT done, get my law school application done,” she said. “There is no sort of milestone I want to reach — it’s just getting school out of the way.”
Her advice to others is shaped by the journey that brought her here.
“Don’t be afraid to take on something, even if it seems scary,” she said. “If there’s an opportunity that feels different or daunting — that’s probably the one you should go for.”
From doubting herself as a newcomer to the American education system to stepping into the legal world with purpose, Rania Umer has learned to trust the process — and her own potential.
Hannah Schreiber, Michigan State University
With graduation behind her, Michigan State University alumna Hannah Schreiber is setting her goals to pursue her dream of becoming an advertising professional in the Windy City.
“I’m planning to move to Chicago once I have a job secured,” she said, “It’s been my dream to work there and I’m really excited to take that next step.”
Though she hasn’t accepted a position yet, she’s actively applying for account management positions and staying optimistic about the process.
“I’m feeling good about what’s ahead,” she said, “in the creative industry hiring trends happen close to the start date, so I’ve just been staying ready and keeping an eye on opportunities.”
Schreiber credits her time at MSU with helping her develop confidence, hard work and growth.
Looking back on who she was when she first started on campus, the transformation is clear.
“Freshman me would be so proud,” said Schreiber, “I’ve grown so much. I’m more confident in myself, clearer about my goals, and more willing to take risks.”
She took full advantage of opportunities to improve her skills at MSU, from her coursework to studying abroad.
“If I could recommend any program to a student, it would be studying abroad. Specifically, the ADPR à la Mediterranean program,” said Schreiber, “It broadened my perspective on the global impact of creativity.”
Beyond academics, the relationships she formed at MSU have left a lasting impression. She credits her professors, mentors, and the friendships she has made.
Her post-graduation vision is clear: She wants to grow in her field, work with a passionate team and make an impact through creativity and strategy.
“I want to land a role at an agency I love, and just keep learning and growing. I’m excited to see what’s next,” she said.
Mia Cotton, University of Michigan
As Mia Cotton capped off her final semester at the University of Michigan, she took a moment to remember her days at the university and in Ann Arbor.
“It’s very bittersweet,” Cotton said. She is sad about her friends leaving after school is over, because she will be taking a gap year before starting a master’s degree.
As a Flute Performance major, she had a final recital, which her family came up to see. Her final recital was in honor of her mom, and she thought it was a great opportunity to show what she had been practicing and her accomplishments
She decided to stay in Ann Arbor because of the connections she has made through the school.
“Music is very network-based,” Cotton said. She wouldn’t have the same connections if she moved back to her home state of Texas, she said.
Cotton said her solo concert made her realize how much she had grown from her first semester to her performance as a senior.
The university “left me with a better vision of myself and my future,” Cotton said. She mainly attributed this to an instructor who was her biggest cheerleader and showed her that you can pursue music as a career.
“It’s cool to look back now,” Cotton said. Moving far away from her home state gave her a new independence and made her develop a new support system.
When looking back on her years, the only thing she wished she had done differently was venture out and check out more of the university outside of the music program, including some campus events and organizations.
“It is really easy to say I need to practice this many hours a day,” Cotton said, and almost all of her classes were in the music building.
Mohamed Diouf, Western Michigan University
Mohamed Diouf already walked in graduation last semester, but needed a few more hours of flight training to complete his degree in Aviation Flight Science at Western Michigan University.
By joining the program, Diouf decided to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a pilot. Growing up near the airport in Dakar, Senegal, he would always watch the planes over his city and wonder what it would feel like to fly one of them.
This spring, he celebrated an important milestone by passing his commercial check ride. This final examination consisted of a ground discussion and flight portion and was a requirement to receive his multi-engine pilot license. “I’m just glad that I passed,” he said.
Diouf experienced a few unexpected delays during his degree. First, the weather did not allow him to fly much during the winter months. Then, his check ride had to be rescheduled multiple times. He is now eager to finally launch his career. “I’m ready for a new journey,” he said.
But before leaving Kalamazoo, Diouf needs to enroll in one more training program to obtain a single-engine add-on rating. Completing this will enable him to fly aircraft with a single engine, which is essential for the next step in his career.
The add-on should not take him too long: Two months, a few more flights, one more check ride. The exact timing will depend on the weather and scheduling a check ride, again. Once he passes, Diouf wants to pursue an accelerated, two-week program to become a certified flight instructor. Maybe in Colorado. Maybe somewhere locally.
He envisions starting his career as a flight instructor at a university program for a few years. This will let him gain even more experience in the air before joining a regional airline, and eventually, pursuing his goal of becoming an international pilot for a major airline like Delta or United.
Diouf is looking forward to progressing in the aviation industry, although he has heard about current hiring implications. “The airlines are cautious right now. They are more conservative with the things they do,” he said. But he is not worried that this is going to affect him in the long run. “Eventually, things are going to get better,” he said.
In terms of salary expectations, Diouf could not complain. “It’s really good right now,” he said. While the pay as a flight instructor might be a little lower initially, he foresees himself making anywhere between 80K and 100K working as a copilot for a regional airline.
For now, Diouf is looking forward to a little break. “I’ll definitely need to maybe take a week, just go on vacation and not do something related to aviation,” he said. Once his lease in Kalamazoo ends, Diouf plans to move in with family in Detroit, but only temporarily. He will figure out where his next career step will take him from there.
Overall, Diouf is excited to embark on a new journey as he continues to live up to his childhood dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot. With this in mind, he is glad to have joined the program, despite the delay. “It took quite a while, more than I expected, but I have no regrets. It’s still the path I want to take,” he said.
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Do you have feedback on this article or project? Contact Detroit Free Press State Government & Politics Editor Emily Lawler: elawler@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan wants to retain college grads. Here’s where the 4 we followed go next
Reporting by Meg Vandermark, Sophia Jundy, Kendra Conely and Sonja Krohn / Detroit Free Press
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