Every spring, one of my favorite days rolls around: Take Your Child to Work Day. As a lead coordinator of this incredible event, and a parent who has brought my own kids for the past 12 years, I can honestly say it’s a highlight of the year for my husband and I to attend, as well as for many of our Michigan State University (MSU) employees.
Through University Health and Wellbeing (UHW), approximately 30 units and departments offer tours and activities each year to honor the University’s values, support work-life balance and encourage collaboration – one of our key values. At UHW, our values enhance our purpose to support the community with health and wellbeing woven throughout all aspects of Spartan life.
This day is so much more than just an opportunity for children to join a special adult in their life at their job. It’s a chance for employees to share their full selves at work. When we bring children into our professional world, they get to see a side of us that they might not encounter at home. It’s a way to show them the passion and purpose we put into our work, and, in turn, it creates an entirely new layer of connection within our families.
Take Your Child to Work Day also provides kids with a unique opportunity to explore what it means to be part of a larger community—in this case, the Spartan community. From walking the campus to participating in hands-on activities and learning about a variety of career paths, these kids start to see the possibilities that lie ahead for them. Whether they’re 7 or 17, there’s something magical about watching their curiosity ignite as they explore what a university like MSU has to offer. Who knows? Maybe these early experiences will spark a lifelong connection to MSU or inspire them to pursue their own dreams here in the future.
Bringing my kids each year has been an eye-opening experience for me. When they were younger, they’d light up at getting their own badge, practicing with bow and arrows at Demmer Center, and ice skating at Munn Ice Arena. As they’ve gotten older, our conversations about the day have evolved. Now, they’re more interested in the career possibilities and what it takes to work at a place like MSU. Watching their interests grow and change over the years has been a joy and a reminder of how much they absorb from these moments.
This year was no different. While my kids are a little older now, we still enjoyed our traditional stop at the Dairy Store, savoring our favorite treats and chatting about their futures. I found myself smiling as we passed hundreds of other adults and children, their wide-eyed wonder and joy evident as they explored the campus. It was heartwarming to see so many families soaking in the day, connecting with each other, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.