Collins speaks to current and former CAI Student Fellows as part of Alumni Homecoming

Elizabeth Le Febre, Communications Student Fellow

Students are always asked what comes next — what’s after this semester? What’s in store for the summer? What about after graduation? However, students aren’t usually asked to think about the end. As in the end of it all. Yet, attendees at the Center for Academic Innovation’s student fellow alumni event were deliberately asked to consider death so they could put in perspective what they want to do with their lives. 

Most don’t know the answer to these questions. There’s a lot to juggle as a student, and the thought of getting your life planned out can be overwhelming. Marcus Collins, a clinical assistant professor of marketing at the Ross School of Business, shared some advice for current students, though: take opportunities as they come and don’t regret not taking risks or doing things that might scare you. 

Collins shared his perspective with a group of current and former Student Fellows as part of the Center for Academic Innovation’s first Student Fellowship Program Alumni Homecoming event in early October. The event allowed past and present Student Fellows to engage with each other and the center’s full-time staff. Collins was the keynote speaker for the event, and in his presentation, he spoke about perception and encouraged the attendees to “die empty.”

Collins’ Perspective

Collins shared his story, from his time as an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan to his current role as an assistant professor and best-selling author. Despite his impressive educational background and resume, Collins didn’t follow his original plan, and there were moments when he was unsure of his future.

Throughout his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, Collins studied engineering. However, his interests aligned more with the music industry, and he spent most of his spare time writing songs and learning about music composition and production. 

Graduating with an engineering degree, Collins started writing and performing his music. An economic recession led him to business school, and eventually a job at Apple.  He left Apple and completed a master’s program at Michigan Ross, moved to New York City, and embarked on a prolific marketing career for major global brands. Needless to say, Collins never could have predicted his winding career journey when he first enrolled in college.

Collins’ career adaptability resonates with former project management Student Fellow Amelia Berry, one of the alumni who attended the event. “The most striking part of Marcus’s presentation for me was the focus on allowing change in your career journey,” Berry said. “Just as Marcus described, new opportunities presented and my goals shifted towards project management … I am now working as a full-time project manager at a technology company, something I never would’ve expected when I first started at CAI over five years ago.”

And for current student fellows, Collins’ story felt relatable and inspiring. It is a reassuring example that even the most successful people didn’t always have a solidified plan. “Hearing Marcus’ perspective on how he’s navigated these different roles … was encouraging,” Michigan junior Ohn Yoo, the design and project manager Student Fellow, said. “The concept of ‘dying empty,’ that resonated with me.” 

‘Die Empty’

The concept of “dying empty” was Collins’ call to action to those in attendance, and a way to put the world into perspective. 

“Do you know when the bad stuff is going to come?” he asked. “I have no clue. We don’t know, but all you can do is sort of plan for what might happen.”

Collins said that, “this notion of ‘die empty,’ it really is just changing our perception of the world around us, and the fear that keeps us from fully leveraging it … The thing that’s keeping us from realizing the best version of ourselves is just us. It’s not even talent, it’s not an opportunity, it’s just us.”

Collins’ presentation definitely left a mark on the student fellows at the event. 

“He brought in a message regarding how we should not necessarily live our current day like it’s our last, but also not take things for granted and just strive to push ourselves towards things that fill our cup. I like that a lot,” Yoo said. 

After Collins’ talk, current and former alumni were able to discuss what life after college looks like, and how some of it can be so unexpected. The event was a chance for students to apply Collins’ advice, taking advantage of an opportunity to learn from people who have been in their shoes. 

 “Our past fellows can help us in many ways,” Roderick Simmons, the CAI student experience and engagement lead, said. “ We think there are some really cool connecting points where our current fellows and our past fellows can support one another … there’s a feeding of information, peer to peer, whether it’s professional advice or an opportunity to network … that will provide some really great opportunities.”