Sam Deleon-Castillo, Communications Fellow

Student Fellows at the Center for Academic Innovation receive valuable work experience and on-the-job training in many facets of creating online education and innovative learning experiences. Every year, hundreds of students from nearly every school and college at the University of Michigan apply for Fellowship positions in areas such as project management, learning experience design, educational technology, and accessibility. 

For years, Student Fellows have used the training and experience at the center as a stepping stone toward a career in education, technology, and innovation. The work experience is invaluable, but sometimes the things Fellows consider most fondly about their time at the center have nothing to do with their career path. For many Student Fellows, especially during times of year when coursework is high, free time is low, and stress is at its peak, the center becomes a welcome refuge. 

The center features speaker events, workshops, and more, providing its student workers with many working spaces, networking opportunities, and sometimes a good excuse not to pack a lunch. 

Student Fellows Haley Tolan, Srishti Bagalkoti, and Khoa Nguyen shared their experiences working at the center.

VIDEO | Haley, Srishti, and Khoa discuss fav memories and take a CAI quiz

They were asked to talk about the moments they might not feature on their resumes but were just as crucial in helping them to make the most of their Student Fellowships. 

Often, it involved working and talking with other Student Fellows.

BTS, What It’s Really Like To Work at CAI 

With more than 10 teams spanning three floors at the CAI building, the Fellows have established their favorite (and least favorite) spots to get some work done around the office. When asked to rank their favorite floors, there was a definite winner.

“My favorite is definitely the lower level. That’s where all the fun things happen, most of the students hang out there,” said Khoa Nguyen, a student engagement and outreach fellow.

The lower level, housing many educational technology and extended reality staff, attracts Fellows with its ample casual seating space and famous lunch gathering table. According to Haley, a project management fellow, what started as a lunch for the XR team turned into an all-are-welcome gathering spot, with students migrating from other floors to join in on the fun.

“I love the lower level big table, it’s so valuable to listen to all the lively conversations there, and everyone makes an effort to include everyone in the conversation. There are always people there, always,” Haley said.

The first floor, with many conference rooms for group meetings and co-working spaces for fellows to work alongside one another finished in a solid second place. The second floor was credited with having the most “professional vibes,” but finished third as the students surveyed said they were drawn to the more casual, lively atmosphere on the lower floors. 

Another highlight for Fellows is the center’s location, right in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. As much as they enjoyed working together inside the building, the opportunity to find a favorite spot for a quick lunch or a working session was a big benefit. 

There’s no shortage of delicious food nearby, whether you’re grabbing something quick or tagging along with a group. Some Fellows even discovered valuable “life hacks” in finding lunch deals or ways to avoid the busiest times, much needed when your spending money is limited.

“During the summer, I like Chipotle because it’s less crowded with most of the students gone. I also enjoy Amers, they have so much variety and have a lot of bang for your buck,” Srishti said. 

Although sandwiches are a staple lunchtime grab, all the fellows have fond memories of times when the sandwiches came to them.

“OMG, my favorite time was when we got catering from Zingermans. The pickles! It was just iconic honestly,” said Srishti.

Students are never ones to pass up an opportunity to enjoy some free food. Since the center hosts many guests throughout the year for speaking engagements and center-wide and cross-campus collaborations, leftover catering is always a pleasant surprise. 

Lasting Friendships… And Presenting At The President’s House

There is never a shortage of fun memories when you are a Student Fellow. Between the professional development experiences, Fellows find the most valuable thing they gained was the connections they made during and outside of work hours. 

“I love hanging out with Fellows. I especially love the impromptu coffee runs with Fellows. In fact, one time I was enjoying our conversation so much that I almost missed an important meeting,” said Khoa.

“My favorite CAI memory was being able to go to the president’s house to show off a full 360 photo of what they are projecting campus to look like in 2050. I mostly enjoy those experiences, those involving collaboration, not even just between teams, but also cross campus partnerships,” shared Haley.

“My favorite memory is the department lunches. I love chatting with the whole team and learning things about them that I never knew,” said Srishti.

Whether grabbing lunch, swapping stories at the prized lower-level table, or having coffee chats that go on maybe a little too long, the center’s Student Fellows know how to make the most of their work and appreciate the center for creating work opportunities that are important while also being fun and energizing. Student Fellows arrive looking to add experience to their resumes and depart with connections that make their Fellowship more than just a job. It is an experience that stays with you long after you leave the office.