Finding career success after a change in direction

For most of her life, Macie Hanson’s identity was shaped by music. But when it came time to decide her career path, her interests and opportunities led her in a different direction with communications.

Hanson, from Wauconda, chose College of Lake County (CLC) for financial reasons. Through the Scholars Program, she received a full tuition scholarship. Going to community college also gave her space to discover her path.

“CLC gave me the ability to pay for college on my own,” Hanson said. “It made the most sense to stay at home while figuring out what I wanted to do.”

Hanson shifted her focus to communications just before starting her first semester because she had always enjoyed public speaking and writing. As she explored communications, she began to see how that field could open doors in the world of sports media and public relations.

The close-knit learning and community environment at CLC helped her build relationships, making it easier to collaborate, grow and find her voice.

"At first, I was jealous of friends who got to go away for college, but once I became more integrated into the campus community, I really started to enjoy it,” Hanson said. “The Scholars Program helped me make friends, and I also joined Phi Theta Kappa honor society, where I served as vice president of public relations. It turned out to be a great environment for me."

Hanson transferred after completing her associate degree. Thanks to CLC’s Guaranteed Transfer Admission (GTA) agreement, she seamlessly transferred her credits to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), where she continued majoring in communications with a concentration in public relations.

"When I first met Macie as part of the CLC Scholars, I knew she would be successful,” said Scholars Program Coordinator Dr. Nicholas Schevera. “As a freshman, she flourished into an important contributor to the CLC community and has notably blossomed with her career since transferring to UWM.”

At UWM, she landed internships with UWM Recreation and the athletic department, gaining real-world experience in her field. Most notably, she landed an internship as a communications assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks professional basketball team.

While working with the Bucks, she compiled statistics and media clips to distribute across the organization. She also wrote press releases for several themed nights. On game days, she managed local and national media credentials to support relationship-building and ensure smooth operations. Additionally, she assisted with pre-game and post-game press conferences featuring the coach and key players.

Balancing full-time coursework with the demands of a professional sports internship taught her how fast-paced and rewarding a career in sports communication could be. Hanson joined the team a month before the season began, working into the following offseason. She gained valuable skills in social media management, public relations and navigating the world of professional sports.

“Working for the team was exciting,” Hanson said. “I still haven't processed that I worked that season.”

From a student unsure of her path to a college graduate with multiple internships of experience, Hanson credits CLC with giving her the foundation she needed. She especially recommends it to students who are still exploring their options.

“I recommend CLC to everyone,” Hanson said. “I was able to figure out what I wanted to do and gain confidence while saving money. I graduated with no debt because of CLC.”

Hanson works as the social media content coordinator for Midtown Athletic Clubs in Chicago. There, she plans and manages a content calendar, films content on-site and analyzes metrics to improve performance.