FAQs
Q: What is the Spartan Experience Record?
A: The Spartan Experience Record (SER) is the MSU-verified document a student receives listing all their co-curricular experiences. These are requested through the Registrar’s Office. The SER is also MSU’s co-curricular platform that showcases student learning beyond coursework through experiences, including the collection of all experiences that have been added to the Record.
Q: How do I get started with the Spartan Experience Record?
A: A great place to start is by exploring our website. Login to the Spartan Experience Record platform and take a look around. Check out the Opportunities Catalog tab to find experiences at MSU that may be of interest to you. Under the “Spartan Experience Record” tab, you may see experiences you have participated in that are either pending verification or are verified. If you are currently participating in an experience that you believe is a fit to be included on your SER and don’t see displayed in this section, the next step would be to suggest it to be added. Additionally, follow us on social media (@spartanexperiencerecord) to stay up to date on programs, news, and resources.
Q: I am involved in an experience that I would like to have on my Spartan Experience Record. How do I add it?
A: If you’re involved in an experience, but it’s not showing on your SER yet, it could be because the experience hasn’t concluded yet and/or validation hasn’t been completed yet. We recommend that you first check the Opportunities Catalog for the experience. If your experience is in the Opportunities catalog, it may be awaiting validation. Whether or not the experience is listed, you can reach out to the SER team at mystory@msu.edu to understand next steps.
If the experience is not yet in the Opportunities Catalog, it may need added to the SER. The SER team can walk you through the process to add a new experience. To begin, students can make a copy of the submission worksheet. Learn more about this process here.
Q: What is the difference between an experience and a role?
A: The experience is the program, RSO, or team that you are a part of. The role is the title or position you play within the experience. It is important to know that experience and role interrelate to each other—both are important information in the Spartan Experience Record. An example would be as follows: Zeke Fan Club (experience), President (role),
Q: What does “validated” mean?
A: “Validated” means that you 1) successfully participated in a co-curricular experience and 2) achieved the learning outcomes established for your experience. An experience MUST be verified by an MSU faculty/staff member for it to display on your Spartan Experience Record. In place of “validated” you may also see the term “verified” used – these words mean the same thing, in context of the SER. For more information on our terms and definitions, please visit the Spartan Experience Record Glossary section.
Q: What would I use the Spartan Experience Record for?
A: Many students use their Spartan Experience Record to:
Keep track of all the things they’re doing beyond the classroom.
Reflect on transferrable skill development, which is helpful when developing resumes or preparing for interviews.
Share their experiences with faculty/staff when requesting a letter of recommendation.
Showcase valuable experiences when applying to graduate schools or employment opportunities.
Q: How do I request my Spartan Experience Record?
A: Your Spartan Experience Record can be requested alongside your transcript through the Registrar’s Office. To place a request, please visit the MSU RO website. To review step-by-step instructions, please visit our Student Resources page.
Q: Do I have access to the Spartan Experience Record after graduation?
A: Absolutely. You have direct access to the Spartan Experience Record platform 6 months after graduation, and you can request your Spartan Experience Record (SER) alongside your transcript indefinitely. Please review the Student Resources section to learn how to request your SER.
Q: How is the Spartan Experience Record different from a resume?
A: The Spartan Experience Record is a whole picture of you and your engagement beyond the classroom at MSU. Your resume is something you customize or shorten for certain employers or internships.
The Spartan Experience Record is meant to enhance a resume, or to be used to help you evaluate your experiences in order to build a stronger resume by highlighting the value in these experiences.
Q: Who might want this information?
A: The first audience for this information is you. Learn from it, notice patterns about your engagement. Tell your story.
Other interested parties will be employers and graduate schools, especially as you develop specialized skills and training, you can show your official Spartan Experience Record to support your stories. Faculty/Staff/Supervisors can use it to write stronger letters of recommendation on your behalf. Scholarship committees can view it to see how involved you’ve been outside of the classroom and how you are growing as a holistic person.
Q: How do I discuss the experiences I have on the Spartan Experience Record?
A: Learning to tell your stories is one of the most important parts of your learning journey at MSU. Practicing how you talk about your experiences helps you articulate your growth when it matters most, like in an interview or at a critical pitch moment.
Reflecting on the experiences listed on your SER will help you convey your story. When looking at your SER, the position description section can remind you of some of the key components of your role. The section labeled “As a result, I learned to…” highlights some of the key transferrable skills you developed through your experience(s).
How do I get added to the Spartan Experience Record newsletter mailing list?
The Spartan Experience Record Newsletter, the Out-of-Class Chronicle, is a great way to stay informed about co-curricular experiences at MSU and receive guidance on how to use your SER to help you reach your professional and personal goals. You can sign up to be added to the mailing list here.
How can I get featured on Spartan Experience Record’s social media channels?
The SER team values showcasing student out-of-class experiences and how these activities have positively influenced your time at MSU. Fill out the student feature form in entirety, which takes about 5-15 minutes, for a chance to be featured.