From classroom to career: MSU alumna Lindsey Hyams builds her path in beauty and influencer marketing

For Michigan State University alumna Lindsey Hyams, every day in her career looks a little different and that’s exactly what she loves about it.

As the community and influencer marketing manager for Wellbel, a wellness brand backed by science and formulated by Dr. Dan that offers hair, skin and nail supplements for women and men, Hyams oversees influencer campaigns, curates PR packages, develops brand strategies and manages community partnerships.

“My current role in influencer and community marketing truly varies day to day, which is very common in this industry,” Hyams said.

A journalism and public relations major, Hyams credits the College of Communication Arts and Sciences with helping her build the skills and professional confidence needed to thrive in her field.

“From Robert Kolt’s Intro to PR class my freshman year to his PR 425 class my senior year, those experiences helped me think more strategically in my day-to-day work,” she said. “Dave Regan’s ADV 486 capstone course was also monumental — it taught me how to build a full brand campaign from start to finish.”

Those classroom experiences, combined with mentorship from faculty and advisors, played a pivotal role in Hyams’ career journey. It’s a clear example of ComArtSci’s career outcomes, which connect classroom learning with real-world professional success.

Hyams said she’s always known she wanted to work in the beauty industry. With guidance from her academic adviser, she pursued a public relations minor and co-founded PRFashionNet, a student-led community network that hosted live podcast conversations with public relations and marketing professionals.

“I always knew in high school that I wanted to work in the beauty industry — I just needed a little guidance on where I’d find my footing,” she said. “My adviser at ComArtSci helped me identify that public relations was the right space for me.”

That insight inspired Hyams to start networking early. Through informational interviews and LinkedIn connections, she landed her first PR internship, which eventually led to an opportunity with Bubble Skincare. While still a student, she managed brand ambassador programs and helped launch the company’s “Bubble On Campus” initiative — experiences that culminated in a full-time job offer before graduation.

“It was so rewarding to see my hard work pay off,” she said.

Today, Hyams continues to apply the skills and experiences she developed at MSU — while also mentoring the next generation of students hoping to enter the influencer and social media marketing industry.

“The most rewarding part of my work is being able to apply my knowledge and experience to help brands grow and then watching that growth come to life,” she said. “I also love being that ‘big sister’ figure who can share what it’s really like working post-grad.”

When it comes to advice for current Spartans, Hyams emphasizes the importance of initiative and authenticity.

“Network and find your footing,” she said. “Someone will take a chance on you, but you have to create that opportunity for yourself. Put yourself out there, stay curious and don’t be intimidated. Hard work and genuine passion will always shine through.”

This story originally appeared on the College of Communication Arts and Sciences website.