LiveWorkDetroit! is a state-wide program that aims to put Detroit on the map as a job destination for college students and graduates. The organization has chapters at many of the universities in Michigan, such as Central Michigan University and University of Michigan. The Michigan State chapter won the most prestigious chapter award in 2012, Hooper said.

Once a month, LiveWorkDetroit! busses students from MSU to Detroit and takes the students on a tour across the city. Students have the opportunity to network with employers and visit shops and living complexes, with the next trip being this Friday.

During the trip, which still is open for registration, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Pitch Competition to win $10,000 toward starting a business.

“Our sole purpose is to destigmatize Detroit from all the negative things that are in the media about it, and show students that it is really a good choice of a place to live and work after graduation instead of having to go out of state to Chicago or New York,” said Hooper, who is vice president of the MSU chapter.

Hooper grew up in Pinconning, Mich. Alhough she had never set foot in Detroit prior to joining the group, she sees a lot of potential in the rebuilding city.

“I don’t know if there’s a lot of hustle and bustle in the streets, but there’s a lot of people and everyone I meet is really excited about where Detroit’s going right now,” she said. “Even just the few months I’ve been vice president here, everything is so exciting about what’s going on there and I think the city is getting itself together.”

The chapter’s secretary and social relations and policy junior Joel Arnold said people generally join the group out of curiosity, and eventually warm up to the idea of working in Detroit after graduation.

“Detroit is big enough to matter in the world, but small enough that you can matter in it,” he said.

John Worth, the chapter’s president and political theory and constitutional democracy junior, said that once people visit Detroit, the misconceptions of the city typically diminish.

“That’s the main idea of what we’re trying to do here at MSU, getting people interested in moving down to Detroit,” he said.

Hooper said although she’s only served as vice president for a few months, she’s seen rapid recovery in Detroit.

“People right now are flocking to the city and want to experience it, which is the best thing that can happen for Detroit,” he said.