Student Success Story: Ryan Moede

Ryan Moede, 2nd from right, speaks with SFMC students.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduate Ryan Moede admits that even after a difficult day on the job, "going to work at a ballpark every day is still pretty cool." Moede has been experiencing that adrenaline rush, first with baseball's minor league Sacramento River Cats, and now with the Midwest League champion Wisconsin Timber Ratttlers in Appleton, since he received his UW-Parkside degree in Sport Management.

Moede returned to campus recently to speak with members of the Sport and Fitness Management Club at the SAC. He serves as the team's Box Office Manager and he told current students he likes the fact what he does every day has a direct impact on the team's daily operations.

"I get to wear so many hats in my job and I really like that," Moede said, noting the Timber Rattlers have only 20 full time employees compared to the hundreds who  work for the Milwaukee Brewers. "I probably get to do what six people would do for a major league team."

Internships, Networking "So key"

Moede started his career as a ticket sales rep for Sacramento, the Triple AAA affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland A's. His internship in the Brewers' Corporate Marketing Department helped smooth the transition from student and graduate to sports professional.

"Internships are so key," Moede emphasized. "Get started on your internships as soon as you can."

He advised students to be the hardest working intern, to make themselves someone whom people already working in sports would recommend to other people in sports who have jobs to offer. In addition to building a resume, being noticed and getting recommended is also the first step in networking.

Moede said by networking, by contacting?and staying in contact?with friends and colleagues opportunities can happen. An email from Moede to Timber Rattlers' President Rob Zerjav eventually brought Moede back to Wisconsin and his current position with the Appleton nine.

"Gave me the tools to succeed"

Moede was careful about selecting the university to help him build his career. He examined four campuses with sports management programs and visited each before choosing UW-Parkside. He is happy with his choice and the outcome thus far.

"The professors that I dealt with definitely put me in the right direction; gave me the tools to succeed," Moede said. "There were some things I had to learn along the way which is just natural. But what Parkside did, the classes and the help I got from people here on the staff was invaluable and I still use some of those resources to this day."

The Algoma native faces new challenges in the coming year. The Timber Rattlers are adding a second level of seating behind home plate, six suites, club level seating and a host of amenities to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. That will add complexity to Moede's job and likely add hours to an already long summer workday.

But this was what he prepared for as a student at UW-Parkside and he's confident he can meet this challenge. And, of course, while it could be hard work, Moede can always take comfort in knowing he's going to work at a ballpark every day.

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 11/14/2012

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