Current position: Event Manager, Oracle Arena and Oakland Alameda County Coliseum (O.Co)– Home of the Golden State Warriors, Oakland Raiders and Oakland A’s

Past leadership positions: General Manager, Student Commission on Programming Entertainment (SCOPE) Productions

Class: Henry B. Tippie College of Business (B.B.A. Management)

"There are so many aspects from my time at Iowa that I have adapted to my current job. I'm doing many of the same functions, but on a larger scale," said Ryan Snider, University of Iowa and Division of Student Life alumnus. The Management major served as the General Manager for SCOPE productions. SCOPE provided real life, real world, on-the-job training, preparing Snider to be an Event Manager for the Oracle Arena in California.

"The greatest lesson given to me from my leadership position was how to successfully run a for-profit business." Snider continues, "SCOPE gave me the opportunity to have hands-on experience in dealing with employees, schedules, and budgets." Now, during a concert at the Oracle Arena or O.Co Coliseum, Snider deals with both external (tours, promoters, etc.) and internal (ushers and security) personnel. "Working at SCOPE taught me the delicate balance of managing money, time and relationships while remaining professional.”

Because of this real world exposure, Snider already had two to three years of experience in event planning upon graduation. Snider notes, "In this industry, you can't learn the terminology, practices, and standards from a text book. Having the hands-on leadership experience from SCOPE of buying, marketing, and producing major concerts is absolutely what got me and many others to the career positions we enjoy today."

Snider advises current UI leaders to take advantage of leadership opportunities and learn everything about your organization, club, group, or house. For as the leader, you have the unique position of having to understand all facets of the group to do an effective job.