#PittsburghMe: Meet Ryan Bitzer, Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management Major Monday, December 14, 2015

What makes going to Point Park for your major different from any other college?  

The faculty in my major prove time and time again that they care about my success, my education and myself. As the years here passed, the faculty have been there every step of the way ensuring that my academic path was secure.

How has attending Point Park prepared you for your future career?  

Being a student at this University has given me so many opportunities to research and understand my major. The teachers who have educated me during my time here are some of the brightest minds I know and they go out of their way to spark a passion in the major for us. 

By creating that drive and passion, I have been able to go above and beyond my goals while enrolled here, which I didn’t think was possible. I will be entering the workforce with a strong understand of my industry and have already made some amazing real-world connections. 

What activities are you involved in (both on campus and off)?  

I stop in to the Table Top Tirade group every once in a while to talk about the nerdy things in life while playing a board game. Clue is my favorite.

Have you had any internships? What were your responsibilities?   

I have had two internships during my time here. My first internship was with Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium with their food service and management team. I learned all that there is to know when it comes to running a food and merchandise business in a zoo. I supervised food stands, trained employees and worked high-profile events where I made incredible connections. I got this internship through a job fair on campus.

My second internship was with Sarah Heinz House. I was the food service manager and provided meals and guidance to the local children. I got my Food Service Certification in order to better understand sanitation and hygiene. On average, I would work with up to 80 children each day. I taught them proper food care and give them recipes to bring home to their parents. Making a positive impact on local Pittsburgh youth is such an amazing feeling. As manager, I oversaw food service, upkeep and finances, and managed volunteers. I landed this internship through another previous job I had. This is a prime example of how networking can benefit your career.

What advice would you give to an incoming student?

Do not stay in your dorm room every night! Take advantage of all that Pittsburgh has to offer with a group of friends or even by yourself. Go out to a sports game, a new restaurant, small shop or art gallery. Students will be shocked to see just how cheap it is to do things around the city. Go to the theater, take a historical tour or my personal favorite thing to do: explore this beautiful city.

Read more #PittsburghMe profiles

Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, junior mass communication major
Text by Jakob Como, senior multimedia major