Alumni Spotlight—Megan Gaseor
Alumni of the College of Applied Health Sciences have myriad career options thanks to the tremendous diversity of programs. We periodically will put the spotlight on an alum to find out what they're doing now, what experiences they had and what AHS means to them. This week, we talk to Megan Gaseor, an RST alum who is now Assistant Director, Special Events for the Chicago Cubs.
Q: Why did you pick AHS?
A: Applied Health Sciences, and specifically Recreation, Sport and Tourism, has talented professors, an industry-focused curriculum, and allowed for hands-on experiences outside of the classroom which ultimately provided a unique opportunity to best position me for a career in sports.
Q: Which professors had the most impact on you?
A: Dr. (Ryan) Gower’s passion for this industry was evident in some of my first RST classes, and made me want to find a career where I felt that same passion. Dr. (Michael) Raycraft was and continues to be an advocate for all of his students, especially to ensure their success within in the sports industry. My goal is to bring a piece of that to those I manage.
Q: What course did you most enjoy?
A: RST 410: Strategic Thinking in Recreation, Sport and Tourism.
Q: Did you enter AHS knowing your career path, or did AHS help you decide?
A: I was interested in a career within sports-related business operations, but I didn’t have a definitive focus in mind. The classes and opportunities within RST allowed for me to explore a handful of different avenues, ultimately leading to events and operations.
Q: Did your AHS experience lead to your current job?
A: Definitely. My RST 485 internship at a large scale event production company turned into a full-time position after graduation. After four years at that role, the opportunity presented itself at the Chicago Cubs, and I made the transition over professional sports (while still focusing on events). AHS provided me with the foundation to obtain that initial internship, and continue to grow in my career.
Q: What is your current job?
A: I am the Assistant Director of Special Events at the Chicago Cubs. I focus on the strategy, development and operations of the Cubs’ Special Event business including Wrigley Field concerts, non-baseball sports, and other large scale events.
Q: What was your favorite on-campus experience?
A: I truly appreciated my time within my sorority and value the friendships I gained there (many of whom are AHS Alumni). Then again, you can’t beat an Illinois football night game or Illinois basketball beating No. 1 Indiana at Assembly Hall in 2013.
Q: What would you say to recommend AHS to a prospective student?
A: AHS provides the opportunity to take learning outside of the classroom, with classes and opportunities that lend themselves to what you’ll experience after graduation. In addition, the network and relationships that you build within the AHS community will stay with you well beyond your years at Illinois. I could not have asked for a better experience.