Meet: Ryan Schmudlach, ’08
The ECDO profiles alumni to give students an idea of career options with an economics major and provide more information on our alumni. Click here for all alumni profiles.
UW Degree and Year: B.S. Economics, 2008
Current Position: Owner
Company: Wisconsin Canoe Company
City, State: Spring Green, WI
Can you please give us a short description of what you do?
I run a company that provides kayak and canoe rental outfitting and shuttle services on the Lower Wisconsin River just west of Madison.
Why did you pursue this career?
My life revolves around being able to get outside and go backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, etc so I’ve always wanted to end up combining my degree in economics with the outdoor recreation industry, but I just didn’t know how to do it. I actually fell into this career almost by accident; it started when I led canoe trips with the UW Basecamp program, came back the next summer to work with the outfitter we had used, and then broke off the next year to start my own operation.
What is your favorite part of your job? Least favorite?
Favorite part? The people. Least favorite? The people. I get the opportunity to meet a lot of different people from all over the midwest that do a lot of different things (I once put an astronaut on the river), however, there’s always a number of people you run into that make you wonder how they function in society. Regardless, the fact that I get to have 15-30 minute conversations with thousands of people all summer, and the other 7 months of the year to recover, is hard to beat.
How are you using your economics major in your current position?
It comes in to play everyday, from understanding your customers and how they make their buying decisions to finding that perfect equilibrium between supply and demand. Economics has so profoundly reshaped my understanding of the world and how I operate in it that I couldn’t begin to tell you how useful it’s been in creating and managing a company. There was always kind of a joke that just having an undergrad degree in economics made you a jack of all trades, master of none, but it turns out that that’s exactly what I needed.
Did you have any internships/relevant work experience while in college?
My internships came in the form of starting a few small businesses. At one point I was an owner of a Liberty Tax Franchise, and I still run a property management firm.
Where have you worked previously? And in what positions?
I’ve previously worked for Google as a Small Business Specialist and in my off seasons, I occasionally work for Fed Ex as a seasonal delivery driver (laugh if you want, but driving around the countryside delivering Christmas presents is surprisingly entertaining).
What do you miss most about UW?
I miss the sheer number of people that shared similar interests and had similar schedules to my own. This made it easy to pack up and explore hidden pieces of the world with friends. A big shout out goes to the UW Hoofers for that one.
Do you have any advice for current students?
If I’ve learned anything, it’s follow your passion, not the money. As soon as you realize your heart isn’t in it, cross that option off your list – your mental health will thank you for it, plus it’ll leave the door open to different opportunities you may otherwise overlook.
