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College of Applied Health Sciences

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Amy Kress

Amy Kress

Q&A

Q. Where are you employed? What is your Title?

Graduated from Illinois 1990 - 1997 - Houston Astros Baseball Club (various positions in Marketing Department)
1997 - 2007 - Chicago White Sox Baseball Club (Director of Mass Communications)
2008 - Two By Four Ad Agency (Account Supervisor, Chicago Bears Account)
2006 - present - Terra Garden Design (Owner)

Q. What is your favorite part of your job?

I worked in baseball for nearly 20 years and I loved the excitement of game day, and the variety of bizarre responsibilities that went with it. One day I directed the pregame ceremony that included presenting a live calf (on-field) to Nolan Ryan!

Q. What do you consider to be your most valuable contribution to your organization for which you work?

I've 'retired' from baseball and now run my own landscape design company.

Q. Given your career path, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

n/a

Q. Do you have any words of advice/recommendations? a. for undergrads still searching for a major-would you recommend RST and why?, b. for the undergrads currently in the program c. for the senior currently looking for his/her first position.

a. It's the 'fun' major...don't go this route if you want to work in a corporate environment, climb the ladder and make a lot of money. But, get into it if you want to have a job that is fun...that your friends will be jealous of!
b. Keep going and find a job you can really enjoy...you will probably start out having to work some long hours, so it is best to find a field you really love.

Q. Please add anything else that might be helpful.

If you want to get into professional sports marketing, so many more people are looking to get into this field, it is much harder to break into than when I got started. Most entry level jobs are in ticket sales, which is a great place to start, but a tough area to move out of. Take some classes, or get a minor, in another area that could help you move up in the organization...marketing, legal, finance, etc. Good Luck!

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