Ryan Chen

EDUCATION

University of Michigan, BSE Industrial and Operations Engineering, 2014
University of Michigan, BM Music Performance- Euphonium, 2014
Stanford University, MS Management Science & Engineering, 2017

CAREER SUMMARY

Career Summary

After I left Michigan, I began exploring sports analytics specifically through the Stanford Sports Analytics Club. As my involvement in projects with the club deepened, I gained the tools and experience that put me in a position to pursue jobs with sports teams, ultimately leading me to the position I currently hold with the Orlando Magic.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Choosing between careers in music and engineering was the toughest decision I had to make while at Michigan. Much of my decision to ultimately choose to go to graduate school in engineering was guided by my experiences as a research assistant for Profs. Amy Cohn and Mark Daskin in IOE and the Center for Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety, where I gained not only the tools to conduct research, but also a broader familiarity with the world of academia.

Favorite Student Orgs

I credit much of my growth while at Michigan to the student organizations. Tau Beta Pi is where I learned the most about leadership, managing large groups of people and organizational structures, and managing my own responsibilities/time within a complex network of coursework, research work, and personal/organizational responsibilities while managing a similar profile of commitments in music school.

Advice to Students

I think joining student organizations whose purposes are interesting/fulfilling to you is the best way to feel a sense of place and purpose within a university that can easily feel overwhelming. The friends you make can become both your support system and professional network, while the work of the organization itself can invigorate you for your studies and maybe even propel you into a field outside your studies. As I alluded to above, I think joining student organizations is a fantastic avenue to learn management and leadership skills that will stay with you forever. To top it all off, student organizations enrich the fabric of campus life – I think you’ll find your experience at Michigan will benefit greatly from getting involved around campus.