UD Horn Entrepreneurship Adjunct Professor Nat Measley is the founder of YourCultureDesign.com and the former CEO and managing partner of The Fun Dept. The UD alumnus offers words of wisdom for students who want to pursue their own professional path.

What advice do you have for students looking to enter your field?

For any students looking to start a career in workplace culture, training or consulting, I would say to get involved. Say yes to any unique opportunities you can early on. Constantly explore the deeper intricacies of these experiences too. If you volunteer to help produce a conference or workshop, understand all of the key partners involved, what roles they play, their strategies and their missions. Research the industry deeply.

How do you think students can stand out when contacting working professionals like yourself?

Leverage your quilt. A quilt is a term we use in studying entrepreneurship, meaning your network. If you have a connection who is connected to someone you want to meet, ask for that connection. Also, as a college student, utilize that fact. Tell someone, “I am a college student, studying your story or industry. Can you help me? I’m hoping to interview you.” Then, if that connection does respond to you and allows you to interview them, send them a thank you!

How did you come across your job working at The Fun Department?

I was working for Ripken Baseball outside of Baltimore, Maryland. It was my summer gig between junior and senior year at UD. Through that work, I was introduced to a small team whom were all connections of a good friend of mine. This group was starting a company called The Fun Dept. They offered me a part-time job producing their events. During my last two years at UD, while earning my master’s degree, I worked part-time with The Fun Dept. and upon graduation became their first full-time employee. I became a partner in the business in 2010, and was named the CEO and managing partner in 2012 for a five-year term. Then, at the end of 2017, I sold my interest in the company back to the original partners so I could come back to consulting and teaching at UD.

Are you willing to offer yourself as a point of contact for students looking to expand their professional network?

Yes, of course. Anyone can connect with me on LinkedIn.

This blog post is written by our Division of Student Life student intern Olivia Schnefke.