Get to Know: Ryan Retzlaff

Congratulations to this week’s Daniels Student Spotlight, Ryan Retzlaff! Ryan has developed into an incredible MOS Sr. TA. When Ryan is teaching, his enthusiasm and love for all things Microsoft are easy to recognize. He has recently become a mentor for the program and is committed to supporting his fellow TAs in big and small ways. Ryan’s positive attitude impacts everyone around him!

Major

Finance and International Business

Year in school

Senior

Hometown

Freedom, Wisconsin

What has been your favorite DU moment?

Every moment that I am teaching for the Microsoft Office Specialist program is my favorite DU moment. I am extremely thankful to be part of an amazing group of TAs and to be able to interact with every student that enters Daniels. As a teaching assistant I’m able to show students the importance of Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Truly, without this experience, I would not be who I am today.

Of all the classes that I’ve taken at Daniels, Financial Modeling with Professor Shahram Amini was undoubtably my favorite. It was an incredibly valuable, technical class that furthered my love for data analytics and inspired me to pursue a BIA masters in the future.

Last spring, I also participated in the 24 Hour Undergraduate Case Competition which was a fantastic experience. Working with my team, we stayed up all night coming up with creative solutions—it’s a great experience for every business student.

What is a piece of media you’d recommend to other students?

Recently, my go-to show has been Modern Family. I love the series for its positive message every episode, making it a fun, casual watch. Every week, I listen to the WVFRM Podcast to nerd-out about recent tech news.

This summer, I read Atomic Habits while interning at Fidelity Investments. This book helped me re-evaluate my daily habits and demonstrated how to define and accomplish new goals. It is a fantastic book that I recommend everyone read.

What is your favorite way to get involved on campus?

The best way to get involved on campus is to join a group that aligns with your values and goals. For me, that was joining Delta Sigma Pi—DU’s professional business fraternity. Being part of this group has enabled me to connect with like-minded, ambitious individuals and grow my network.

What is your favorite place to relax?

When not in school or working, my favorite way to relax is to spend time with my girlfriend and her new puppy. Together, we love to take the dog for walks, go hiking, try new restaurants and catch up on our favorite shows.

What is your favorite campus event to attend?

One of my most rewarding experiences at Daniels was attending the Colorado Business School Career Fair last fall. This event pushed me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to network with countless employers. Ultimately, it played a crucial role in securing my internship at Fidelity Investments.

What is one piece of advice that you would tell your first-year self?

If I were talking to my shy first-year self, I would challenge myself to get involved more on campus. Freshman year is a great time to join clubs, experience different organizations and participate in DU events; allowing yourself to gain experience and meet new people.

What helped me the most was finding a job that I was passionate about. Throughout my time at DU, I’ve held two different University jobs. The first granted me experience; but, joining MOS was the best decision I’ve ever made. As a TA, I found my passion, made my best friends, and enhanced my Microsoft skills—something that every employer is looking for.

Lastly, take advantage of all of the student resources that are provided: especially, speaking with advisors. Everyone is here to help you succeed.