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In working for the Milwaukee Brewers during their most historic season since 1982, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh student Mike Wesenberg has learned a valuable lesson about his career choice.

Working as an intern at Miller Park on promotions and other marking projects, Wesenberg, a senior marketing student, has learned that he definitely wants to spend his life working in sports marketing. Through the intensive season, one demanding long hours and featuring a deep run into the Major League Baseball playoffs, he has also learned he’s capable.

“I know what it takes and the amount of time and effort needed each and every day to work for a professional sports team,” Wesenberg said. “The Milwaukee Brewers run more promotions than almost any other team in Major League Baseball, which is a huge accomplishment for a small market team and really shows the amount of work put in by the marketing department.”

During the regular season, Wesenberg was in charge of implementing pre- and in-game programs and sponsorships for the Brewers, he said. He’d often show up a few hours before each game to set up everything from autograph sessions to meet-and-greets and giveaways. In the post-season, his job has been more personal. He’s been assisting team ownership, in particular, working with Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and his family.

“This experience has been something I could have never imagined,” Wesenberg said. “Not only have I been able to experience games during the regular season, but now I’m experiencing the playoff atmosphere and what goes on behind the scenes of a professional sports team. There is so much that goes into organizing, planning and executing marketing plans for the Brewers.”

Wesenberg said it has been interesting to watch the Milwaukee Brewers fan base change as they headed toward the playoffs.

“The dynamic of marketing has changed greatly because of the fan base. With more fans coming to games it has required the department to prepare much longer promotions and add many events to games that would otherwise not be needed,” he said. “There is a certain type of effort you need to make sure you put forward because you are representing a winning team and there are more than 40,000 fans watching you at each game.”

As for life after the playoffs, Wesenberg, who didn’t always call the Brewers his favorite team, hopes to someday become a head marketer for a professional sports team.

“Working for the Brewers, I will say that they are becoming my favorite team. Working for them means so much to me,” Wesenberg said.

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