Bryce Friederich

"Being able to talk to new people, network, and make relationships with customers gets me excited."

-Bryce Friederich

Bryce Friederich aspires to work as a general manager for a resort or hotel and eventually take on a regional or district management role. When he isn’t busy studying, Bryce enjoys visiting new restaurants and local coffee shops, and visiting with friends and family.

Get to know Bryce

• Major/minor: Hospitality management
• Class: Senior
• Hometown: Mascoutah, Illinois
• Career goal: General manager of hotel or resort, eventually take on a regional or district management role
• Clubs/activities: Professional Convention Management Association Student Chapter (PCMA)
• Awards/honors/scholarships: Foundation Scholars Program Scholarship (PCMA), Sparks Medal Recipient (Chi Phi Fraternity)
• Favorite place on campus: Lagomarcino courtyard during the spring
• Most influential ISU mentors: Carolyn Elbert
• Favorite class: HSP M 280, Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Café Operation
• Why Iowa State: Fell in love with the campus

Bryce Friederich strives to deliver stellar customer service within hospitality management industry

Bryce Friederich has a passion for hospitality management and customer service that stems from his experience as a conference manager for Conference Services at Iowa State University. After he graduates, he aspires to convert this passion into his career as a general manager of a resort or hotel. Eventually, he wants to escalate to the role of regional or district manager, allowing him to travel more often.

“I applied to be a summer conference staff member my freshman year. From that position I was led into my major,” he said. “It sparked my passion for customer service and management, and has truly helped shape me into the person I am today.”

As a conference manager for the university, Bryce facilitated housing and dining for conferences that came to campus. The process resembles a hotel-like operation, which Bryce found out he enjoys immensely. He particularly enjoys the food and beverage events within the hospitality management industry, but what he loves most about his career path is providing customer service.

“I would consider myself a people person. Being able to talk to new people, network, and make relationships with customers gets me excited,” Bryce said. “I really love our industry because of the people.”

As a senior this year, he is staying optimistic despite our unprecedented circumstances, hoping to obtain leadership roles on campus within his fraternity’s community.

When it comes to advice that Bryce would give to new and prospective students he had to share a piece of advice that he was given upon his own first year at Iowa State.

“Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Put yourself out there and do things that you wouldn’t normally be comfortable with. Go to events. Sit with someone different in class. Those things can make your life better,” he said.

Planning to carry this advice with him as he progresses into his professional career, Bryce believes it will only enhance his life.

“In our industry, it is important to put yourself out there and try new things. It is not always the easiest thing, but it will yield the best results,” he said.