Alumni in 5

Ben McLoskey '13

Ben McLoskey '13

Employer
General Manager of The Rink at Rockefeller Center

LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-mcloskey/

1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
The year after graduation I juggled multiple jobs related to my degree. I enjoyed the different roles but had the urge to expand my professional scope and skillset. A combination of wanderlust and curiosity led me to work onboard cruise ships for the next four years as a Youth Activities Manager with Royal Caribbean. My time at sea allowed me to make friends from all over the world, see beautiful places, and improve my leadership skills in a dynamic environment. It was an incredibly fun and rewarding experience however, it’s difficult to build a life when you’re on a ship so while I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in this next chapter I knew I would figure it out in New York. I moved to the city in 2018 and quickly found my way back to my rink-rat-roots by joining the world of ice rink operations. In 2019, I was tasked to run the first rooftop ice rink in NY and the following year I joined the team at Rockefeller Center to launch The Rink as a new operating business under the property owner, Tishman Speyer. We continue to improve the venue and overall guest experience for both summer and winter activations. I take pride in being the primary caretaker of this landmark attraction and applying all the knowledge I gained from my time at GVSU.

2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
Mid-winter, my sophomore year, the concrete slab on Pierce Street that is typically flooded froze over. My friends and I organized a pond hockey game and played all day. In retrospect, it’s easy to see the clear correlation/foreshadowing to my current career path. (Shoutout to JV who wore a banana costume on the ice the entire day)

3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Follow your curiosity and effort. I feel that ‘follow your passion’ lacks actionable insight and can lead toward a pursuit that turns your passion into a chore. If you follow your effort, your curiosity, and what you’re truly good at it, you will develop a growth mindset and an intrinsic reward system that allows you to embrace new challenges and regularly reinvent yourself throughout your life.

4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand Valley experience.
Formative, Stimulating, and CopperBeech

5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
To create community and connection in as many ways possible with as many people as possible.

August 2023

Interest Area(s)
Exercise Science

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Page last modified August 28, 2023