Ryan Schroer is a two-time alumnus of Purdue Animal Sciences who is currently working as a Regional and International Business Manager for Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, a division of Purina Animal Nutrition. He is also currently pursuing a doctoral degree in parasitology from the University of Arkansas.
In his current position, Schroer has many responsibilities.
“Within my daily roles, I interact with the dealers in my territory, the Purina representatives in my territory and then I also interact with zoos, aquariums and private animal owners. My main purpose is helping them formulate diets and understanding solutions that Mazuri can offer for their animal nutrition needs,” Schroer explained. “I get to work with a wide variety of animals and people across a large section of the United States. Another portion of my job is to manage all the accounts in Canada, so I get to travel internationally and help those zoos, aquariums, and business owners as well. Much of my job is understanding and advising on animals, but a large portion of my role is also understanding business and helping business owners serve their customers well.”
According to Schroer, he enjoys his work with Mazuri.
“I get the opportunity to work with individuals who are passionate about the animals we care for. We have to collaborate with all walks of life because there is no handbook for a giraffe or an elephant or a killer whale, yet we have to utilize our best knowledge to provide these animals with a balanced and healthy diet,” Schroer said. “Mazuri is one of the few companies in the world that gets that trust and privilege and that’s an amazing feeling when you care for such iconic animals. Our motto is we feed everything from earthworms to elephants, and we mean it!”
Schroer, a native of central Indiana, mentioned he initially wanted to be a veterinarian, but he found a better-suited career path for him. He received a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine and a minor in biology from Purdue. He also completed his master’s degree in animal sciences at Purdue. He studied ruminant nutrition in graduate school.
According to Schroer, he chose Purdue because he always wanted to attend the university. On the other hand, more thought was put into his choice of degree programs.
“Animal sciences was a great path for me because it allowed me to explore science in a more hands-on environment as opposed to things like a biology or chemistry major,” Schroer explained. “Getting to work with animals and understand science from a cellular to a whole animal perspective fit my learning style more than a solely benchtop program focusing on concepts I couldn’t apply to an animal I could interact with.”
According to Schroer, he never considered pursuing a master’s degree prior to speaking to his advisor on an industry trip.
“I encourage everyone who thinks that a deeper dive into science might be for them to connect with professors doing research at the school and get to know what options might be out there! Schroer said. “Voice your ideas and many professors are willing to connect you with the right people to coach you and make those ideas into a reality.”
During his time at Purdue, Schroer was involved in the Purdue Equestrian Team, Rodeo Club and a co-ed softball team led by Mark Diekman, PhD. He also worked at the USDA Livestock Behavioral Unit and at the dairy unit.
Schroer mentioned that being a teaching assistant was his greatest accomplishment during his time at Purdue.
“During my time, I was able to help Barry Delks with his careers class, and that taught me that mentoring students really fulfills me,” Schroer said. “To help students obtain jobs that they are excited about and launch their future has been a great accomplishment for me.”
Schroer explained that the department has several strengths.
“I love how Purdue Animal Sciences Department strives to connect students with industry partners and understand the future trends of animal sciences,” Schroer said. “I also believe it’s a key strength to offer students an opportunity to practice and hone their skills on a working farm that also conducts research. Take advantage of that farm experience and the ability to apply concepts in a safe and mentoring environment. Other schools do not have that resource.”
After receiving his master’s degree, Schroer worked in different roles at several places.
“I’ve worked for JBS in cattle procurement. I worked for a local feed cooperative in Ohio as a dairy nutritionist, and then I went to work in Animal Pharma and sold Equine and Cattle products for Merial and then Boehringer Ingelheim,” Schroer explained. “Finally, prior to my current role, I worked in the human pharma space in Pediatric and Adult Vaccines.”
Schroer mentioned that his studies in the Purdue Animal Sciences Department prepared him well for his position with Mazuri.
“There’s no handbook for many of these species, so it’s a lot of improvising and learning on the fly. Every day is like being a detective, you build your understanding from knowledge of the animal and comparing it to other animals with similar environments, adaptations and anatomy!” Schroer explained. “That said, going to Purdue is like building a house. To have a successful building, you need a solid foundation. The skills I learned at Purdue, critical thinking, basic nutrition, reproductive physiology and forage management combine to help me when I’m advising a customer or client. Learning how to be a learner is key.”
Schroer explained that the skills he acquired during his time at Purdue help contribute to his daily tasks as a Regional and International Business Manager.
“I learned how to find information and apply information, so when problems arise, I can come up with a solution. Also, I learned how to collaborate with industry partners and peers who have more experience than I do,” Schroer said. “This allows for a positive outcome for the animal without me having to know all the answers. Get to know your classmates! They will be your industry partners in the future and you may need to phone a friend in the future!”
Schroer shared advice for current students pursuing an animal sciences degree.
“Take the experience. Get outside of your comfort zone and meet people. Go to new places. Do new things and take the experience,” Schroer explained. “You can always go home when it’s done, but you may wake up one morning on the side of a mountain in Colorado and go, ‘I never knew I would love this as much as I do.’”
The Purdue Animal Sciences Department is celebrating 125 years! As a part of the celebration, Schroer was asked to upload a video congratulating the department.
