When Matt Garrick arrived this fall at the Close-Hipp Building, home of the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management building, it was a sort of homecoming, but also a new experience.

“The last time I was here, classes were still in the Coliseum,” he laughed. “This new space is a game changer — not only for students, but for the connections and opportunities it can provide.”

For Garrick, now based in Singapore as vice president of Asia Pacific with Feld Entertainment, his career has carried him around the world. But no matter how far he’s traveled, his foundation in HRSM — and the network it fostered — has remained.

After graduating from HRSM’s Nicole and David Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, Garrick earned his MBA at the University of Nebraska. He then joined Feld, one of the world’s top live entertainment companies. Feld built its reputation producing the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus before expanding to other events including Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. His first roles immersed him in the day-to-day pace of event marketing and operations.

“It was a great opportunity, especially those first few years,” he said. “You’re working on every piece of the campaign — it’s hands-on from day one.”

That early exposure set the tone for a career defined by adaptability and growth. Today, Garrick oversees Feld’s Asia-Pacific operations from Singapore — a strategic hub he calls “the easiest travel spot to hit everywhere.” Along with his wife and two young sons, he’s embraced life abroad while leading teams across diverse cultures and markets.

When you’re starting out, don’t get caught up in finding the perfect role right away. Take the opportunity in front of you and make the most of it. Say yes to as much as you can in those first few years — be flexible, get experience, learn by doing.

Working internationally offers a mix of challenges and common ground. “There are definitely differences — regulation, transportation, culture — but you also realize how similar a lot of it is,” he says. “Outside of China, everyone’s using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google. It’s the same ecosystem in many ways.”

Returning to Columbia reminded Garrick how much his alma mater has evolved, and how much of its spirit remains the same. “The internship and practicum programs are still such a strength,” he said. “That was key when I was a student 20 years ago, and it’s great to see that consistency.”

He credits HRSM not just for teaching professional skills, but for instilling the importance of making and maintaining connections. 
“You get what you put into it,” he said. “Reach out to alumni, talk to your professors, get in the habit of building relationships. That habit carries with you — at work, outside of work, and when you come back to visit.”

For students stepping into their first jobs, Garrick’s advice is simple: say yes.

“When you’re starting out, don’t get caught up in finding the perfect role right away,” he said. “Take the opportunity in front of you and make the most of it. Say yes to as much as you can in those first few years — be flexible, get experience, learn by doing.”

He also encourages young professionals to balance exploration with focus.

“We have access to so much information now that there’s pressure to be good at everything,” he explained. “But don’t be afraid to narrow in on something you’re passionate about — really lean into that and become an expert.”

Garrick’s own journey is proof that mixing openness to opportunity with commitment and curiosity can take you far.

Even with a career spanning the globe, Garrick remains proud of where it all began. “Happy 25th anniversary to HRSM,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part of it — and I can’t wait to see what the next 25 years bring.”