Tales from Titan Town: From banking dreams to downtown logistics, UWO alumna found an unexpected passion

Hilary Pattermann, a 2013 UW-Oshkosh finance graduate, serves as parking manager for Park Appleton, overseeing parking operations, customer service and infrastructure planning for the City of Appleton.

For most people, parking is something they barely think about-until there's nowhere to park.

For Hilary Pattermann, making those logistics work has become both a career and a passion.

As parking manager for Park Appleton, the City of Appleton's Parking Utility Division, the 2013 UW-Oshkosh finance graduate oversees three parking ramps, a surface lot, enforcement operations, permits, budgeting, maintenance coordination and customer service. During major events like Octoberfest, she and her team help manage parking logistics for crowds that can swell to more than 200,000 visitors downtown.

It is a career that blends logistics, leadership and public service, far different from the career Pattermann once imagined while growing up in Platteville.

Before arriving at UW-Oshkosh, Pattermann envisioned a future in banking and finance after participating in a youth apprenticeship program at a local bank during high school. But over the years, her career gradually evolved from banking into county and city leadership roles that required communication, operations management, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.

Today, she sees clear connections between her UW-Oshkosh business education and the work she does managing parking operations, downtown infrastructure planning and customer experience.

Her current role combines operations, leadership, customer service and process improvement, responsibilities she said align closely with the professional development and networking experiences she gained at UW-Oshkosh.

When she reflects on her college years, Pattermann remains most grateful for the welcoming community she found at UW-Oshkosh and the connections that continue to shape her life today.

Below, the UWO alumna reflects on her college experience, career journey and the lessons she shares with current students.

Q&A with Hilary Pattermann

Looking back, what first brought you to UW-Oshkosh, and why did you choose to study finance?
Growing up in Platteville, home of UW-Platteville, pushed me to attend a strong UW school while exploring a different community outside my hometown. Before graduating high school, I participated in a youth apprenticeship program at a local bank, and my mom also worked in the financial industry, so I naturally became interested in banking and finance. UW-Oshkosh stood out because of its strong business program and welcoming campus atmosphere.

What are some of your strongest memories from your time at UW-Oshkosh? Were there any professors, mentors or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?
One of the strongest memories from my time at UW-Oshkosh is working with my academic advisor, Morris Hampton. Between challenging coursework, balancing two part-time jobs and adjusting to college life, my first semester was not going as well as it should have been. Morris was honest but incredibly supportive. He helped me create a plan that included winter interim and summer courses so I could limit both the time and money spent earning my degree. Because of that support, I was able to graduate debt-free in four years.

Your career path has taken you from banking and finance into county and city leadership roles. How did your UW-Oshkosh education help prepare you for that journey?
UW-Oshkosh prepared me for a variety of opportunities through courses in marketing, economics, management and information systems. One class that really stands out to me was an Excel course where we first had to learn formulas and calculations by hand on paper before we were allowed to use the computer program itself. Looking back, it forced us to truly understand the logic and problem-solving behind the work. One of the most valuable parts of my UW-Oshkosh experience was the focus on networking and professional development. Those experiences became incredibly valuable once I was applying for jobs and navigating opportunities in the real world.

Can you tell me a little about your current role as parking manager for the City of Appleton and what people might be surprised to learn about the work?
In my current role as parking manager for Park Appleton, I oversee parking ramps, enforcement activities, permits, maintenance coordination, customer service and technology upgrades. A big part of my role is balancing operational efficiency with customer experience while making sure parking assets remain safe, functional and financially sustainable. I think people are often surprised by how much strategic planning, problem-solving and relationship-building is involved in parking operations, especially during large downtown events.

Your career path isn't necessarily the "traditional" route many students might expect. What advice would you give current UW-Oshkosh students who are still figuring out their direction?
Communication and networking have been the biggest reasons I've been successful and helped me find my passion professionally. My advice to current UW-Oshkosh students would be to stay open-minded, be yourself and be brave enough to try new things and meet new people. It took me 13 years after graduating to find a niche industry that truly feels like the right fit, but every stepping stone along the way prepared me for the role I have today.

When you reflect on your UW-Oshkosh experience, what are you most grateful for, and how did it help shape the person and professional you are today?
I'm most grateful for the welcoming community I found there. My random roommate, Jamie Churchill, '09, Accounting and HR, quickly became my best friend. The four years I spent in college included some of the best moments of my life, along with some difficult and challenging ones. Those experiences helped shape my perspective and gave me a deeper sense of empathy for others who may be navigating their own struggles and transitions. One of the things I value most is that I still get to cheer on many of my classmates in both their professional and personal achievements. We all took very different paths after graduation, but being a UWO alum always brings back a flood of memories whenever I connect with someone else about their time on campus.

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