By Alex Ruf

Many post-graduation plans for students include graduate school or pursuing careers.

One UK graduate had a slightly different plan.

Reese Brammell, who graduated in May with an economics degree, decided to take the road less traveled after college and become an official Oscar Mayer Wiener “hotdogger.”

Hotdoggers are students who drive the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile around America. Brammell beat out roughly 1,200 other applicants for the job to becoming one of 12 current hotdoggers in America.

Each Wienermobile has two student drivers who are assigned a region of America. Brammell’s Wienermobile stops in various cities in the southeast to work events.

At the events, hotdoggers are expected to meet with all the guests, take countless pictures, give tours of the Wienermobile and give out the Wienerwhistles. However, Brammell said in an average week he gets at least two days to explore the cities.

“It’s a really awesome opportunity,” Brammell said. “I’m a lucky dog.”

He said his desire to travel and meet new people was what really sold him on the job. Even on his off time, Brammell gets approached for driving the Wienermobile. He said the 27 by 8 by 11 foot vehicle is hard to miss.

At UK, Brammell was the mascot, Scratch, for two years. His experience helped him get the job. Now, Oscar Mayer has six different Wiernermobiles touring all across the country.

“I had no idea it was 75 years old,” said Leo Weisberger, a political science senior. “I’m glad, though, because I remember seeing it when I was a little kid.”

Every year, new hotdoggers are selected from colleges across America.

“I can’t name a hotdogger who didn’t enjoy the experience.” said Rachel Kerr, mobile marketing coordinator for Oscar Mayer.

For more information, visit http://www.kraftbrands.com/hotdogger/index.html.ese