ALUMNI | news
Experience is the Best Teacher New alumni mentor program inspires both students and alums by Julie Long Brett Gunio ’12 is already a seasonal entertainment cast member at Walt Disney World.
L Keith Smith ’89, a human resources manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, has mentored Brett Gunio ’12 as he seeks his own career at Disney.
ife after college—where do I go next? It’s a question that faces all college alumni after four years filled with learning both academic and life lessons. Whether recent graduates have their career path paved out in their minds or they are pondering their next move, Nazareth can help. The College’s Alumni Relations Office has joined with Student Services to create a new alumni mentoring program. The mentoring pilot program took flight this past spring, when the Alumni Relations Office contacted several student leaders at Nazareth and paired them with an engaged Nazareth alum to show other alumni how easy and fulfilling it can be. Enter Brett Gunio ’12 and Patrick Glaser ’12, both student leaders on campus, both seniors, both with a dream of what they want to achieve.
Disney Dreams Gunio, a quad inclusive education and mathematics major, says while he’s getting a teaching degree at Nazareth next May, it’s performing that is his passion. “I did the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando in fall 2009 and knew that I wanted to move back to Florida after graduation and try for full time within the parks.” He is already a seasonal entertainment cast member, allowing him to go down over breaks and pick up shifts. It seems like Gunio
52 CONNECTIONS | Winter 2011-12
has a good foot in the door with Mickey & Co., but Alumni Relations Assistant Director Donna Borgus knew she could help him do even better, pairing him with Keith Smith ’89, a human resources manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Smith, who majored in theatre arts with a minor in business management, sees a lot of his own story in Gunio’s. He spent four years in character entertainment at Disney before entering human resources. “It’s been a very rewarding journey,” he says, “but not without a few uncertainties, detours, and paths that I never imagined I would take.” Those detours can be easier for Gunio to navigate with the help of a seasoned mentor. “Career roadblocks, unexpected changes, and challenges often help to clarify our goals and shape who we are,” says Smith. Gunio knows his mentor’s success and advice can only help him while they brainstorm career options and skills needed for future employment within Disney. “I’m interested to hear Keith’s story about the path he took to move up within the company,” says Gunio, who hopes to perform and travel with Disney before returning to teaching in a classroom. “Similar to Keith, I too have contemplated the possibility of working my way through different departments within Disney.” While Disney veteran Smith can help teach Gunio so much, the Nazareth senior also hopes to give a bit www.naz.edu