Alum Updates
Virtual Career Day, actual career experts Career Day is always an exciting event at Mayfield, and this year’s was even more so. For our first Virtual Alum Career Day, we welcomed almost 60 alum professionals—more than double last year’s number!—to talk about their work in the arts, business, engineering, entertainment, media, journalism, law, marketing, communications, health, medicine and psychology. “This was my first time attending a Career Day,” says ASB President Mariana Trujillo ’21. “So I really did not know what to expect.” But she found the event enthralling. “It’s truly crazy to think about how the alumni were once in my shoes. They were once stressing about an AP Government test or maybe running down the hill after school for a volleyball game. And now seeing how they are in the workforce exploring who they want to be and making a change in the world was truly inspiring.” Our students had a chance to connect with everyone from a brand manager at Coca Cola to a pediatric cardiologist, from a reporter at the L.A. Times to a senior software systems engineer at JPL, from a communications director at the U.S. House of Representatives to a federal prosecutor at the Justice Department. Students got answers to their burning questions and learned about the expansive job opportunities available for Mayfield grads.
“It is always so refreshing hearing about personal experiences from our alums regarding their different fields of expertise,” says Courtney Gangi ’21. “Rather than reciting basic facts about each of their career paths, I have noticed that every Career Day, the alums are very honest with us about their work, and are always enthusiastic about answering students’ questions—no matter how vague or specific!” And the alums who participated were just as enthusiastic as the students. “It was an amazing Career Day and so great to connect with fellow alums from around the world,” says Gerianne Sarte ’90, VP Finance at Johnson & Johnson, who served as the moderator on the business panel. “I was so proud of the accomplishments of the alums on the panels and their passion for developing the next generation of Mayfield leaders. A Mayfield education is clearly an amazing foundation for women of all walks of life to succeed.” And Alexandra Badie ’14, Magazine Editor for Nellie Gail Ranch, who served as the moderator on the marketing and communications panel, was deeply impressed both by the conversation between alums and students on her panel and on other panels she attended as well.
“The soft skills and personal development Mayfield taught [alums] have allowed them to build impressive careers and become strong leaders,” she says. “It was incredible to see this consistent pattern of strong female leaders who aren’t afraid to be who they are.” All in all, our Virtual Career Day on Zoom was an unmitigated success that will forever change the way we approach this important alum mentoring opportunity. “With this event being virtual, it has completely changed the way we’ll hold this event in the future,” says Director of Alum Engagement Nicole Cosand Burcham. “When we’re back in person, Career Day will be hybrid so we’ll be able to include alums from coast to coast and beyond!” Save the date for next year’s Career Day on Feb. 4, 2022! For more information, or to sign up as a panelist or moderator, contact Nicole Cosand Burcham, Director of Alum Engagement, at nicole.burcham@mayfieldsenior.org or (626) 204-1012.
Alums Zoom in to campus
Our newfound (and universal!) familiarity with online meetings inspired us to welcome a record number of Mayfield alums to campus virtually this year. We are so grateful to all of you who logged into Zoom and shared your experience and expertise with our students!
Musical life after high school. This virtual meeting was a chance for recent grads to answer questions from student musicians about their post-Mayfield musical journeys. Thank you to alum musicians Anna Arboles ’13, Kaetlyn Liddy ’17, Melissa Macedo ’06, Michelle Macedo ’06 and Melody Soong ’18 for sharing your experiences and insights with our Vocal and Instrumental Conservatory students. 56
POSTSCRIPTS 2021
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