Let's talk about mentors. I'm a big proponent of hustling and carving your own way, but I'm also a huge advocate for cultivating mentor relationships. I like to think of my life as a garden, and while I ultimately get to decide which seeds to plant, mentors have given me invaluable advice on how to achieve the tastiest vegetables.
Pictured above are two of my mentors, Jen and Paula, at an Anderson x Disney mixer we helped co-host. They're both Anderson alumni and current Disney cast members who have helped shape my career into what it is today.
Jennifer Roth Dickerson (FEMBA '12): Jen entered my life while I was only a first year and she's been an amazing mentor and friend. She helped me secure my internship and resulting full-time job, gave me advice on how to navigate the landscape here at Disney, and it's been great to see how our relationship has developed. I'm extremely grateful to have her as a part of my circle, and we still regularly meet for happy hour or lunches.
Paula McMahon (EMBA '12): Paula is a VP at DI Media and we were paired up when I first started. Sometimes paired mentor relationships can fizzle out, but we're actually very compatible, and she's given me everything from emotional guidance to great pieces of advice. One of the earliest (but one of the most impactful) nuggets of wisdom she gave me was when she told me to fly up to SF to visit the LucasFilm team. I was new and hesitant to spend money on Travel & Expenses. However, I took her advice, and that face time with the team was crucial in establishing my relationship with them and it lead to an easier working relationship down the line.
Some Advice: People often ask me for advice about how to maintain a strong mentor relationship, and I would say that the most important thing to remember is that mentoring is a two-way street- you have to invest in the relationship as well. And, I really encourage that you pay it forward and mentor others as well.
New Job: Speaking of mentors, they've been so important to my career so far, and they're how I was recently able to make the jump to a new position at DI Media. I know it's only been 7-8 months at Disney full-time, but I couldn't resist when it was offered to me! As my new role, I'll be the Chief of Staff to the SVP of DI Media, focusing on strategy and brand. Basically, I get to run around and do special projects for our business unit. I'll definitely keep you all posted on how it goes, but I'm excited!
