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¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ graduates come from all over the world and all walks of life. After graduation, alumni take what they have learned at BPU with them as they move on to begin their careers and live out their dreams. Mary Ellen Windsor ’86 is one of the many alumni whose ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ experience changed her life and helped her begin her dream career working for The Walt Disney Company. Currently, Windsor works as the Senior Manager of Disney Cruise Line Recruitment and Adventures by Disney Recruitment. Windsor shares her story, what she loves about her work, and the importance of education is this Q & A segment:

What was your program of study when you attended ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ and why did you decide to pursue it?  

My program of study was hospitality. Many of my family members worked in the restaurant industry, so the field of hospitality was in my blood. I always loved the fast-paced environment and interaction with people from all over.

Why did you choose to attend ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´?   

I am from Massachusetts, but my family moved to Delaware when I was a junior in high school.  I wanted to go back to Massachusetts when I graduated from high school. When looking into colleges, I wanted to pursue a school that had smaller class sizes. I did not want to be a number. My mom had a cousin who went to ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ and she spoke very highly about it. After visiting the campus, I knew that this was the right place for me to be.  

How did you begin your career in hospitality management?  

When I attended ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´, I was only able to earn my associate degree. Upon graduation, I accepted a position with the Springfield Marriott as a sales assistant. During my first year out of college, I knew I wanted to go back and earn my bachelor’s degree. I attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where I studied hotel and restaurant management. During my two-and-a-half years at UMass, I worked The Pub restaurant full-time to pay for college. Most of my experience was in food and beverage. I just really loved the industry.  

How did you begin working for The Walt Disney Company?

While attending UMass, Disney visited the campus to conduct interviews. I remembered visiting Walt Disney World when I was seven years old. I thought Disney would be a fun place to work. At the time, they were looking for people for the Disney Management Development Program. That was a six-month training program. I was offered the position and relocated to Orlando to begin my career with Disney. After 28 years, I am still with the company!  

Do you feel your education from ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ assisted you with your career growth?

I am so happy I attended ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´. The attention I received as a student made me realize how important an education was. Both of my parents never attended college. I am a strong believer that both education and hands-on experience are critical. A good employee should have a balance of education and life experiences which helps you in any job that you have.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

In my present job, I get the opportunity to change lives. In recruitment, I meet people from all over the world who have always dreamed of working for Disney or who want to start a career with a reputable international organization like Disney. Recruiting for Disney Cruise Line has also given me the opportunity to travel all around the world. I have been to over 50 different countries and have met some of the most interesting and dynamic people. My eyes have been opened to so many different cultures. So, you could say that in my position, not only do I get the opportunity to change people’s lives, but so many people I have met have changed my life.  

What would you recommend to others looking to find a fulfilling career? Where should they start?  

I truly believe that hard work pays off and you have to love what you do. You spend so much of your time at work, and if your job does not make you happy, there is no way that you can do your best or be your best each day. Different experiences whether they be education, work experience, travel, friendships will always help guide you to do what you love - what makes you happy. You should always find ways to grow as a person, constantly learn, be curious, ask a lot of questions and be a good listener. Make every day count! A good day for me is a day where I feel I have a made a difference whether it be in someone’s life or in my contributions in my job.  

As Windsor said, education and life experiences can shape a great and balanced employee. ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´’s education remains dedicated to helping students achieve their dream jobs, like Windsor’s. Education can open new doors for all learners, ignite new passions, and creates new opportunities to explore. Take it from a Disney employee -- attending ¹ú²úÓ´Ó´ is a truly magical experience.