Laguna Alumni Share Their Journeys to Success

On Wednesday, February 22, four Laguna alums shared their inspiring career path stories with an engaged audience of Upper School students. The panelists included (L to R):

Sofia Melograno '07, founder of Beru Kids
Nathan Carey '02, founder of ProYo Yogurt
Melissa Holbrook Schmitt '08, Ph.D. Candidate in African elephant behavior
Spencer Dusebout '11, founder of Hands4Others

The alumni panel was designed to explore the many paths for a successful professional life and encourage students to follow their passions. "It's hard for students to visualize their lives much beyond the age of 18 or 19, which for most means their college acceptance," explains Assembly Coordinator Trish McHale. "This assembly aims to push that time horizon well beyond college so students can see that it is their passion and work ethic that will determine who they become," adds longtime teacher Paul Chiment.
 
After brief introductions, panelists described what they were like as students at Laguna, and their individual journeys post college. They shared some of their greatest challenges along the way and highlighted the importance of making and learning from mistakes. They emphasized that approaching failures with a positive mindset of flipping them into learning experiences will only help one to become stronger, smarter, and better. "Having a passion for what you're doing also helps to get you through the low times and crawl out of those valleys," says Dusebout.

Panelists imparted practical advice about what they look for when hiring employees. Melograno hires people who complement her skills and counterbalance her weaknesses. Carey looks for passion, creativity, and whether someone can smile. "It's important to have fun," he explains. Schmitt looks for those who have a spark and are team oriented, while Dusebout gravitates toward creative people who take initiative and aren't just "box checkers."

"Since Laguna is like a family and our alums and current students share so many common Laguna experiences--same teachers, same coaches, same set of expectations--this panel discussion was much like older siblings sharing advice and wisdom with their younger siblings," describes Chiment.

Thank you, Laguna alumni, for sharing how you put your passion into action and applied your education to create meaningful careers that contribute to the betterment of our world.
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