How Cast Mentorship Creates Meaningful Opportunities 

No matter where you are in your journey, the right mentor can help turn uncertainty into direction. That’s what happened when Sofia met Megan. 

Learn more about how Megan and Sofia developed their mentorship.

Through a nine-month mentorship program in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, mentee Sofia Gomez, a food and beverage cast member and student at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), found mentorship in Megan Martin, a stage manager in candy production. Throughout the program, their mentor-mentee relationship became a powerful example of fostering connection, gaining clear guidance and finding a path. 

Megan and Sofia celebrating the end to a successful program at the end-of-year celebration earlier this month at Disneyland Resort.

This mentorship program is one of many community workforce development initiatives at the resort, where cast members volunteer their time to connect with students and adults in Anaheim and Orange County, with needed skills and development opportunities that help prepare them to secure quality jobs in our local community and set them on a long-term career path. 

Sofia, a third-year college student studying business, joined the program looking for clarity in her upcoming post-grad job search. Having received her degree in business at CSUF and worked as a food and beverage cast member throughout college, Megan made the perfect mentor for Sofia. 

Sofia and Megan on the CSUF campus in Fullerton, Calif. 

This was Megan’s second time as a mentor through this program and her motivation for doing so remains the same: “I wish I had this opportunity when I was in college. Having someone give you guidance and connection when you’re figuring out your next steps can make such a difference,” Megan said. 

Megan’s approach to mentorship kept things simple and genuine. She wanted their relationship to feel approachable and supportive. “I always want to set the tone that I’m human,” Megan said. “I want my mentees to feel comfortable and know I’m here to support them in any way I can.” 

That mindset set the tone for a beautiful friendship between the pair.  

The pair burst into smiles and laughter in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park, while reminiscing their shared memories from the program.

“We got along really well from the start. I wasn’t expecting to have so much in common, but we do,” Sofia shared smiling. “She’s helped me grow a lot.” 

Megan helped Sofia refine her resume, guided her on how to build meaningful connections with professionals, and, most importantly, gave her the confidence to take ownership of her career path and pursue it with intention. 

Mentoring created space for growth for Megan as well, allowing her to explore ways to become a better mentor in her area, and for the cast she leads every day. 

Megan looks over at Sofia and intently listens as she shares her “Toast for Change,” where she spoke words of gratitude for Megan’s guidance and advice throughout the program.

Learning how Megan navigated career growth at Disney and hearing her experiences firsthand, helped Sofia reframe how she thinks about the future. Earlier this month, at the end-of-program celebration, Sofia shared heartfelt words of gratitude to Megan, reflecting on the impact of Megan’s mentorship. Sofia now feels more confident exploring her own path, leaving the program with a clearer sense of direction and possibility. 

Opportunities to learn from leaders and peers exist every day. Cast members looking to grow, give back or build meaningful connections can explore community workforce development initiatives across the resort. Whether stepping in as a mentor or supporting students through mock interviews, these experiences offer a chance to share knowledge, gain perspective and play an active role in shaping the next generation. 

From volunteer projects supporting the local community to granting wishes and beyond, discover more about how Disneyland Resort is making a difference in the community.