From Museums To MLSE Launchpad, Amanda Bellissimo Finds Her Career Niche

1. The administration support that involves program and event scheduling, credit card reconciliation, general office tasks, supporting with invoices and vendors. I am the supervisor of the front desk team. Really any way I can support my colleagues with their work my role steps in.
2. Member services! Here, I focus on onboarding new members, member database management, registration, and communication to members. It is very customer service based.

I start my morning at front desk checking in with my staff who is there. I usually like tidying up as I’m an neat freak [laughs]. From I start working on tasks that need my attention but you know something else always pops up. Once programming starts afterschool I turn my focus to going downstairs to be with our members and provide my staff with extra support. My mornings are full of work and my afternoons are play in a way. It’s the best part of my day is talking with our members about how they are doing, how was school today.

1. My First Day! My first PA day at LaunchPad. The youth were the Hype Squad for the Team Up Challenge (MLSE Foundation big fundraising event). I went with a group of youth as a leader. It was like being at camp again.
2. When the Larry OB came to LaunchPad.
3. Co-Planning Family Holiday Party Co-planning our family holiday party. It was really special getting my family to see where I work.

It’s very fast pace in sports and that is something I wasn’t really used to. But it wouldn’t say it was a difficult transition. A learning curve for sure but I’ve used my past experiences in a way that I can adapt them to sports in away and use them to my benefit.

It is so important because we are giving them the chance to learn life skills through sports in a safe environment. We are giving them a space that they feel comfortable to come to, to learn and grow. In the year I’ve been at LaunchPad I have seen the growth in some of our members. How we are a family at LaunchPad this sense of community. Which shows how sports connects people.

1. Network It's important to make connections and get yourself noticed. Volunteering is a great way to get connected to an organization.
2. Multi-Task Roles Do not focus on one specific job description keep your options open. In sports, there are so many different positions and you don’t know which one might be your in. Then from there, you can go after your dream job.
3. Always Learn & Utilize Professional Development Professional development is important because there is always room for you to grow and learn new skills. Growing your skillset is valuable.
4. Be A Team Player Be a team player I know it sounds cheesy but this is such a collaborative industry you are working with different depts. that you should have that team mentality.
5. Be You! Be you because at the end of the day being you is the best.

My super power would be to super sonic speed so I can keep up with the youth at LaunchPad. They have so much energy!