The value of a mentor

Garrett Valentino can’t remember a time when he wasn’t working. By the age of 13, he was regularly coaching younger children in a variety of sports. Inspired by his godfather, who passed away a few years ago, Valentino strives to combine his love of sports with his strong work ethic.

“My godfather was one of the main reasons I got into sports,” explains Valentino, who works as both a soccer and ice skating coach. “He was always giving me advice about how to be a better player and a better man. I learned the importance of being individually strong and the value of teamwork from him.”

Valentino’s willingness to collaborate and dedication to advancing his career has enabled him to succeed at the College of Saint Elizabeth. As a business administration major, Valentino immediately recognized the importance of networking in his industry. This led him to apply to CSE’s mentoring programand, once accepted, he was connected with Colleen Bryson, ’03, the vice president for client success at EverythingBenefits.

“Having [Bryson] as my mentor helped me grow as a person and realize my potential,” says Valentino. “Through her, I was able to intern at EverythingBenefits and learn about the business world. I asked questions, gave my insight into problems and had daily communication with high-level executives.”

From the mentoring program and personalized attention from faculty to scholarships and hands-on work experience, Valentino is appreciative of every opportunity he’s been afforded at CSE.

“It’s just ingrained in me to be grateful for what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve been given. It’s the reason I’m here.”