Giselle Gorsky
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA as a philosophy major. While somewhat unrelated to my career today, I knew early on that the strategic thinking and analytic nature of the program would provide me with the skills to tackle marketing decisions. I became a part of STEM about a year ago when I was a member of the Live Action brand team at Disney Consumer Products.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My role, as a consumer products manager, is to ensure that licensed brands are leveraged for product creation in the most organic way - infusing character into products people use day-to-day. I am responsible for the food, health, beauty, and pet business: analyzing market trends, fiscal budgets, and product development.
3. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is being in a role where consumers can take a part of the movie magic home. I can proudly say that my products have garnered the attention of consumers and are now a part of their everyday lives. The worst part is navigating the corporate ladder. As with any role, internal politics will always be an element of the role.
4. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
While I do take work home sometimes, I recognize that my job is not rocket science and can afford to take some time for myself.
5. What do you define success as?
Making an impact on consumers with the work that I do.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Gusto.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I've had the good fortune of having multiple mentors throughout my career. They taught me to be fearless, strategic, and conscious of my business setting.
8. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
To be open minded - I may have a vision for what I want my career to look like but I can't force it to happen. Take a chance, seize an opportunity, you never know where it may lead. And while you may come off your path, you may end up in another fantastic place.
I grew up in Southern California and attended UCLA as a philosophy major. While somewhat unrelated to my career today, I knew early on that the strategic thinking and analytic nature of the program would provide me with the skills to tackle marketing decisions. I became a part of STEM about a year ago when I was a member of the Live Action brand team at Disney Consumer Products.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
My role, as a consumer products manager, is to ensure that licensed brands are leveraged for product creation in the most organic way - infusing character into products people use day-to-day. I am responsible for the food, health, beauty, and pet business: analyzing market trends, fiscal budgets, and product development.
3. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part of my job is being in a role where consumers can take a part of the movie magic home. I can proudly say that my products have garnered the attention of consumers and are now a part of their everyday lives. The worst part is navigating the corporate ladder. As with any role, internal politics will always be an element of the role.
4. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
While I do take work home sometimes, I recognize that my job is not rocket science and can afford to take some time for myself.
5. What do you define success as?
Making an impact on consumers with the work that I do.
6. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Gusto.
7. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I've had the good fortune of having multiple mentors throughout my career. They taught me to be fearless, strategic, and conscious of my business setting.
8. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
To be open minded - I may have a vision for what I want my career to look like but I can't force it to happen. Take a chance, seize an opportunity, you never know where it may lead. And while you may come off your path, you may end up in another fantastic place.
