Career Day at Mercy

Career Day at Mount Mercy Academy

Mount Mercy Academy was proud to host its annual Career Day this week, welcoming a group of talented professionals who generously spent their morning sharing their time, knowledge, and experiences with our students. We are incredibly grateful to each of our guest speakers for helping bring real-world careers to life in our classrooms.

Throughout the morning, students had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of career paths, from healthcare, education, and public service to the arts, media, beauty, and professional sports. Our speakers shared not only what they do each day, but also the journeys that led them to their careers, including the challenges, opportunities, and important lessons they learned along the way.

Career exploration opportunities like this are so valuable for students. Hearing directly from professionals allows them to see the many different paths that can lead to success. It also helps students begin to imagine their own futures, what they might want to study, the types of work that inspire them, and how their talents and passions can translate into meaningful careers. The conversations were engaging and inspiring, and our students asked thoughtful questions that sparked great discussions in every session.

We were honored to welcome the following speakers:

Alessandra Reino – Spa Owner & Licensed Esthetician. Owner of Spa Alessandra, Alessandra Reino has nearly a decade of experience in the beauty industry. After beginning her career at a medical spa and later working as a lead esthetician, she earned a degree in business and marketing before opening her own spa focused on holistic, results-driven skincare treatments.

Courtney Choczynski, Alison Brown & Nancy Boshier – The Salon Professional Academy. Representing The Salon Professional Academy, this team shared insights into careers in cosmetology and the many opportunities available in the beauty industry after high school.

Marisa May – Quality Assurance Manager, Buffalo 311. A 2017 Mount Mercy graduate, Marisa works for the City of Buffalo helping support departments such as Police, Fire, Public Works, and the Mayor’s Office while connecting residents with city services through the 311 system.

Kayla McSorley – Performer & Arts Administrator. A French-Canadian performer and educator, Kayla holds degrees in Theatre Performance and French from Niagara University. She has performed internationally in productions including SIX The Musical, Come From Away, and Legally Blonde, and currently works with Theatre of Youth in Buffalo.

Christian Smardz – Physical Therapist. A South Buffalo native, Christian is a physical therapist in Hamburg, NY. After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Daemen University, they now help patients recover from injuries and regain mobility through personalized rehabilitation programs.

Angela Esford – Certified Medical Dosimetrist. Working in radiation oncology, Angela designs radiation treatment plans for cancer patients using advanced medical imaging and specialized software to precisely target tumors while protecting healthy tissue.

Isabella Acosta – Hospital Social Worker. A social worker at ECMC and graduate of the University at Buffalo’s Master of Social Work program, Isabella has experience working in shelters, domestic violence clinics, and healthcare settings supporting individuals and families during challenging times.

Tracy Peron – Special Education Teacher. With more than 20 years of experience, Tracy works with The Children’s League in Springville supporting preschool students with disabilities and helping build the early educational foundation for lifelong learning.

Pamela LaMancuso – Project Director, 8th Judicial District Problem Solving Courts. Pamela began her career with the New York State Unified Court System and helped coordinate the launch of the nation’s first Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court. She now trains courts across the country while serving as Project Director for the 8th Judicial District.

Bethany Botzenhart – Real Estate Agent. A Western New York native, Bethany transitioned to real estate after 25 years in leadership and customer service roles. She now helps families navigate the home buying and selling process in the Buffalo area.

Matt Crawley – Performance Scientist. Matt is a Product Success Manager for Teamworks and an adjunct professor at Canisius University. With experience working with organizations such as the Dallas Stars, UFC Performance Institute, Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo Bandits, he helps athletes optimize performance, recovery, and health.

Kathleen McNerney & Sara Mann Kahris – Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology. Representing Buffalo State University, Kathleen and Sara shared insights into careers supporting communication and hearing health, highlighting the many professional opportunities within speech-language pathology and audiology.

Marylyn Ryan – Journalist & Media Executive. With more than 40 years in broadcasting, including 25 years at CNN, Marylyn now serves as Vice President of News at Georgia Public Broadcasting. She spoke with students about the changing media landscape and the growing opportunities in journalism and podcasting.

Career Day is always a special opportunity for our Mercy community. We are grateful to our speakers for inspiring our students and helping them see the many possibilities that lie ahead. Their willingness to share their stories reminds us how powerful mentorship, service, and real-world connections can be in shaping the next generation.