When it came to deciding her career path, there was only ever Plan A for Bella Cortier鈥��22: theme parks
The native Floridian dreamed of working in one someday and knew UCF 鈥� located next door to some of the world鈥檚 premiere theme parks with a solid pipeline to the industry 鈥� was her ticket to get there.
Never mind that at the time of her enrollment to the in 2020, a global pandemic had quite literally closed the doors on the industry.
Nothing could derail her from her goal.
Today, the hospitality management alum is a senior technical coordinator at in Orlando, the division of that designs, develops and produces immersive theme park attractions, resorts and experiences worldwide.
Making a Bold Move
As a junior in high school, Cortier got her first real glimpse of career options in hospitality when she attended an industry-focused summer camp that Rosen College hosted at the time. As a senior, she focused her AP capstone project on hydroponics in the theme park industry. She knew the project would help her make connections, because it required a professional mentor.
Cortier took the initiative to reach out to , dean of Rosen College, who at that time was interim chair of the college鈥檚 Department of Foodservice and Lodging Management.
Mejia appreciated Cortier鈥檚 interest in the industry and her courage in reaching out. She invited her for a campus tour and connected her to a local hydroponics expert. Cortier鈥檚 bold plan had worked.
鈥淚t is so rare to get a cold call from a high school student who, at such a young age, was so certain she wanted to build a career in hospitality leadership. You just do not see that kind of passion every day,鈥� says Mejia, who continued to mentor Cortier throughout her time at UCF. 鈥淏ella continuously challenges and pushes herself past her comfort zone, which is why she is so successful and a model for the students who come after her. I am so proud of her.鈥�
Turning the Unexpected Into a Winning Situation
Cortier鈥痗ontinued to demonstrate that dedication and initiative once she was a full-time student. She was part of a core group who鈥痑ttended鈥痭early every virtual鈥痬eet-and-greet鈥痺ith鈥痜aculty and staff that the Rosen College organized.
鈥淲hen the faculty and staff saw that I was showing up, and they understood the passion that I had to be there, they started inviting me to take part in different events,鈥� says Cortier, who was invited to be a student representative on the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council, provide college tours for industry leaders and be part of a project team to enhance the student experience post-pandemic.
Meanwhile she also joined the Rosen College Leadership Council, became a tour guide with UCF Undergraduate Admissions and joined the student chapter of the Future Theme Park Leaders Association. Cortier also joined the as a member of the drum line, and that鈥檚 where she met her fianc茅, Erik Solberg 鈥�24.
Forging a Path and Finding Her Place
When her marching band responsibilities ended in fall 2020, Cortier landed her first part-time job in a local theme park, SeaWorld Orlando. She discovered her love of working in rides and attractions and parlayed that into two summer internships focused on hospitality leadership development at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania and another job at Universal Orlando Resort.
鈥淚 loved Universal right away, and I knew I wanted to ultimately end up there,鈥� Cortier says.
During her last semester of school, Cortier became an intern on the Universal Orlando Resort Operations Safety & Compliance team, and she has been with the company ever since.
In 2023, she made the move from a front-line job to a backstage role with Universal Creative after attending an internal career fair to explore opportunities.
鈥淚 always loved attractions so much, and I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 ever want to leave, but I made the jump to explore something new, and I鈥檓 so glad I did,鈥� says Cortier, who supports the engineering and safety team at Universal Creative, which helps bring new experiences to life.
Moving Forward, Giving Back
Cortier still values networking, and she has developed a passion for helping others find their way. She is involved with IAAPA, a global association for the attractions industry, and serves on its North American Education Committee and as chair of its Young Professionals Education Task Force.
鈥淩osen College gave me a foundation in hospitality, leadership, operations, teamwork and creating meaningful guest experiences.鈥�
鈥� Bella Cortier
鈥淩osen College gave me a foundation in hospitality, leadership, operations, teamwork and creating meaningful guest experiences,鈥� Cortier says. 鈥淲hen I get calls to come back and speak or be part of an event at Rosen College, I always say yes. I had people feed into me, and that鈥檚 my way of giving back 鈥� sharing my experience and talking to students who are finding their path.鈥�
Cortier shared her story at the announcement&苍产蝉辫;辞蹿&苍产蝉辫;迟丑别鈥�, a first-of-its-kind addition to the No. 1 hospitality college in the nation, backed by a $10 million investment from Universal Destinations and Experiences.
This new Pegasus Partnership is part 色花堂鈥檚 campaign, a bold mission for the future of the university.
