Sustaining Systems the Disney Way: Q&A with Bernardo, Sustaining Controls Engineer
Bernardo’s journey is one that has been marked by resilience. Before his story became part of The Walt Disney Company, he emigrated from Colombia, where he was previously an electronic engineer and professor.
“It was a very difficult time,” Bernardo said. “These really difficult experiences helped me…to be resilient and transform these moments into strengths, keeping my convictions and my desire to do things well firm.”
He held on tightly to those values when he started as an Electrician supporting various resorts across Walt Disney World in 2017. After honing his technical skills through certifications and forging his path with effort, determination, and enthusiasm, Bernardo landed his current role as a Sustaining Controls Engineer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Bernardo’s role is riddled with creative problem-solving as he supports technicians in developing ways to make attractions safer and more reliable.
In the seven years he’s been at Disney, Bernardo has grown fond of the culmination of diversities each of his colleagues brings to the team—something he says greatly contributed to restoring the vulture figure at the top of the mountain at Expedition Everest.
“When I was assigned to work on this attraction, this figure had not been working,” Bernardo said. “With the help of one of my colleagues, [they] helped me get the parts I needed and were able to make [the vulture figure] work for several more years.”
Bernardo was also asked a few questions about the work he’s a part of at The Walt Disney Company:
What inspires your work?
Seeing all the people enjoying their favorite attractions by feeling safe, which allows the attractions to be more attractive to the guests.
What is your favorite part of the day?
My favorite part of the day is when you manage to make every situation a great experience. It’s also when you are attending to an important issue but do the process in such a way that we all have fun and learn from it. Here we face challenges with a great attitude and get feedback through continuous improvement.
What are the most challenging and most rewarding parts of your role?
The most challenging thing in my role is facing different issues on different attractions every day, sometimes in the four different parks where your knowledge, experience and creativity are tested to resolve issues to the attractions. Obviously, the most rewarding part is when you solve the issues by working as a team in a safe way!
How does your work impact and influence Disney’s success as a company?
The work of the team in which I work is decisive in the success of the company because it allows the attractions to be optimally operational for all the guests who visit our parks. This includes ride control, show, lighting, and sound among others.
What would you say to someone considering working for Disney?
Once you enter Disney you will be changed forever in the best possible way. It is an experience that completely envelops you. You see how you can have the job of your dreams and that you can also continue growing with that dream in different facets of your life. It allows you to grow professionally, academically, personally, stay healthy and have fun!
Ready to begin your journey at The Walt Disney Company? Visit Disney Careers to learn more and apply today!
