“Mentors see your talent and help you to bring it out.”
– B. Proctor
With this key area of my portfolio, I bring Best Practices and Optimization techniques.
Seeking GameDev Mentorship?
Samuel Asher Rivello is a professional game developer with over 20 years of experience.
Enrollment is open. We are forming a small group for a new masterclass/mastermind. Join today!
Mentoring Portfolio
Sam serves as a mentor for game development and leadership.
Being a mentor involves guiding and supporting individuals through their personal and professional growth, often leveraging one’s own experiences to inspire others. In my career as a mentor, I have found that leadership and mentoring go hand in hand, especially in the fast-paced world of game development. From leading the personal growth and development on teams at Sybo Games and Saganworks to serving as a dedicated mentor at Mastered.com, I’ve had the opportunity to shape the journeys of both teams and individuals, helping them overcome challenges, develop skills, and excel in their fields.
Experience
At Sybo Games, I led the Tools Team, which focused on developing tools that improved workflow efficiency across multiple external game teams. As a mentor and leader, I wasn’t just responsible for task management and delivery. My role was deeply rooted in guiding the team members’ development. I recruited, trained, and provided continuous support to a team of 5–7 staff members, ensuring they grew in both their technical abilities and their capacity to work collaboratively.
At Saganworks, the focus was on collaboration and building effective systems. The team I led consisted of diverse roles, from designers to developers. My mentorship here was centered on fostering a shared vision, providing a platform for creativity, and guiding the team toward delivering high-quality results.
My mentorship role at Mastered.com brought a unique perspective. Mastered.com is a platform that connects industry experts with emerging professionals, providing mentorship to help them accelerate their careers. Here, I provided one-on-one mentoring to individuals, focusing on their personal development and professional growth. Each mentee came from different backgrounds and industries, which required a tailored approach to mentorship. I worked with them on setting achievable career goals, improving their technical and creative skills, and navigating the complexities of the job market. This experience was deeply rewarding, as I had the opportunity to witness the tangible growth and success of mentees as they secured jobs, launched new projects, and gained confidence in their abilities.
In addition to my professional mentoring roles, I serve as an Alumni Mentor through the Penn State LionLink platform at psulionlink.peoplegrove.com. As a part of this alumni network, I have the opportunity to give back to the next generation of Penn State graduates, offering career guidance, advice, and support to students and recent alumni as they transition from academia to the workforce.
📋Learnings
In all these roles, mentorship is about more than simply teaching or giving advice—it’s about building trust, fostering a sense of empowerment, and creating environments where individuals feel safe to explore their potential.
As a mentor, I strive to be a source of guidance and inspiration, helping individuals and teams unlock new possibilities in their personal and professional lives.
What’s Next?
This area of my expertise is particularly exciting!I love to learn & to make an impact with my teams and projects.
Contact me regarding new opportunities that align with my skills and experience.