Firstly, I was a proud part of the Disney College Program for the Fall of 2012. I worked in attractions at It's Tough to be a Bug in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Now I won't lie, when I received my location at Casting, I was not the happiest camper. Animal Kingdom was the one park that I felt I had no connection with. It was a park that my family normally spent half a day in doing the major rides, and then left. By the end of my program, Animal Kingdom became my favorite park! I loved EVERYTHING about my location. Working in the Tree of Life every day was truly something amazing, and my hours were pretty normal which was cool too. Even my hunter green bug costume was comfy and grew on me! I loved the park music, the restaurants, and I would go into work early sometimes with my friends to ride the safari first thing in the morning when all of the animals are really active, or before a closing shift we would all go get yak and yeti quick service and go into the tree early to eat lunch with everyone who was already working. I met my best friends working at the tree, and because it wasn't that many of us, we were all SO incredibly close. I have two best friends from different parts of Australia, one who still works there (he's a full time cast member that is my age) and a best friend from Texas! We all still talk to this day, and I think that being in a smaller park like Animal Kingdom is a big part of that.
Throughout my program I knew I wanted to do a Professional Internship. I applied for a few Alumni Only positions, and received a drop down for my first choice: Casting Employment Coordinator Associate Internship! I was so excited! I received background check information and completed all the documents. But after what felt like eternity, I eventually received a NLIC (No Longer in Consideration) for the drop down. (I'm the proof that a drop down and a background check does not guarantee an offer!) I was devastated. My two other roommates received offers for Professional Internships so I was the loner without an offer, even though I was super excited for them!
Towards the end of my program, I applied for an extension of my college program as either a concierge or character attendant, and I put my last choice as staying in my current location. I was offered an extension, but decided that staying in the same role was not what I felt would help my résumé to eventually get a PI, so I went home.
When I got home, I was a new college graduate, and now needed a full time job. I had worked for Target for years as an HR team member and as a sales floor team member, so I applied for a Team Leader position and was offered a Guest Service Team Leader position. After a few months of this position, I knew I wanted to be involved in a business where I could help clients and guests on a deeper level than my position at Target could offer me. So I got a job as a Branch Office Administrator position with Edward Jones Investments, and that's where I am now! I like my job, and I get to service clients on a much deeper level and assist them with scheduling meetings with their financial advisor, and help them through their paperwork and meeting their financial goals. Although I like my position, I've realized through both of my roles in guest service on different levels and in different industries, that my dream is to go back to the Walt Disney World Resort as a Guest Relations Intern where I can explore my love for this field with people from all over the world! As I plan to reapply for a Disney Professional Internship, I figured I could start this blog to chronicle my application process and hopefully help people along the way with their applications as well! I'm here to answer any questions, and would love to hear your stories if you are (or were) a Guest Relations intern (or any Disney Professional Intern for that matter!) My next post will be when Disney Recruiting posts the applications for Fall 2014!So until then, "See Ya Real Soon!" :)
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