This is where my journey with Disney begins. After my college program, I decided one night (during a breakdown) that I needed to apply to Disney professional internships. I wasn’t excited about any of the jobs I was pursuing in the accounting field, and I missed my happy place.
I ended up applying to six professional internships that night and one full-time position with Disney on a whim (I believe it was around midnight and I had an 8am class the next day). I have always loved event planning and the restaurant industry plus I have a strong background in business. This lead me to apply for the following internships:
- Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings-Event Internship
- Event Services Internship
- Business Management Intern, Event Operations
- Golden Oak Sales Internship
- Disney VIP Tour Services/Support Internship
- Disneyland Resort Catering Convention Services Internship
- Accounting & Finance Rotation Program Analyst (full-time)
I honestly did not think that I was going to get an internship. Although I knew in the back of my head that I belonged there, I applied really late to most of the internships and didn’t think I’d have a chance.
I stayed in submission for most of the internships, but eventually went to “in progress” for the Business Management Intern for Event Operations. I was offered a phone screen, and later asked for a second interview via Blue Jeans (like Skype).
I didn’t feel my web-interview went well. It didn’t go poorly, but the sound kept cutting in and out due to my horrible wi-fi connection and I felt like I didn’t get to show off my personality like I wanted to. Our cat, Cornelius, also decided that was the moment he wanted to sit on my lap and snuggle-so I was constantly trying to shove a cat off my lap without the interviewer knowing.
My interviewer told me to give him two weeks to make a decision as he had other interviews and it was the longest wait of my life. I kept refreshing my dashboard all day long hoping that I wouldn’t see the dreaded “No Longer In Consideration”.
Eleven days after my second interview, my hope was gone, and I got an email to schedule a follow up call with HR. (Eleven is my lucky number-I should have known.) I started crying when I read the email. I knew they wanted to make me an offer. I scheduled the phone follow-up for later that day-and let me tell you that sitting through four hours of work when you are waiting for Disney to call you is SO impossible. I couldn’t focus.
My phone rang shortly after 4pm, I was asked if I was still interested in the position, if I had any tattoos, if I was familiar with the Disney look, if I would have reliable transportation…and then I GOT AN OFFER! I was honestly in shock. I didn’t know what to say; I was too happy. My struggle of finding a job and figuring out how to get back to Disney was over!
So I am happy to announce that I accepted my offer and will be the new Business Management Intern for Event Operations. I will be working closely with catering and floral and analyzing data. It is a project-based role so every day will be different. As far as I know I am the only intern they have hired.
I am so excited to go on this journey. I will be moving down to Orlando permanently in June for the next few years or so to see where I can go within Disney. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me-this is my dream.
