The Disney Summer Associate program

[bonjourlove]

So feel free to ask me questions! If I don't know the answer, I can ask somebody. And sorry this got so long

spbink, this has been so entirely helpful. i've been trying to find more information on the summer program. i am currently in the disney college program and i would love to work the studio program. my mentors say it will be a lot easier for me to get in since i am already under the company. is there an email where i can contact you to ask more questions? i don't know how to use this message board haha but if there is a PM somewhere, you can send it through there. please help! thanks so much

 

[tracytreasure]

Hey! I just saw this post, and im really trying to get a summer internship at Disney. But i cant see any of the summer internship positions under the 'apply for position' option. is it that the positions are not yet out for the summer program?
also, im applying to be either an animator, a storyboard artist or a visual development artist. Seeing that im only a sophomore, do i have to be absolutely great at animations or are they simply looking for people with interest and talent.
Again, im a bit nervous about the reel portfolio submission. Did you need to turn in any one? and what were the kind of things you put together?

 

[spbink]

On the Studios' internship website it says that internships will be posted on November 15th.

The position I had wasn't an artistic one, so I didn't have to submit a portfolio, but I'd say do the best you can! Be sure that your cover letter shows that you are passionate about the field and eager to learn. I'm sure that any portfolio is better than none - if they see your potential, they are more likely to take a chance on you. One time I had to go through some applicants for an internship and I definitely ranked the ones with cover letters above the ones who just sent resumes, because the letters told me why they wanted to do the internship and it highlighted the work they had done that would relate to the job. I'm sure having a portfolio is the same for artistic people. If they can't see any of your work, they'll probably assume the worst, not the best.

Remember that internships are learning experiences. Nobody will expect you to do professional quality work when you're still in school - that's why you're going for an internship in the first place!

 

[heaven2dc]

I just found this thread and after reading the original post, I am excited about applying for the undergraduate internship position. I applied 2 days ago and now two of my applications show "in progress" which I hope is a good sign. These two are for the Undergraduate Intern, ABC Entertainment Group for Spring 2012 and the other is for Undergraduate Intern, Casting also for Spring 2012.

I am very new to this whole process and am very excited too! I hope to receive an email or phone call for an interview. Has anyone else on the Disboards ever worked as an undergraduate intern at ABC Entertainment? When I applied, the application didn't ask for a cover letter but when I looked over my submitted resume, there was a place to submit one. Did anyone else submit a cover letter with their resume and application? (sorry for all of the questions!)

 

[spbink]

Good luck with your application!

I did include a cover letter, and I always recommend including one. Anything you can do to make yourself stand out and highlight why you'd be a good choice for the position over all the other people submitting resumes is important. Not all HR people will read them, but I've looked over resumes before and I always end up ranking the ones with cover letters higher because the applicant tells me why they want the position and why they would be good at the position. On ones with just resumes, I have to try to pull those details out myself out of past experience that isn't always directly related to the job. Not that you can't get a job without a cover letter, I just feel it helps

Also, when I applied for my internship in 2007, I sent in my application in December and didn't hear back until the end of February. So don't worry if you don't hear back right away!

 

[heaven2dc]

Thanks spbink! I will write a cover letter this morning and submit it as sort of a general one that will outline my strengths and why I want to work for Disney/ABC Entertainment. I hope to hear from them soon - I can't imagine how all of you went through the waiting game so patiently!

 

[princessemily21]

Thanks spbink! I will write a cover letter this morning and submit it as sort of a general one that will outline my strengths and why I want to work for Disney/ABC Entertainment. I hope to hear from them soon - I can't imagine how all of you went through the waiting game so patiently!

I'm applying for an ABC Studios New York internship for this coming summer. Best of luck to you!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Hi spbink! I just found this thread, and I'm definitely planning on applying to the Disney Studios undergraduate summer internship. I was just wondering if I should include my cover letter with the whole application, or if I should send it in after (I haven't made it all the way through the 10-step application because I don't want to hit submit by mistake haha). I know my resume has to be included - should I include my cover letter in the same document?

Thanks so much - I'd love to work for Disney this summer!

 

[spbink]

I'd keep the two documents separate. There should be a way to submit both documents to the same job listing on the site, but I haven't had to use the new disneyjobs site since I already work for the company

Good luck with your application! Working for Disney is definitely a great way to spend a summer

 

[bhamp09]

Hello everyone,

I am in the second phase of the interview process for the Disney Summer Associate Program. I interviewed initially with a recruiter in early November and applied online as well. I kept in contact with my recruiter and now the scheduling manager has set me up with an interview with the Creative Music and Soundtrack Department next week. I am very excited and hope to do well on the interview.
I have some questions for "@Spbink": How did your interview go with the department? What sorts of things did the hiring manager or department ask you?

Also, I read in your earlier post that housing is in parts of Burbank, Glendale/Pasadena and also Cal Tech. Do you know how much the average cost for housing would cost for 3 months in that area? I am just asking because I will be traveling from Atlanta and trying to get a feel on how much apartments cost and is the housing decent in those areas. A lot of people say look on craigslist and padlooker.com but I wanted to ask someone that was familiar with that area as well.

I am trying to prepare myself for next week's interview and hopefully things go well!

Thanks

Bhamp09

 

[spbink]

I have some questions for "@Spbink": How did your interview go with the department? What sorts of things did the hiring manager or department ask you?

I interviewed with two teams, and they were very different. Each were interviewing about eight people for the position. I was applying for programming positions, so my experience may be different from what you'll get.

The first group did a Google-style interview, where they asked me some brain teasers to see how I solved them. One was how many degrees between the hour and minute hands of a clock at 3:15. Then we just talked some about my previous programming experience, and what their department did, and the usual stuff. There were probably a few "What is your biggest weakness?" typical interview questions.

The second group was a lot more intense - they were asking really technical programming questions, using jargon, etc. The interviewer seemed almost argumentative. It may have been he just wasn't good with people, or because I was the last one they interviewed and he already had a first choice from people they had interviewed before.

Anyway, if it isn't obvious, I ended up working with the first group

Also, I read in your earlier post that housing is in parts of Burbank, Glendale/Pasadena and also Cal Tech. Do you know how much the average cost for housing would cost for 3 months in that area? I am just asking because I will be traveling from Atlanta and trying to get a feel on how much apartments cost and is the housing decent in those areas. A lot of people say look on craigslist and padlooker.com but I wanted to ask someone that was familiar with that area as well.

When I was out here, I lived with a friend and my rent was about $850. But normally for a roommate it would probably cost less - I was in a fancy area of Pasadena.

Gina, our recruiter, made an email list for all incoming interns, so a lot of people found people to live with through that. Your best bet is probably going to be looking for a summer sublet in the Caltech area, or maybe up around Burbank airport. I'd expect to spend $400-$700 a month if you have a roommate, $800-$1200 if you don't. Of course, depending on your living standards, you can always find a dirt cheap place. It wouldn't be very pleasant though

Good luck with your interviews next week! Be sure to let us know how it goes!

 

[bhamp09]

Thank You!! My interview is going to be Friday and I will be taking all of your suggestions into account when I am preparing myself for it. I will let you know how it goes on Friday night! Thanks

 

[bhamp09]

Hey guys. My interview two weeks ago went great!!
My interviewer and I really connected and everything went well.
She stated that there would be a third interview again though with the Office of President in the next two weeks. So, the storm is not over yet. Has anybody else had their interview yet?? If so, what department??

 

[soft_spell]

I'm assuming it's way too late to apply for this, right???

 

[charmingbubble21]

Hi all!
I applied for the Undergraduate Studios Internship in January and after my phone screen for a professional internship, my dashboard showed that I am currently "in-progress". I noticed that people have already had interviews, so I am wondering if I still have a good chance if I have not been called for an interview?

I want to go into the Marketing, Publicity, Promotions or Event internships at the studios. I did a College Program in Orlando, Florida in 2010 and I am currently a Campus Representative. I also have completed 4 other internships in the marketing, publicity, promotions fields. Does anyone have any tips and advice? Do I still have a chance or should I just give up? Any information would be SO helpful!

 

[JazMaz09]

Hey guys. My interview two weeks ago went great!!
My interviewer and I really connected and everything went well.
She stated that there would be a third interview again though with the Office of President in the next two weeks. So, the storm is not over yet. Has anybody else had their interview yet?? If so, what department??

I noticed that you said you were in Atlanta! So am I!

I just completed my interview with the recruiter about 3 weeks ago and i have my interview with a department next week!

*Crosses Fingers*

Are you in school out here?
And If I am accepted into the program, I will need housing as well. Have you started looking at places?

 

[bhamp09]

@JazMaz09 That's great!! Nice to see a fellow ATLien on the board lol
And no I am in school in Washington, D.C currently but my home is in Atlanta but I did attend to Georgia State University for a minute until I transfered. What department did you interview with? And as far as housing I am starting to search now at Cal Tech University for any housing they have available in the summer and checking the prices at padlocker.com as well.

 

[KingK12]

This is a pretty good program. My brother got accepted in 2010 and he loved every minute of it!

 

[kitson]

Wow! What a great program!

 

[nancypants]

Hi Spbink!

My name is Nancy and I'm a freshman art major looking for summer internships with Disney Animation. I was browsing for more information on the Art & Production Summer Internship Program at Walt Disney Animations

I was wondering if I could contact you somehow and ask you some questions. I've been a huge fan of Disney and I really want to learn from them over summer. Thank you so much

Sincerely,

Nancy Wang