My story: applied for several internships, including management, for Spring '09. Had the initial 2 interviews and was moved forward, but only was contacted for a 3rd by retail management. Months of torture ensued waiting for news only to hear that all the MIs had been cancelled for the Spring, with the exception of those already promised to students from Puerto Rico. I had applied for the CP as a backup plan and had been accepted into merch. Because I'm "non-traditional", I lived in a townhouse with my DDs during my CP. I networked, trained, and participated in as much as I could, including the Explorations in Leadership class.
In March, I received a random phone call, noting that I had applied for the MI the previous semester and asking if I would be interested *IF* something came available. heck, yeah! Around that time, I also applied to extend my CP into FSFB, again as a backup plan. Applications started going up again, and I applied again, but was not called for an interview. I was upset b/c I was hearing of others being called, so I thought my opportunity had passed. On Earth Day, 2009, I was walking into work at DAK, DDs in tow (they were going to play while I worked), my phone rang and it was the recruiting office making me an offer for a retail management internship. There were some questions regarding tattoos, piercings, hair, transportation, and housing and I accepted, although I was offered 24 hours. It didn't take me 24 seconds!
I had a gap between my CP and PI from 5/15-6/21. I was not able to go seasonal as my area did not have room on their books, so I lost my hub access. I did not know where I was going to be assigned, even though I'd been told someone would call me in a few weeks. I received a welcome packet (RED folder!) and email instructions about where to report, the details of which changed several times due to a new procedure. I finally had someone look me up to tell me I was at Ft. Wilderness. I wrapped my brain around that and showed up for my intake.
Intake was handled at Casting, which was my first time in the building. We were given specific times to report, so there was not much of a wait. We did paperwork, proved ID, fingerprints, etc. and were done. That afternoon, I got a call welcoming me to the All Stars. I was very confused. Come to find out, there had been some last minute shuffling and I had been moved. I received my training schedule and reported to work. I had about a week of onsite training and a few weeks onsite before going to a week of Foundations classes, which are the management courses offered at DU.
During my internship, I networked like crazy and really shone at my responsibility of Magical Moments which garnered some attention from the area managers and our general manager. On my birthday, 2009, the GM asked me if I would think about taking on a role as 3rd shift duty manager. It would be statused, but only part time. He asked the 3 execs to set up interviews with me which I did and was sold on the role. They posted it in December and on the 23rd, gave me the best Christmas present EVER...a role as a statused manager at WDW. My internship was due to end 1/9 and there was some conversation about letting me go early, but it was finally settled that I would simply transition on 1/10 which I did.
I currently work 3 nights a week, 1030pm-800am (sometimes later, of course) as the overnight manager for the resort. It is an amazing role and I love it. I have my own CMs who are in housekeeping/custodial, but also oversee front desk, DME, engineering, and security, so it's a nice blend of many lines of business. My role is paid such that I also work an extra 32 days per year to help cover vacations and busier times. Since I'm a full time grad student as well as homeschooling 2 children, it is ideal for me right now.
As Brenna said, getting statused with the company, especially right now is a very big deal, so taking the PT manager role was definitely a step in the right direction. As far as I've heard, I was the only MI to be statused anywhere, so it is certainly an honor and a privilege! Once I graduate in October, I'll probably start looking for full time and I'm really hoping I can convince our GM to convert my role so I don't have to go anywhere, but we'll have to see how that works out...
The place where dreams come true. Absolutely!
