I am in the Spring 2010 as a quick food and beverage cast member. I have three questions.
1) It was not one of my choices and I really rather be doing something else. Is there anyway to switch after I have accepted my role? I don't want to e-mail the recruiters and piss them off before I get there.
2) I have not heard any good things about quick food and beverage role and I really want to have a good time down there. Has anyone heard or done this role and loved it?
3) I am a finance major and this has nothing to do with finance but I really want to work for Disney after I graduate so is this a good idea even though my role has nothing to do with my major? I am taking time off of school for this and don't want to wast my time.
ANY advice you can give me would be great. I am a nervous wreak.
I know that someone else already answered your question but I'd love to answer it from my perspective. I've been around the block - CP wise, i'm also a Campus Rep - and I think I can really help you with your anxiety.
1.) Unfortunately, there is no way to switch your role. Once you've accepted to do the college program you are pretty much locked in. The only formal way to switch is if you decide to extend when it comes fall (meaning you would be adding another program) they give you the opportunity to apply to switch your role and/or audition for entertainment.
With that being said, you will not being making your recruiter mad by sending them an email. Disney is all about communication. I would approach it in this way - that you are excited about the opportunity and understand that they've placed you in a role they felt best for you and you've agreed to perform it BUT you were wondering if there were any openings in other roles (such as people who declined to participate in the program recently) that you could be switched too. Relate it too your major and explain why doing something like Merch could help because of the more opportunities for cash handling.
Basically, you never know if there is an open spot in their recruiting region that they could squeeze you into. I wouldn't get your hopes up but it's def worth the try. It's happened before.
2.) I worked QSFB on my first program at the Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. It was definitely not my first choice. I decided to do it anyway because it was a way into the Disney Company and in 2007 I realized that I needed to start getting internships on my resume (lets face it, internships are what get the you job now-a-days). My major is broadcast communications and had nothing to do with it. I did not hate it though. It was pretty fun most of the time and the guest interaction is great. Heres the thing with the College Program: Youre role is what you make it. You could take any role that a CP would perform and be miserable doing it, especially if you go in with a negative attitude. I could have been completely miserable doing QSFB but instead I decided that I would focus on great guest service and meeting people from all over the world. Step back and look at where you are and the opportunity youve been given. Youll have a blast.
3.) Youve made the right choice! It is definitely not a waste of your time. The opportunities that Ive been given through doing a silly semester of QSFB way back in 07 are unbelievable...this is why:
In the end this is my advice. On my first program it was a growing up experience for me. It was my first time living on my own other than in my college dorm and I decided to really live it up. I partied a little too much in my opinion and even though I made sure I had a very clean record card, I traded away most of my shifts and made just enough money to pay rent. Dont get me wrong when I was at the job I was a model cast member but I didnt take full advantage of all of the opportunities in front of me. I did become a campus rep and the marketing experience Ive gained on my resume because of it has been irreplaceable. This summer I got chosen to do the Summer Alumni program doing Merch in Downtown Disney (again because of my clean record card this is important you can work the system to your advantage as in if you want days off trade them away, its easy but dont ruin your record card by not showing up to work) and decided to get serious about Disney. I networked my butt off! I was a model cast member and took every opportunity to participate in learning new roles or shadowing. This has now led me to get a Professional Internship for this spring which ties into my major. Im graduating in a week and couldnt be happier to have a job in this economy. I got this PI because of the networking I did this summer. I now have contacts in Florida, at Disney records, at ABC good morning America Weekends, etc
that I talk to on a regular basis.
My message is: IT IS WORTH IT. Again, this is what you make it. Thankfully, I got a second opportunity to grow with the company. More advice I would give you is that the small things pay off. Youre major is finance then even if youre doing QSFB ask them to teach you the cash handling closing procedures. It pays off; your leaders take notice of your interest in learning
.and that leads to PIs.
There are many PIs in Finance so I would make that your goal. Make connections; dont be afraid to ask your leaders no matter where you work- about networking and how to extend your future at Disney for after you graduate. You would be amazed at what a simple question can do for your future. Most people are just afraid to ask for help dont be.
I hope this helps. I know I wrote you a whole essay but I wish someone would have told me these things my first time around. Let me know if you have more questions because Id love to answer them.
I personally am trying to get into the tech department, and while it basically has NO connection to the CP, it's the networking I'll get because of the CP that'll make it worth while.
