DD graduating college in May, would like to work at Disney

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Hi all!

Any suggestions for my DD, who's graduating in May from UCF and would love a job in the Orlando area. We're from MA, but she has made friends at school and wants to stay in the area after graduation. She's a Hospitality minor and would love to work in one of the Disney hotels or resort restaurants. She didn't do the CP during school though. Does she have any hope of getting a job as a college graduate? She said the only jobs on the website were housekeeping. Any suggestions from you kids already working for Disney? She's familiar with the parks, resorts, etc. as she's visited many times.

Thanks for the help!

 

[figmentfan6]

All jobs open and available at Disney can be found at www.disneycareers.com. She should, however, apply to the CP. Since she's graduating in May, she's still eligible for the program and it's her best bet of getting her foot in the door.

HOWEVER. Make sure she tells them that she is only interested in the following roles: Hospitality, Concierge, Full-Service Food and Beverage (it is not guaranteed that she will be at a restaurant in a hotel, however, but you mentioned working at one), Bell Services, and Housekeeping. With the exception of FSFB, these are the only roles which are exclusively in the Disney Hotels. Merchandise and QSFB are in the hotels as well, but again it's no guarantee.

Once she does the CP, she can request to be Full-Time. This will be a much more likely successful path than applying for FT jobs straight away. Tell her to look over the roles listed above and only agree to take the ones she feels will be of help to her. I only agreed to three roles when I applied, and ended up with my top choice, so she isn't dooming herself by only agreeing t accept certain roles.

 

[Berlioz70]

She should apply on-line for a regular front-line role. Even though she may not be interested in Housekeeping, it will give her a great overview of resort life and will help her long term if she is interested in Leadership.

Tell her to just hold on for 6 months then put in for a transfer... she can put in to transfer to 2 locations (assuming she keeps her record card clean). After 6 months, she'll have a good idea where she'd be interested in going. I recommend Concierge; which is considered a promotion so she may not have to wait the required 6 months to put her name on the list.

Concierge is probably her first goal, as that will give her a great overview of resort life as well. Unfortunately, Concierge is pretty competitive so she wouldn't be able to get it as a new hire, which is why getting any job will get her foot in the door then she'll be able to transfer in.

I'm new to Concierge, but everyone in my training group was an internal transfer and have all been with the company at least 15 months... so warn her to be patient.

 

[figmentfan6]

She should apply on-line for a regular front-line role. Even though she may not be interested in Housekeeping, it will give her a great overview of resort life and will help her long term if she is interested in Leadership.

Tell her to just hold on for 6 months then put in for a transfer... she can put in to transfer to 2 locations (assuming she keeps her record card clean). After 6 months, she'll have a good idea where she'd be interested in going. I recommend Concierge; which is considered a promotion so she may not have to wait the required 6 months to put her name on the list.

Concierge is probably her first goal, as that will give her a great overview of resort life as well. Unfortunately, Concierge is pretty competitive so she wouldn't be able to get it as a new hire, which is why getting any job will get her foot in the door then she'll be able to transfer in.

I'm new to Concierge, but everyone in my training group was an internal transfer and have all been with the company at least 15 months... so warn her to be patient.

I was a Concierge in the CP and a couple of my fellow CPs stayed on full-time. In her position, the CP might be the fastest way for her to possibly get up to Concierge.

Looking at the Housekeeping listing on the website, if she just graduated I don't think she'll have the preferred experience they're looking for. What role did you start out in?

 

[Berlioz70]

My thinking is that if she is able to start now, she'll start accruing Senority/Benefits... whereas if she does the CP, her senority wouldn't start until next Jan, if she is lucky enough to get FT immediately following her program. I always recommend the CP for those needing housing, or wanting to test out the company, but since she already lives here, there's not much advantage to the program outside of the social side.

There is a lot of movement in Resorts right now, thanks to DAAR, so the iron is a little hotter now than it has been in the past for Front Desk and Concierge opportunities.

I started with the company in Entertainment as a Character Performer. But I also came to the company with my Masters in hand, and learned quickly a degree means very little. Disney cares more about paying your dues than a piece of paper. To be honest, I actually respect the company more for that and have had no problem working those front-line roles to get a well rounded experience.

The most important networking advice I've heard (from a Resort GM) is to play in EVERY line a business while you can, because those with a greater variety of expierences will advance quicker once in Leadership. Concierge is my 5th LOB in the last 3.5 years.

 

[Dreamer87]

Tell her to just hold on for 6 months then put in for a transfer... she can put in to transfer to 2 locations (assuming she keeps her record card clean). After 6 months, she'll have a good idea where she'd be interested in going. I recommend Concierge; which is considered a promotion so she may not have to wait the required 6 months to put her name on the list.

Is any position considered under park operations eligible for transfer? For instance, could you go from housekeeping to attractions, or does it have to be within the same relative category?

 

[abigailcathy]

She's a Hospitality minor and would love to work in one of the Disney hotels or resort restaurants.

 

[DisKate]

My thinking is that if she is able to start now, she'll start accruing Senority/Benefits... whereas if she does the CP, her senority wouldn't start until next Jan, if she is lucky enough to get FT immediately following her program. I always recommend the CP for those needing housing, or wanting to test out the company, but since she already lives here, there's not much advantage to the program outside of the social side.

There is a lot of movement in Resorts right now, thanks to DAAR, so the iron is a little hotter now than it has been in the past for Front Desk and Concierge opportunities.

I started with the company in Entertainment as a Character Performer. But I also came to the company with my Masters in hand, and learned quickly a degree means very little. Disney cares more about paying your dues than a piece of paper. To be honest, I actually respect the company more for that and have had no problem working those front-line roles to get a well rounded experience.

The most important networking advice I've heard (from a Resort GM) is to play in EVERY line a business while you can, because those with a greater variety of expierences will advance quicker once in Leadership. Concierge is my 5th LOB in the last 3.5 years.

We are considering moving to Orlando in August/September. Any advice as to when we should start applying? It seems like it doesn't really matter what role you start in, it's all about getting a foot in the door correct? Any advice on where to look for apartments as well? Sorry to hi-jack, trying to figure out if moving is right for us is making me a bit crazy.

 

[photographymom517]

We are considering moving to Orlando in August/September. Any advice as to when we should start applying? It seems like it doesn't really matter what role you start in, it's all about getting a foot in the door correct? Any advice on where to look for apartments as well? Sorry to hi-jack, trying to figure out if moving is right for us is making me a bit crazy.

Hey you!

I've heard to stay away from Pine Hills. My friend & her family lives down near Orlando & they said it isn't a good area.

Windermere is a good area as well as some place near Lake Bryan -- but of course the name slips my mind right now! I'll try to remember for you!

I'll text you more about this later! Just saw this post & wanted to let you know before I forgot! Plus I figured other posters may have more to say about my suggestions!

(Oh and btw -- of course I think August/September is excellent timing! )

 

[Traveliz]

We are considering moving to Orlando in August/September. Any advice as to when we should start applying? It seems like it doesn't really matter what role you start in, it's all about getting a foot in the door correct? Any advice on where to look for apartments as well? Sorry to hi-jack, trying to figure out if moving is right for us is making me a bit crazy.

I wouldn't apply until you are there and ready to work. They typically want to see a FL address on the applications and they want you ready to work when they call...or shortly thereafter. Positions listed under careers would be a little bit different as those are more about sending your resume in and going through the interview process.

How much are you looking to spend on an apt?

Liz

 

[DisKate]

I wouldn't apply until you are there and ready to work. They typically want to see a FL address on the applications and they want you ready to work when they call...or shortly thereafter. Positions listed under careers would be a little bit different as those are more about sending your resume in and going through the interview process.

How much are you looking to spend on an apt?

Liz

Hi! We are looking in the $800-$1000 range. I'd love any advice on how to fid positions to apply for. I've been looking on Disney careers, is there another place to be looking for jobs at?

 

[Traveliz]

Hi! We are looking in the $800-$1000 range. I'd love any advice on how to fid positions to apply for. I've been looking on Disney careers, is there another place to be looking for jobs at?

You will be fine in the 800-1000 range.

Are you looking for an attractions/food/hotel/lifeguard type job to start or something different (office, IT, etc)

Liz

 

[JaimeNacole]

Hi! We are looking in the $800-$1000 range. I'd love any advice on how to fid positions to apply for. I've been looking on Disney careers, is there another place to be looking for jobs at?

From prior experience in the same situation taking a position in a field that you’re not thrilled about will lead you to that dream job I have worked in 3 departments and my favorite out of all of that was the department that I said I would never work in (custodial) once with the company there is always room to advance and move up I recommend Disney Careers with a clear open mind

 

[DisKate]

I have both a BS and a MS in Arts Admin, but right now I just really want to work for Disney and am willing to start where ever and work my way up.

 

[DisKate]

And sorry I've been MIA. We went to Disney May17-27 and looked at places to live while there and found one we like! We're hoping to finalize everything in the next 2-3 weeks and will be moving mid-August!!!!

 

[taythegibs]

what Apartment complex are you looking at now?

 

[DisKate]

what Apartment complex are you looking at now?

We are actually going to be renting in Celebration. We are waiting to finalize things on a house in the next couple of weeks. (and if for some reason that falls through we looked at some condos as backup). My DBF's mother decided that she wants to rent in Celebration to see if she wants to buy there, so instead of us renting somewhere and her renting in Celebration we are going to share.

 

[ohsnapxitsamanda]

I just completed the CP in May, and one of my best friends stayed on at Disney. She went to Casting and put her name on several lists for several different positions, including concierge. Just a note, that list is currently a 5 YEAR waiting list. Granted, I have another friend from my CP who was concierge on the program, and he got offered a FT position right after the program ended. I know in his case, it was because he already had that experience. But for someone coming in who hasn't worked with Disney before, it's going to take a while to move up in the company. But, Disney does like to hire from within, so apply for whatever you can find that's closest to what you want to do, and work your way up. Keep going to Casting and checking the website for job openings.

And also know that the more experience you have in an area, the more likely you will be to get that higher position. It'll take a while, and it'll take a lot of work. But, it'll be worth it.

 

[houseofmouse89]

V

 

[ohsnapxitsamanda]

Hey you!

I've heard to stay away from Pine Hills. My friend & her family lives down near Orlando & they said it isn't a good area.

Windermere is a good area as well as some place near Lake Bryan -- but of course the name slips my mind right now! I'll try to remember for you!

I'll text you more about this later! Just saw this post & wanted to let you know before I forgot! Plus I figured other posters may have more to say about my suggestions!

(Oh and btw -- of course I think August/September is excellent timing! )

I lived in the Little Lake Bryan area during my CP, and I loved it. There are 2 other apartment complexes in the area that aren't CPs only, so it's an option. It's a really nice area, about 15 minutes from Disney (if that). It's close to Publix, the outlets, Walgreens, several gas stations, and 535. Oh, and a fire station. And it's so pretty, too.