Disney Careers/Contacts

[Fantasmic303]

Hey DIS!!

I'm hoping someone here can help me, because I'm at my wit's end.

I graduated from college with a degree in Communications last year, focusing my studies on English and Public Relations. I am currently an administrative assistant at a family mental health clinic, and I have experience with everything from star-studded celebrity events to charity work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as time in a third-grade classroom and retail experience. I've dabbled in a bit of everything, extracting skills from everywhere.

This is the problem:

For EVER, I've wanted to work for Disney. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and the fact that everyone I encounter constantly echoes the phrase "why aren't you working for DISNEY?" reiterates the idea that I'm meant to be there. Somehow.

I've tried several times to contact someone to send my resume and cover letter to, but to no avail. If anyone here has any addresses, names, emails...ANYTHING...that they could share so that I may contact someone who could help, please let me know. I have scoured the Disney Careers website, but it's scarce in job opportunities, and I'm particularly interested in Disney Company positions in New York City.

My focus, as I said, has been Public Relations, but I am also interested in production, writing for shows, scrubbing toilets, anything. I just want to get my foot in the door and work from there. I'm eager to take on new roles, and my unconventional experience makes me a good candidate (I believe) for almost anything they could train me for.

Beyond the education and experience, however, my heart is with Disney...I believe it's where the rest of me should be, too.

I thank you in advance for any help - pixie dust always welcome as well!!



Fantasmic303@aol.com

 

[Dodie]

I don't have an answer for you, but do have some advice. I work in Human Resources for a very large, global company too. I believe that the Disney Co. does most of their HR functions similarly to ours.

The best way to be considered is to complete their online resume. Their system constantly searches that for keywords and "hits" that match jobs that are available and then contacts you via e-mail if they find a match.

The days of "sending" your hard-copy resume to someone or using a contact inside to get in the door are pretty much over in large corporations.

 

[Fantasmic303]

Thanks for the reply, Dodie!! Always good to hear from an "expert"!

I actually did submit an electronic resume to Disney a while ago (several times actually, tweaking things) and have yet to hear about anything. While the system may make it easier to weed out appropriate candidates, I'd like to find a way to get a hard copy and cover letter in there somewhere too!!

Question though: Do you have any advice as far as "follow-up" goes with this new system? That's one of the reasons I'd like someone to contact at Disney - just to make sure my resume is in their database correctly.

I guess I'll just have to hope for some extra happy thoughts and pixie dust to make this work!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

If you were looking for something in the Florida area I would have suggested for you to find a way to get in contact with someone already working in a management position at the parks.

I believe many Disney personel are always on the lookout for Disney-quality workers........it never hurts to make connections either.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'd be curious what ends up working for you..and where YOU end up!

 

[Fantasmic303]

Thanks for the happy thoughts, HauntedMansionGeek!


I sent out a few resumes this morning to random Disney-related addresses I found scouring the web. I spent all night tweaking my cover letter to demonstrate just interested I am in any opportunity to learn from, so let's hope the pixie dust brings a phone call soon!!!

(And you know what? I actually considered finding some position in WDW, but decided against it - why? Because then where would I vacation!??! )

 

[DoeWDW]

Ummm.....Disneyland Paris......Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.......Disneyland & DCA in Anaheim......the Disney Cruise.......oh the fun never ends!!

I'm sure you could find somewhere suitable to go....LOL! I'd get my foot in the door in Florida if I were you, although I'm no expert.

Hubby and I plan to retire, move to Florida and work for Disney to earn a little extra money and enjoy being castmembers!

Best of luck! Sending happy thoughts and pixie dust your way! Please keep us posted!

 

[PamOKW]

I'm particularly interested in Disney Company positions in New York City.

Disney has many businesses including movie studios, publishing houses, and the ABC Network. All of these have offices in New York. Get a copy of the Disney Annual Report (it's on-line) and look through it. This could help expand your options in the New York area. If you want to work for Disney as defined by the theme parks, your best bet is to look for work in Florida. Your degree and experience could have you working in the administrative end or you could try to get work in the various resorts/convention centers.

I know you want to keep your options open but, in your own mind at least, get a picture of what you really want to do. Do you want to be a scriptwriter? Do you want to be in public relations? Are you interested in management? Whatever appeals to you. Then try to refine your search and your resume (you can have multiple resumes) and go for it. See if there are any alumni that work for Disney companies and ask for their advice, too.

If this is what you really want to pursue, do it now. Life has a way of creeping up on you.

 

[Fantasmic303]

Again, thanks for the help and advice, everyone!!

Pam - great advice about the Annual Report! I started navigating through it this morning and, while I didn't find addresses or contact information, I DID have the chance to check out the bio and history of many of the executives at Disney. It's given me some things to think about as far as entry-level options and how to get from "here" to "there."

I think I seriously need career counseling though, lol. I thought about how you suggested refining my interests, and though I can check management off the list (I'm not a take charge kind of person...much more the "throw the idea out there" or "help build the idea" type person), I'm torn between something like script writing or PR. I'm addicted to the adrenaline that comes with special events and helping things happen (ie - making wishes come true!), but writing is my true love. Decisions, decisions...

*edit: Nevermind - found the ad campaign info*

Thanks again for the advice though - I'll have to spent part of this weekend tweaking the resume and checking out the options!!


PS - Doe, your retirement plans sound perfect to me!! If I wasn't looking forward to plenty of WDW vacations (some with my own potential children) I might consider fast-forwarding 40 years to live that life myself!!

 

[catherine]

Originally posted by Fantasmic303

For EVER, I've wanted to work for Disney. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and the fact that everyone I encounter constantly echoes the phrase "why aren't you working for DISNEY?" reiterates the idea that I'm meant to be there. Somehow.
Fantasmic303@aol.com

I'm not trying to put a damper on your enthusiasm. I just want to let you know about my BIL's experience of working for Disney. When I read your post it reminded me very much of him. He was the biggest Disney fan I have know. His dream had always been to work for Disney. Well his dream came true.

My BIL got a job working for Disney in Anaheim as a software producer, he had a lot of experience and has procuded a lot of the biggest computer games going. Anyway when he got the job he was told that he would have to move as his commute was too long (90 mins, he lived in San Diego county) so he had to sell his house and move closer. As a result of this his wife also had to change her job. Anyway bottom line is after less than 6 months Disney made him redundant, apparently they had decided to re-structure the dept. where he worked and as he was the last man in he was the first man out.

Anyway I hope that things work out for you and you get to live your dream.

Good luck

 

[Disney Princess 6]

.........................................................

 

[Fantasmic303]

Thanks for the pearls of wisdom and the doses of reality.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with a Disney dream, and glad as well to realize that I may not be doing anything wrong with my approach so far.

The weird thing is, I'm very picky about who I "want" to work for, which is so bad, I'll admit. I have like 5 biggies that I dream of, and I almost don't consider anything else. A couple of months ago, I actually passed up on an offer from one of those 5 for personal reasons, and even though I stand by that decision now, I kinda base my dream on that. If one can come true, there's no reason any of the others can't as well.

In the time being, I'll just continue sending out the resumes and looking for opportunities. I actually have a lot of non-profit experience and am currently exploring the "DisneyHand" department in New York.

For me, I've got a few back up "worst case" scenarios that don't sound so bad to me:

* Apply for the first position with Make-A-Wish that comes available (I've had the time of my life there, and, next to Disney, making wishes come true is as magical as it gets!)

* Pursue my writing (a novel, in the process right now), publish a best seller, and sell the rights to Disney

*Just keep on truckin' with all of these until my Disney dreams come true.

And Disney Princess? I wouldn't mind the course you've taken, either...true, Sea World isn't Disney, but I'm sure it's got it's own brand of magic, and, more importantly, you've got a family to market Disney to now!! Who knows - when you go back to work, perhaps you can take Disney by storm!! (And then you can offer me an interview....)


Thanks again, guys!!