Full-time positions

[Sam23]

What do you have to do to get a full-time position after your internship with Disney? Since my Professional Internship last year, I've applied and been rejected probably 8 times. I have all the qualifications in listing. I understand it's competitive, but I'm surprised I can't even get one interview after having a recent PI. Does anyone have any tips?

 

[lennyd]

Don't stop follow your dream . Keep plugging away it will eventually happen

 

[SureAsLiz]

Most people that I know who continued on full-time after their PI either stayed with the same team, or were directed to a similar one by their managers.

In my experience, entry-level positions don't tend to be posted for general recruitment - the team already has someone for the position but has to go through the formality of posting it online so the individual can officially apply.

The best thing you can do is to continue to be in contact with leaders from your PI and let them know you are still interested in working for Disney, and ask that they keep you in mind if they hear of any potential openings.

 

[wilkeliza]

You may have to go in as PT and then try to move up. It honestly sucks but every single CM I know who got full time did it that way. Most had their full time at the 6 month mark since moving with in the company to full time is easier than getting hired at full time.

You can also do as PP said. Get in contact with your management team and let them know you are interested in coming back.

Also since it seems you aren't even getting interviews do you know if you left your PI in good standings? Was there anything on your record card that might be kicking you out of the pool?

 

[SureAsLiz]

You may have to go in as PT and then try to move up

This is always something I'm hesitant to suggest for those wanting to be on the corporate side of things (which I'm guessing OP is), but maybe you have a different perspective than I do.

It's not unheard of for front line cast to move into a corporate job, but I don't think it's as common as people want to believe it is. The only people I know who've made the move did so through a PI. When my PI was ending and we were waiting on budget approval for a FT position for me, my manager briefly suggested temporarily working in the parks to bridge the gap between program end and new position approval, but that was only because this position was being created for me - it wasn't meant to be done while applying for any position and hoping I could move back into an corporate job.

When going for a corporate job, relevant experience is, I believe, more important that Disney experience. If you can't find a job here, go out and get experience in your field, and try again in a few years.

 

[wilkeliza]

This is always something I'm hesitant to suggest for those wanting to be on the corporate side of things (which I'm guessing OP is), but maybe you have a different perspective than I do.

It's not unheard of for front line cast to move into a corporate job, but I don't think it's as common as people want to believe it is. The only people I know who've made the move did so through a PI. When my PI was ending and we were waiting on budget approval for a FT position for me, my manager briefly suggested temporarily working in the parks to bridge the gap between program end and new position approval, but that was only because this position was being created for me - it wasn't meant to be done while applying for any position and hoping I could move back into an corporate job.

When going for a corporate job, relevant experience is, I believe, more important that Disney experience. If you can't find a job here, go out and get experience in your field, and try again in a few years.

Ah I didn't assume coorporate. I was talking in the parks. Most of the PI's I was close with (and tried to get myself) were parks based so attractions management, merchandise management, entertainment management, and then tech crew. Sadly didn't get a PI but everyone I know who was on the Guest Relations PIs or management PIs had to go back to a parks position and then after 6 months were able to move into something else. Most of them are now management at the resorts or in GR still but do the tours and such as well.

For coorporate it is rediculously hard. My friend did the design PI and was not kept after. She didn't hear from the company for a year even though she was applying for anything under the product design line. She finally heard back and all they had to offer was a contract employee position through a 3rd party. So she designs stuff that is sold at the Parks and designs even ride and land specific merch and doesn't actually work for Disney. They keep telling her she'll be moved into a yellow shoes position but instead keep extending her contract.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Ah I didn't assume coorporate. I was talking in the parks. Most of the PI's I was close with (and tried to get myself) were parks based so attractions management, merchandise management, entertainment management, and then tech crew. Sadly didn't get a PI but everyone I know who was on the Guest Relations PIs or management PIs had to go back to a parks position and then after 6 months were able to move into something else. Most of them are now management at the resorts or in GR still but do the tours and such as well.

For coorporate it is rediculously hard. My friend did the design PI and was not kept after. She didn't hear from the company for a year even though she was applying for anything under the product design line. She finally heard back and all they had to offer was a contract employee position through a 3rd party. So she designs stuff that is sold at the Parks and designs even ride and land specific merch and doesn't actually work for Disney. They keep telling her she'll be moved into a yellow shoes position but instead keep extending her contract.

That makes sense if your PI is parks based. I have a friend who finishes her park based PI on Saturday, and starts Sunday in a related park role, so it totally makes sense there. Her current goals are also park based (Guest Relations), so she is set up for the correct path.


OP, if you don't mind sharing, what kind of role are you looking to go into? I'm FT in a corporate position that I moved into after my PI. I don't know how much help it will be, but understanding your path may help with some suggestions/observations

 

[SMD]

I live in So Cal, I know about 10 current non-park employees but have known a lot more. I don't know a single one who started their career with Disney. They were all recruited from other companies, and in some cases left Disney and were recruited back into higher positions. I also don't know any who really think they're going to spend the rest of their career there. You really have to know the company you're going to work for, how they do most of their hiring and what kind of turnover they really have.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My son completed his PI and was offered full time last summer. He had been selected for CP when he was offered the PI, so they told him he could continue on the CP when his PI ended. He worked CP for about two or three weeks while they worked out the details of his full time offer and then went full time. His PI program didn't hire any PIs this summer at all. The PIs he knew from last Fall and this past Spring were either not offered any full time or offered contract work after they completed their PI. I think employment in the corporate jobs are a bit tight with Shanghai going on now.

 

[luvmyfam444]

That makes sense if your PI is parks based. I have a friend who finishes her park based PI on Saturday, and starts Sunday in a related park role, so it totally makes sense there. Her current goals are also park based (Guest Relations), so she is set up for the correct path.


OP, if you don't mind sharing, what kind of role are you looking to go into? I'm FT in a corporate position that I moved into after my PI. I don't know how much help it will be, but understanding your path may help with some suggestions/observations

Will Disney consider anyone without a college degree? Ever position I clicked on required one. My Dh has been in retail management 9yrs, and prior to that food management for about 10 years. So a decent amount of experience. But only an A.A. Degree.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I live in So Cal, I know about 10 current non-park employees but have known a lot more. I don't know a single one who started their career with Disney. They were all recruited from other companies, and in some cases left Disney and were recruited back into higher positions.

I'll break the trend that I see being expressed in this thread

I did a CP, then went part time in my area (AK Main Entrance), then became Full Time in Attractions about 4 weeks later (I had put in for FT before the end of my CP, my manager needed a few cast to bridge the CP gap, and I think she knew that I would be FT within a month).

I worked my way up in Attractions ... trainer, relief coordinator, statused coordinator, then moved over to resorts, and started as a concierge, then became a trainer, and back office, and a relief FSA (coordinator) then statused FSA. Then I ended up on a TA to a project team, and from there, moved into IT, where I am now. Never had a PI, or worked for any company other than Disney since graduation. (my CP was the semester after I graduated).

Granted, my CP was in 2004, and I didn't end up in IT until 2012, so it took me 8 years to work my way up into a corporate position, but it IS possible to do it.