Help! Advice and encouragement needed!

[mathlady11]

My daughter has been at Vista Way since the 25th and she really hates the whole experience so far. She was so excited but she's exhausted and frustrated by everything. The busses, her trainer, her internet not working...and she's scared a lot. of not getting the right bus at the right time, not being able to do her job.

This is the third night in a row that she's said she hates it and she hopes she gets fired and sent home. She's doing custodial and this is her first night on her own. She called on her break and said she's running so late and she doesn't know how to contact her manager.

I feel torn. I don't want her to give up but I don't want her to be miserable. Any advice?

 

[glendalais]

I think it's a mix of the being away from home gitters, combined with the nervousness of a new area, new people, and a new job.

Just tell her everything will be fine, and if she need to talk to someone, to speak with her Cast Services Manager (CSM) or with the CP people, or to the other CPers, who's to say they're not feeling the same way?

If she needs to contact a Manager while working, and if she has a Company Radio with her, she can call for the Custodial Manager on Duty (MOD) to come to her location. There's probably more radio-lingo and such in there, but that's the method in a nutshell.

I would probably advise against trying to get herself fired and sent home, though. Disney is a pretty big company, and having a no-rehire status can pose problems for her in the future.

 

[csaribay]

The College Program is not for everyone, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. However, this is something pretty close to a "real world" experience... there is a sense of accomplishment and personal growth if you can successfully complete your program; it means that you are able to be fairly independent, and are able to work diligently and effectively to manage your own affairs.

Tell her to stick it out. Things are hard when you jump into a new situation, and she may not like them at first. It's like a roller coaster; she'll have to get used to everything before she's really comfortable. Like glendalais suggested, she should visit the Cast Service Manager in her area, or she can get in contact with Kelly Prezioso, the Program Cast Service Manager at Vista Way's Clubroom Thirteen501, to discuss her challenges.

As far as individual issues go:

1. Buses: It's a mass transportation system; I'm not sure if she's used to the concept of mass transport, but it's a fairly simple thing to navigate- she should always have one of the green bus schedules on her so she'll know the times. Other than that, she just needs to catch the bus that will get her to her location at least fifteen minutes prior to her scheduled start time - attempting to arrive AT your start time is generally a really bad idea.

3. Trainer: she'll need to address any concerns with her managers or her Cast Service Manager.

2. Internet access issues: she (or a roommate) needs to contact Smart City solutions at 407-938-INET for support. Occasionally the modems don't function properly and need to be replaced (which usually just takes a day), other than that, it's typically software that needs to be reconfigured.

3. "Can I really do this": everything takes time to get used to, like I said above. Tell her to give it a full month, to fully experience and give her area a fair shot.

Best of luck to you and your daughter! Just don't let her get terminated, that's a really, really foolish thing. If she needs to leave, tell her to separate herself from the company, so at least her hire status is "limited/restricted" instead of "no".

 

[crazylena]

My daughter started on the 25th too and my heart is just going out to your daughter. Were you there with her when she checked in? Did you attend the parent meeting? If not, one of the things they warned all the parents about was not to be surprised if into the 2nd and 3rd week if our child calls and expresses frustration and exhaustion.
If you think about it most of these kids have never worked that many hours before and even if they were not at Disney this would be very difficult for them. It's hard on anybody to start a new job not to mention be away from home, be put together with a bunch of people they don't know and then you throw in that Florida heat and humitity it's no wonder your DD is feeling overwhelmed.
I hope you'll be able to encourage her to stick it out. Because they also said if they can just get through those few first weeks most of the kids end up very excited and treasure their time in the program.
My daughter is definatly having overwhelming moments as well and I can tell she's pretty tired. As an overprotective mom I worry about her health which has never been the best. She's already had a case of hives since she's been down there. Tell your dd to hang in there and just take it one day at a time. I too think it would be a good idea for her to talk to someone in the program.
I will pray for your daughter that things will start to smooth out for her and that she too wil start to enjoy and grow in the program.

 

[Jules76126]

I would say to try and stay as long as possible. Leaving Disney early can affect other career paths in the future since Disney is such a large company. On the other hand I personally know what the first few days of the program can feel like. You are in a new place with new people working at a job that requires you to always be "on".

It took me a full month to fully feel comfortable on the program. The first two weeks were definitely the hardest just because everything was new. But after I month I felt much more comfortable and by the time I left in August I was already deciding when I was going to come back.

Busses: Are really not that hard to deal with once you get use to it. Generally the busses always arrive and depart at the times listed on the schedule. Usually I arrived like 5 minutes before the bus was set to arrive just in case it was there early or something. I also always took an earlier bus to work so I didnt have to worry about traffic or running to clock in at the last minute. The busses are also a great place to meet new people. Everyone is generally very friendly and in the same boat as you. I always made a point to talk to the people around me. Generally they wanted to talk just as much as I did but didnt want to start the conversation. I met plenty of friends this way.

As far as her job goes she would have to talk to her trainer. I know that when I was on the program in the Spring 2007 they did everything to make me feel welcome. I was told that if I ever had any problems to come and talk to them. They also said that they wanted me to be happy and not dreading the next seven months so if i hated my job to come and see them so something could be done about it. Im sure the same could be done for your daughter if she just talked to her trainer. I know the beginning is tough and being in custoidal by yourself is harder but it can be fixed. They dont want you to always be unhappy because that will affect your mood and the image that you project to the guests and they also dont want you to quit.

Lastly things do get better. The trick to the college program is to be outgoing. Introduce yourself to people on the bus, in your area at work, our neighbors or anywhere else. Everyone is looking for friends and once you get that balance it all becomes magically and its an experience that you dont want to leave. I would definitely tell her to wait a month and try doing the things that have been suggested. IF she is still unhappy before she quits make sure she thinks long and hard about leaving because of he rehire cicumstances but in the end its more important to be happy than miserable for months.

 

[mathlady11]

Thank you all for those words. I had told her before she left that the first month would probably be no fun, as most new jobs aren't. I appreciate the suggestions for getting help too, because now I can give her real things to try instead of just "hang in there" (although she has heard and will continue to hear that too!)

I spent the whole day on the 25th helping her move in because I had to leave that same day to come back to Ohio and teach my classes. So unfortunately I didn't get to hear the things they were telling the parents.

She did mention the radio but said they hadn't set her up with one yet. Seems weird they would send her out to do her job alone for the first time and not make help available to her. But those things happen.

Her biggest frustration with the busses is they don't seem to run to WalMart when she has time to shop. She keeps having to buy food at Walgreens. Plus I'm sure she's a little spoiled and is feeling the real constraints of mass transit for the first time.

Thank you again for the kind words and suggestions. I don't think of myself as overprotective but as a teacher I guess it's frustrating to not be able to help her solve her problems.

 

[graygables]

Just a suggestion, but she needs to be networking with her fellow CPers and find someone who is willing to make WalMart runs! My older 2 both did CPs and both had their cars, so were the go-to girls for errand-running. The passengers chipped in for gas and everyone was happy.

Hoping to get fired...she needs to adjust that attitude b/c getting fired from Disney is a VERY BAD THING.

My 20yo was NOT happy about working in Toy when she first got her assignment. "The costume is ORDINARY and UGLY!" "I want to be in a PARK!" "I don't want to do the same thing I've done the last 3 years!" (she used to work at Build a Bear). She got stuck doing Potato Head (imagine THAT one... ) Then, we had a chat about her attitude. She wound up extending and switching over to BBB for the last part of her program. THEN, she wound up moving there and staying on. She LOVES working at WDW and picks up shifts as much as she can, most especially in Toy b/c she misses it so much!

"Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock!" remind her that her job is one of the most important parts of making the parks welcoming to the guests. Walt put a very high importance on park maintenance and she is doing work that MATTERS to people.

 

[cowza]

I would assure her it's normal to find it hard at the beginning. I hated it at the beginning when I first got there. I was so distraught by everything. It was my first time in a foreign country by myself... my roomies were exactly the kind of people I didn't want to be roomed with... everyone else around me seemed to be having the time of their life... I was placed in a location I wanted the least of all... I could go on...

I couldn't really talk to my family because it took me a while to get to grips with the american cell phone system and get one set up. It was emotionally very difficult for me because while it would have been very simple for me to give in I would have wasted a lot of money and it was always my dream to work for Disney. I couldn't give in. Infact I refused to. And I didn't haha.

All I can say is to tell her there is always options if you are having difficulties. Like someone suggested... talk to cast services. The best thing for me was that I moved appartments and once I'd settled into my job I got to grips with Orlando, got to play in the parks and began having the time of my life. I met a terrific american girl within the first few days who really understood what I was going through and drove me to walmart and half a dozen other stores to get all the essential things I needed.

There's some great people in the world and as I often to say to people... even if Disney is not what you want for a career... if you make it through it will always look fantastic on your resume and employers will always want to hear about what it is you did there. It's a name recognised across the globe.

 

[SweaterInJune]

I'm sorry to hear that your DD is having a rough time. The first few weeks are definitely an adjustment period for all CPs.

The work is demanding--no matter your role! On top of specific job training, you must learn all of the Disney policies which are in place to uphold the company's high standards.

It takes patience, understanding, and perseverance. I know that if she sticks with it, keeps a positive attitude, and a sunny disposition (which sometimes requires you to just grin and bare it), then things will turn out all right in the end! She'll be glad she stuck with it.

Also, I think it's rare that a CP goes out for their first day(s) solo and actually feels 100% prepared...I didn't feel anywhere close to that! I don't know anyone else who did either.

Please make sure she knows, as others have stated, that hoping for termination will only lead to it--and that would be a grave misfortune! It won't blacklist you only from employment with Walt Disney parks, but ALL DISNEY-owned companies!

If she really is miserable after a month or so, perhaps the program really isn't a good match for her. Then, and only then, should you allow her to consider self-termination.

As for the busses, make sure she has a schedule(available in the offices at the complexes if not). She should try to take the bus that gets her to work before the last bust that could get her there on time--at least for the first couple of weeks. This helps reduce any anxiety. She can also take the Publix bus to get groceries. Once she gets out and meets more people, someone is certain to be willing to take her. She shouldn't be afraid to ask a new friend! I had many people ask me during my program...we made it a weekly ritual...

Good luck to you both and hope things are looking up for her in the coming weeks! I think she'll find the CP to be the time of her life!

 

[CelebrationNM]

Great advice here from everybody…I agree with sticking it out, even if these next seven months do end up being the most miserable of her entire life. (They won’t). Her role is challenging, on top of the stress of adjusting to a completely different lifestyle. It’s the rare person that doesn’t have these adjustment anxieties, even if they show it differently.

One little anecdote about the custodial role: I’ve had jobs where I did occasional custodial work, and I got frustrated when people used the facilities as I was trying to clean them. A few weeks ago I asked my friend, who does custodial and loves it, how she deals with that. She told me “I don’t know, I just talk to the people while they’re washing their hands or coming or going…ask them how they’re doing, how their day is…and I like that.” So there I was, cussing them out in my head, and here she is, asking them how their day is going. After that conversation a few weeks ago, I made a point to change how I interact with guests when I’m doing routine frontline work and it made a difference. So, remind your daughter to have some fun while she’s working… it pays the same either way and there's nothing like making a kid smile, and making a new friend.
Best of luck,
nick

 

[mathlady11]

Well she picked up her check and spent her day off at MK and Epcot today and she sounds like she's in MUCH better spirits. She has finally gotten a taste of what she really went there for.

I will pass along your advice and suggestions in the next few days. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Joanna71985]

I know how she feels. I did custodial for my third CP, and I was miserable (tired all the time, sore feet, ect). I even had thoughts about quitting. However, I was able to pull through. Glad to hear she is doing better.

 

[fmrcp06]

I could talk forever about this EXTREMELY COMMON issue you find with CPs....

I too was doubting my decision after a few weeks of being down there. It's tough work, and even if you've spent a few years working there really is no way to prepare yourself for working for Disney. I surrounded myself with amazing friends while I was down there and you help each other push through. When you go home, you are ready, but a month or so later you are missing it!

IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME. I don't think that this really hits home until you are home, and have completed the program. You've pushed yourself so hard the past few months and it is so incredible rewarding. The program opens many opportunities for you if you complete it.

I came home, and became a campus rep at my college. I was able to spread the good word about the program, get people excited to be a part of it, and keep all of my Disney perks! It was so wonderful to be able to talk to people about the program, attend my school presentation, and mentor the newly accepted CPs!

Now, I'm in the middle of management interviews for their Professional Internship program.

Disney wants you to grow. They want you to be a part of their family, and they want you to learn from the bottom up. I don't think that anyone can truly understand what it takes to make the magic unless they've been a CP. Disney knows this is the case, and so they will hold onto you and help you grow.

There are endless possiblities within the company - ABC, ESPN, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney..... the list goes on.

So, if any CP needs encouragement - just let them know about their future opportunities. There is not a single person I talk to about my experience with Disney that doesn't smile, and want to talk about this wonderful company!

 

[disneychickforever]

Whatever she does, try to avoid quitting the CP!

My first program, I was not having a good time, I'd call home crying just wanting to leave because I had really bad anxiety. I was PRAYING to get to leave early

Now, don't say prayers can't be answered, because then, I hurt my knee in my kitchen.

Now at the time, I was still a little homesick, but I realized I didn't want to leave...the thing was, I had no choice. I needed to go home to get treatment on my knee.

Leaving my CP after a month was the WORSE thing I could've ever done. I regret it everyday, and am currently trying to get my restricted rehire lifted so I can go back. If I do get in, I won't be leaving for anything. I know it's really hard to stick it out, especially if she is shy like I was. But it's just something you have to do....

The CP is an amazing experience that I feel everyone should have. It teaches you about the real world without being permanently thrown into it, which I feel is important. Try doing the myriads of activities they have set up for CPs! Like the pool parties and grocery bingo! I missed out on doing all of that too on my first CP and regret it.

 

[cowza]

Totally agree... you whine a lot when you are there but when you get home... boy would you do anything to be back there in that bubble!!