January 2009 PI Applicants

[jeff318]

I just got an email to set up a second interview for another PI (DVC sales assistant)... so that's tomorrow at noon!

 

[Validee]

Hey all! My name is Valerie and I'm currently double majoring in General Biology and Fine Arts, with a minor in Biochemistry. Keeps me busy, so I love it.

I applied (a bit last minute) for both the Epcot Entomology and Plant Science internships for this coming Spring. It was a rush, but I got everything in. I came here looking or some advice and insight in regards to the science internships, but so far I haven't noticed anybody mention these positions yet. Hopefully I'm not the only science nerd here! I'd definitely appreciate if somebody with knowledge (direct or second hand) could share anything. I'm super pumped even though I haven't heard back about an interview yet.

I admit that I was a bit nervous when reading here about how the College Program is a requirement for the Professional Internships, since I've never even knew such a thing existed. But I looked into it and luckily it's not for the ones I applied for. Phew!

Anyway, enough about that. Question time. Reliable transportation shouldn't be a problem for me, but I'd like to avoid having a car if I could. Is this possible? Are there any bus systems? Would you recommend having a car anyway?

Thanks and good luck to everyone interviewing and waiting!

 

[americangeiko]

Hey all! My name is Valerie and I'm currently double majoring in General Biology and Fine Arts, with a minor in Biochemistry. Keeps me busy, so I love it.

I applied (a bit last minute) for both the Epcot Entomology and Plant Science internships for this coming Spring. It was a rush, but I got everything in. I came here looking or some advice and insight in regards to the science internships, but so far I haven't noticed anybody mention these positions yet. Hopefully I'm not the only science nerd here! I'd definitely appreciate if somebody with knowledge (direct or second hand) could share anything. I'm super pumped even though I haven't heard back about an interview yet.

I admit that I was a bit nervous when reading here about how the College Program is a requirement for the Professional Internships, since I've never even knew such a thing existed. But I looked into it and luckily it's not for the ones I applied for. Phew!

Anyway, enough about that. Question time. Reliable transportation shouldn't be a problem for me, but I'd like to avoid having a car if I could. Is this possible? Are there any bus systems? Would you recommend having a car anyway?

Thanks and good luck to everyone interviewing and waiting!

I've heard for a lot of the Science and Animal based Internships that the CP isn't necessary.

I'd recommend having a car for the PI even though there are buses that will take you each park because a lot of what's in Orlando isn't always on main drags, and the bus system is decent, but I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[vin1215]

I have an in person interview tomorrow for DVC Sales assistant. I am also doing a shadow tomorrow as well..Still hoping to hear back on the marketing strategy position tho.

 

[Validee]

I've heard for a lot of the Science and Animal based Internships that the CP isn't necessary.

I'd recommend having a car for the PI even though there are buses that will take you each park because a lot of what's in Orlando isn't always on main drags, and the bus system is decent, but I wouldn't rely on it.

Yeah, I didn't understand why it would be since none of the CPs I saw seemed even somewhat related to science. I'm very relieved, though, since I saw some people saying on other forums that their applications weren't even considered since they weren't a CP alumni.

If I can get by without having a car, I think I will. I'm just wondering if it's common or generally frowned upon.

 

[bridgetzoe]

For those of you who applied for the Event Assistant at MK, I've been hearing that Disney sent out emails saying it was cancelled. Can anyone verify that? I never got an email about it being cancelled and it's still up on my workbench.

Good luck to everyone with their second interviews!!

 

[Mallory Lu]

Yeah, I didn't understand why it would be since none of the CPs I saw seemed even somewhat related to science. I'm very relieved, though, since I saw some people saying on other forums that their applications weren't even considered since they weren't a CP alumni.

If I can get by without having a car, I think I will. I'm just wondering if it's common or generally frowned upon.

Welcome to the board!
About having a car...in all the interviews I have had they have told me that I am required to provide my own transportation. There is a disney bus system that runs for the CPs, but they are living in special CP apartments and the apartment for PIs (northbridge) is not included in this bus route. And a majority of PIs do not even live in disney housing. So, if you are taking a bus to and from work every day, you would need to use the city bus system, which I don't know if thats necessarily efficient depending on where you are going to be living. As far as walking or biking to Epcot, there really isn't any housing nearby that would accommodate that.

And about doing a CP...I never did a CP and was still accepted for my PI last spring. Probably a majority of PIs in my department (DEG) did not do CPs even though it said they were required on the application.

Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[Mickey85Disney]

I have heard that the events at the MK was cancelled but I also never got an email about it and its still up on my profile too.

All of mine are still up so does that mean I am not out of the running for any of them?? Do they take them off when you are out of the running?

 

[Validee]

Welcome to the board!
About having a car...in all the interviews I have had they have told me that I am required to provide my own transportation. There is a disney bus system that runs for the CPs, but they are living in special CP apartments and the apartment for PIs (northbridge) is not included in this bus route. And a majority of PIs do not even live in disney housing. So, if you are taking a bus to and from work every day, you would need to use the city bus system, which I don't know if thats necessarily efficient depending on where you are going to be living. As far as walking or biking to Epcot, there really isn't any housing nearby that would accommodate that.

And about doing a CP...I never did a CP and was still accepted for my PI last spring. Probably a majority of PIs in my department (DEG) did not do CPs even though it said they were required on the application.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Thanks for the welcome and information.

A shame about the bus system, then. Do most PIs not live in the apartments by choice or because there isn't enough room?

 

[americangeiko]

Yeah, I didn't understand why it would be since none of the CPs I saw seemed even somewhat related to science. I'm very relieved, though, since I saw some people saying on other forums that their applications weren't even considered since they weren't a CP alumni.

If I can get by without having a car, I think I will. I'm just wondering if it's common or generally frowned upon.

A lot of the CPs have nothing to do with the PIs. Often you'll be lucky if you can get a CP that even relates to your major. I'm a Film Arts Student, but I did a Merchandising CP because that's what they cast me in.

Most of the PIs require that you've previously done the CP because Disney loves to hire people who've already worked for them, and considering how grueling the CP is for many people, about 50% don't complete the program, I can understand why though. As with the internet, you don't know what you're getting, but if someone has worked for you before, then you have a really good idea of what you're getting yourself into.

As someone who's currently car-less, I'm looking to get a car just because during my CP I found out just how hard things would be for me if I didn't have the CP bus transportation to rely upon. WDW's property is HUGE, and the nearest grocery stores, wal-mart, etc are WAAAYYY off property.

I only knew of one FT person who took the public bus, and she had to leave her house 2 hrs early every day to take it, which can be really difficult when you consider that you might be required to be at work at 7am or earlier depending on what your role is.

 

[Mrs.CptnJackSparrow]

I got an email this morning to set up a second interview for the f&b management PI! I had applied for ops management as well but haven't heard anything back about that yet. The interviews aren't for a couple weeks though and they said expect it to be about an hour long...what on earth am I going to talk about in an hour long interview.

I haven't heard from ops either.. are you going to be there for the interview or are you doing a phone interview? I highly doubt that it will be an hour long.. everyone that I have spoken with has said that their interviews were super short. Mine is on the 20th!

I got an email today to schedule a face-to-face interview for ops management! so maybe you'll hear soon or they might think you are more suited for a certain role.

 

[Mrs.CptnJackSparrow]

Thanks for the welcome and information.

A shame about the bus system, then. Do most PIs not live in the apartments by choice or because there isn't enough room?

Im a current PI and Northbridge is terrible! We all choose our own apartments/townhouses so we can have our own room! because at Northbridge you have to share. and also NB is super far... about a 30 to 45 minute drive. So for the same price or cheaper you can find one much closer!

 

[CFL]

I got an email today to schedule a face-to-face interview for ops management! so maybe you'll hear soon or they might think you are more suited for a certain role.

That might be the case f&b is my first choice and I think that I am more qualified for it.

 

[Validee]

Im a current PI and Northbridge is terrible! We all choose our own apartments/townhouses so we can have our own room! because at Northbridge you have to share. and also NB is super far... about a 30 to 45 minute drive. So for the same price or cheaper you can find one much closer!

Wow, I wasn't expecting that at all. Thanks for the heads up. That's quite a drive. How much closer can you get? Are there any places or areas you would suggest staying or to avoid? Where did you look?

 

[CFL]

I know a few people mentioned alexandria-parc vue, I live there now and am very happy with it however I did need to sign a 12 month lease

 

[Validee]

Does that mean you have to live there/pay rent for an entire year? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I've never lived in an apartment.

Are there any places that come furnished?

 

[americangeiko]

Does that mean you have to live there/pay rent for an entire year? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I've never lived in an apartment.

Are there any places that come furnished?

You can try Coral Cay, from what I've heard almost all the PIs live there. They're vacation homes that are rented out, and the price is negotiable, though most people pay between 1200-1500 for a 3/4 bedroom. That includes utilities, and the apartments are fully furnished. (TVs, Hangers, Washer/Dryer, the whole bit.)

It's where I'm going to probably end up staying at if I get accepted.

 

[onenightonly]

Did anyone else get this question during the interview?

"What Disney character do you most relate to and why?"

I must say, I was not prepared and may have said the stupidest answer on the face of the planet. Oh well, hopefully someone will learn from my mistake.

 

[Validee]

You can try Coral Cay, from what I've heard almost all the PIs live there. They're vacation homes that are rented out, and the price is negotiable, though most people pay between 1200-1500 for a 3/4 bedroom. That includes utilities, and the apartments are fully furnished. (TVs, Hangers, Washer/Dryer, the whole bit.)

It's where I'm going to probably end up staying at if I get accepted.

Wow, thanks a lot for this info. I'm definitely going to look into it if things go well. It sounds very convenient and affordable.

Since it's 3/4 bedroom, how do people typically find roommates? I guess I shouldn't be worrying about it quite yet, but I can't help but be excited.

 

[Validee]

Did anyone else get this question during the interview?

"What Disney character do you most relate to and why?"

I must say, I was not prepared and may have said the stupidest answer on the face of the planet. Oh well, hopefully someone will learn from my mistake.

What did you answer?