The best source of advice on how to become an Imagineer is the Imagineers themselves:
* Doug Wolf, Project Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering--Florida
"Dream and pursue your imagination and goals. Do anything that stirs your creativity--read, write, draw, observe and travel. Learn what you enjoy and excel at, whether it be model-building, drawing, writing or construction. See if there's a fit. Most likely there is since Imagineering encompasses almost everything imaginable. But above all, enjoy what paths your life travels and learn from each experience."
* Joe Lanzisero, Senior Concept Designer
"[Executive designer and longtime Imagineer] Rolly Crump told me of some advice Walt Disney had given him: Become a student of life, be interested in everything. Be a life sponge, soaking up, observing and recording anything and everything of interest. Develop an attitude where you never stop learning."
* Bruce S. Johnson, Research and Development
"Never pass up the opportunity to see new things, draw things, build things, talk to experts and learn new skills. I learned how to invent machines of all kinds over the years. I've worked as an auto mechanic, machinist, carpenter, factory worker, artist, concept engineer and many other trades. Some were for money and some were just for fun, but I learned from every one of them."
* David Durham, Show Designer
"'Educational Path' doesn't just mean classroom teaching. I think a lot of my education came from working at
Disneyland. It also came from taking courses-- psycholinguistics, nuclear biology, wood shop--seemingly unrelated to what I was studying. Taking nothing but design courses might make a good designer, but taking a variety of courses will make a better Imagineer."
* Paula Dinkel, Lighting Designer
"Don't try to be an Imagineer! Work hard to be the best you can be at whatever you do, get an education, keep on learning, maintain your sense of wonder and discovery and have a good life."
* Kevin Rafferty, Show Writer
"Find out everything you can about every aspect of Disney. If you ever find yourself here, you will draw much from that knowledge. Better yet, find out everything you can about everything. If you are an artist--draw, paint, sculpt and write. If you are a writer--read, write, paint and sculpt. You never know what you're capable of doing until you start doing it. More than anything, work hard and stick with it. Remember, the only time you will find success before work is in the dictionary."
* Bruce Bader, Scope Writer
"There are lots of jobs here that you wouldn't normally think about or aren't normally found in other companies. Since many of these jobs don't have traditional education or experience requirements, they might be a good way to get your foot in the door."
* Ben Schwegler, Research and Development
"Pick a career you really like--I'm not kidding about this--even if it is something other people may tell you is not trendy, 'has no future' or seems to have a low probability of success, like art or botany. I think you can only be successful if you really like what you are doing."
* Larry Nikolai, Show Designer
"Don't give up. If you really want to be part of Imagineering, you will naturally keep growing while practicing and expanding your knowledge. Wander far and wide in your quest for experience. Don't just limit it to what you perceive as the world of Disney. Imagineering is always growing, too. It is always looking for new realms, styles and possibilities."
* Mark Rhodes, Show Writer
"Beg, whine and plead."
from the website
www.imagineering.org