Newbie's got a question!

[idkjade]

(I posted this on another thread...but no one replied, thought I'd have a better chance starting a thread)

First off, I'm new!

There will probably be more questions to come...but I think I'll start with this one.

Okay. So I really want to do the DCP (not sure when though, but I'm doing it! Lol) and then hopefully be able to do the PI program as well. But my "dilemma," at the moment is trying to see how my major can fit with the CP & PI and eventually help me get a job with Disney.

Right now I'm majoring in English. But long story short I plan on switching majors...I just don't know what too. I'm trying to mesh my major/school/disney all together so that I can be able to walk out of college and know what I'm doing.

So I've been thinking about it, and I've looked at all the roles Disney has...and thought about what I like, etc. Pretty much I've come down to the conclusion that I'd like to be a Vacation or Event planner for Disney. Now I know that for the CP, a Vacation Planner is offered as one of the roles...in the PI looking at the roles...I saw event planning.

Alright, so making this into a question....hmm. Well first I guess, if any of you know anything about working with Disney in event or vacation planning...tell me about it, or what you know about it. Second, with school, what route do you think I should take? Marketing? PR/Advertising? I'm not sure...so, if you know more about the business, let me know. Third...is what I'm doing sane? Like...could I actually have a shot at doing this? I mean, being able to go work my way through the company and get a job with them?


If you took the time to read this whole thing...thank you!
P.S. If anyone wants to add anything...suggestions, or just comments...feel free too!

 

[kmg148]

It's definitely sane.

My major was hospitality management, but I've seen a lot of communication and education majors here as well.

After my freshman year of college, I finished working at the place I worked at in high school and got a job at a local theme park. Over the course of the four years that followed, I was able to be promoted into a supervisor role. I loved working in the Guest Relations department of that park at home and decided that my dream of working for Disney someday might be more of a reality now. I always thought it would never happen, and even though I always felt like I wanted to be a part of it...it was too out of reach. I looked into the CP and PI, and saw that in order to do a Guest Relations PI, I needed to do a CP first.

During my junior year of college, I did the college program in FSFB. I had never worked in a restaurant before, and wanted the experience. Boy did I get it! It was challenging at times, but it was worth it! The best advice I can give is to go outside of your comfort zone when you have the opportunity. It could be the CP, or another internshop at home. It gives you a taste of an environment without worrying about what the future may hold. You can figure out if you like a certain aspect of a job without starting a brand new job at home and quitting after a few months. Since you are on an internship, it's time to learn!

Fast forward to this past spring. I finally was able to apply for the PI. After a VERY long application process, I got the call in April that I was being offered a role in Guest Relations! I am living my dream right now, loving my job and following my heart.

If this is something you really want to do, my best advice is follow your heart! You are already headed in the right direction by being here!

 

[SportsChick]

KMG is living my dream - I'm also a hospitality management major and I want to work in guest relations. I don't think doing a PI is going to work into my lifestyle, but if it is a possibility for you - go for it!

 

[Ariel864]

If it's what you want go after it!

I went to school for education and recently graduated. I never participated in the college program, but the internship I wanted didn't require that I did. I'm in Animal Programs as a Conservation Education Presenter. Like I said before I went to school for education, but have very little background in science. So I had my fears that I wouldn't be exactly what they were looking for. They gave me a chance, however, and I'm now working in a field that I only dreamed of prior to this. It's by far the most amazing opportunity I've had, and really feel that if it will open doors for me in the future, perhaps even at Disney!

It's not impossible, work as hard as you can to get where you want to be. Event planning sounds like an amazing job, and my biggest suggestion is to try to get experiences in it ahead of time in whatever ways you can. Does your school have an event planning major? or something along the lines of that?

Make sure you check into the requirements of that internship to see whether you have to do the CP ahead of time or not, and try to prepare yourself in what ways you can. Best of luck to you!

 

[idkjade]

Thanks all!

Now getting to my other questions...

Anyone know anything about CP Vacation Planning or PI Event Planning? Or how I can work that in with my major?

Thanks again!

 

[peaceheart]

Thanks all!

Now getting to my other questions...

Anyone know anything about CP Vacation Planning or PI Event Planning? Or how I can work that in with my major?

Thanks again!

hey jade ive asked a similar question before because I'd very much love to do Vacation Planning, and I was told that RARELY if ever do CP's get this role, especially freshman. :/ but hopefully we can get it!! I'd love to do this because I'm going into communications/marketing and I'd love to do something with traveling.. maybe be a travel agent as part of, or as my, career. so Vacation Planning would definitely help with that. I was majoring in English and as soon as I started taking English in college I basically said "Nevermind that!!" lol I hated English in college... loved it in high school though! So I switched. I'm not sure what advice to give you on what major to choose and how any role will help ur degree! I just am looking forward to the program in general, in a large part, because I know it will expose me to many different experiences/atmospheres where I can evaluate what I really want out of life and stuff.. so I'll leave the program with a stronger knowledge of who I am, what my strengths are, what I"m most passionate about, and what i want to do for the rest of my life, etc. )

 

[MarieMaria]

Thanks all!

Now getting to my other questions...

Anyone know anything about CP Vacation Planning or PI Event Planning? Or how I can work that in with my major?

Thanks again!

Hey!

Vacation planners are the ticket sellers for the park. Most people seem to love it and is sought after a lot.

Vacation Planning
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2106197&highlight=vacation+planner

WDW CP Vacation Planner ?'s
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2432675&highlight=vacation+planner

Here I found some info about what the Event Planning PIs generally consists of...

Wedding Planning/Magic Kingdom Events PI
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=300938&highlight=event

A short role description for a General Event Planning PI
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27954662&postcount=273



I understand about switching majors, in fact I might end with the first one that I started with!

From what I read on these boards, a large part of getting a PI is experience of a CP, so you are off to a good start. Now all PIs do not require this but it helps. Especially if you worked in the Disney culture and have managers and co-workers to vouch for your work performance. Just know that there is not just one way to get to where you want to be. The great thing about Event Planning is there are numerous ways to be involved, you have catering, decor, technical support, drivers to transport materials, setup, accountants, many managers, assistants to those managers, and the list goes on. It is akin to preparing a movie production.

As for Marketing versus Public Relations as a major, I highly recommend taking a "Intro to..." class in these subjects. They are a great way of getting an overview of the industry to see if it fits with your interests and skills. I think they can both be helpful with those aspects of Event Planning/Production. In my opinion, a Hospitality major or class would better suited to Event Planning. In fact most of all my Hospitality textbooks highlight Disney with their service approach. Hospitality is overall serving people while trying to exceed their expectations. Another suggestion might be to minor in one of those.

I think no matter what degree you have, having some experience outside of education can be of a greater advantage. If you have the time and means to do so, volunteer at places that may have special events that need help. In high school, we were encouraged to volunteer so I ended helping out with yearly festivals, science camp, a grand prix, concerts. I did it for the enjoyment and to serve but I can see how it has benefited me to see how different type of events unfold. Check around your town and see what places would hold events. That could be an art museum, hotels, theaters, convention centers, music halls, food/film festivals, non-profit fundraising events, even school events.

I wish you luck!