Post-CP hiring questions

[Hopeful CM]

I did a program in 2004 and an alumni program in 2008. I'd like to go back in a leadership position, but I have no idea if I'd have to work up into it or hired directly into that position. Either would be fine, honestly, but I was wondering if anyone had any idea what would give a boost toward a leadership position. My old manager had told me several times that he thought I should stick around and go full-time, then work into a leadership position.

I currently live in the midwest and am planning on moving back to Orlando in a couple of years, but am thinking about going back to school for a degree in hospitality management (I never finished my degree due to personal circumstances). Would that help, or is it not necessary?

TIA!

 

[Berlioz70]

You can do it either way... generally speaking managers hired from the outside will make more than those promoted internally.

For external, build your resume with leadership experience in a similar business. For example, work at Six Flags for attractions or entertainment, manage a fast food restaurant for food, manager a store for merchandise. The more the better. They are not likely to hire in a new person who does not already have a couple years of management experience.

Internally, work into a coordinator role and then network network network... LCC is all about the meet and greets and who knows your name.

 

[Hopeful CM]

So do you think it helps at all if you have a degree? I never finished my degree and am thinking about going back to school for hospitality management, but there's no school in my area with a decent, affordable program. Or is a degree unnecessary? Thanks!

 

[graygables]

So do you think it helps at all if you have a degree? I never finished my degree and am thinking about going back to school for hospitality management, but there's no school in my area with a decent, affordable program. Or is a degree unnecessary? Thanks!

IMO the degree helps. Some roles are being posted with a bachelor's as a requirement. Also, in my opinion, there is less hiring into leadership going on from the outside as the Company has a very rich talent pool right now. LCCs are starting to pick up which means that there will be some internal movement. If you would like to fast track to leadership, I would suggest returning to school and applying for a management internship.

Also, understand that getting a statused leadership role at Disney takes effort and a lot of it. LOTS of time on projects, teams, and getting your name noticed and out there. They aren't kidding when they tell you to network, network, network. You have to SHINE. (OK, that was mostly for my 24yo who thinks she should be a leader by now and wonders why she isn't... )

 

[Berlioz70]

I(OK, that was mostly for my 24yo who thinks she should be a leader by now and wonders why she isn't... )

LOL - you crack me up!!!

 

[Hopeful CM]

IMO the degree helps. Some roles are being posted with a bachelor's as a requirement. Also, in my opinion, there is less hiring into leadership going on from the outside as the Company has a very rich talent pool right now. LCCs are starting to pick up which means that there will be some internal movement. If you would like to fast track to leadership, I would suggest returning to school and applying for a management internship.

Also, understand that getting a statused leadership role at Disney takes effort and a lot of it. LOTS of time on projects, teams, and getting your name noticed and out there. They aren't kidding when they tell you to network, network, network. You have to SHINE. (OK, that was mostly for my 24yo who thinks she should be a leader by now and wonders why she isn't... )

I've considered doing a PI, actually. I'm 26 at the moment and wouldn't be able to go down for another program or PI for at least a year or two. Do you recommend specifically getting a hospitality degree, or just a business degree, or any degree at all? There's no school in my area that offers an affordable (i.e., public university) hospitality degree that's not focused on culinary. Two of the schools in my area offer bachelor's in business administration, but not hospitality, and there are a few 'paper mill' schools that offer business, and then there's University of Phoenix, which has an associate's in hospitality. Does the actual discipline matter, or would business be all right? I was originally in school for English/secondary education, then recently started looking into nursing, then changed my mind again. Hospitality is something that I enjoyed and can see myself doing for a career.

I have no problem with putting forth the effort to get the position. I wasn't expecting to get it without some sort of effort on my part to show that I'm capable of doing the job. I currently work in health care and don't really want to change jobs at the moment (I love my job and facility, but I don't want to do this forever, you know?), so getting management experience in another field isn't really possible for me at the moment, and I can't be an actual manager in my department because I'd need to be an RN for that. Team leader's another story, but we currently don't have any of those, as this facility is still new. There's a Six Flags near me, but A) I don't want to give up my full-time with benefits job for what would most likely be a seasonal position, and B) I don't have a car and it's an hour away. Plus, I actually can't stand Six Flags.

Thank you so much for your help with this, by the way. I really appreciate it

 

[graygables]

I'll tell you my tale...

Returned to school as a single mother of 2 in 1991. Associates in humanities at the community college, only b/c I could transfer it to a 4yr school. Transferred into a private university (more willing to work with my credits, I was in a time crunch due to alimony and court orders and all). Completed a BA in English/Education in 1993 at 29yo. In case you haven't heard it, there is a song about "What do you do with a BA in English" in case you want to Google it. I taught English for 2 years before I decided it was not for me. Remarried, 2 more kids, yada-yada. Started my own business, it was fine, but I had working for Disney in the back of my head since my older 2 went through the CP.

I started University of Phoenix online in the Master's of Management/HR program in Jan 08, partly b/c I wanted to run my business better, partly b/c I was eyeing the management internships. 2008, economy was on the skids and I saw the writing on the wall of my 9mpg/$5.50/gal cargo trailer. I applied for the internship. Went through the whole process and did well. Watching the economy and Facebook and Disboards, I got antsy and applied for the CP as a lifeboat. Turns out, I needed it.

The management internships were pretty much cancelled (a few had already been hired and got to come), so I moved my 2 DDs still at home to WDW to work for the Mouse on the CP. Spring 2009, got a call asking if I would still be interested in an MI if one were available (heck, yeah!) and was offered a position on April 22nd (Earth Day, I will always remember!). Did the MI from June 2009 - Jan 2010 when I was offered my current role as a statused resort duty manager. It's a part time role, which is actually perfect for me as I needed this year to finish my degree and catch my breath (I also homeschool my youngest 2). Now that I'm gearing up for graduation, I'm ramping up my search for full-time and moving on with my career.

All that said, while I believe that any degree is probably a good degree, I think you will gain more valuable and practical knowledge by getting a degree in business. Of course you know to avoid a degree mill and my jury is still out on how I feel about the University of Phoenix. I'm torn between hating it and wanting to teach there myself. However I feel about it, I will graduate in September, an achievement of which I am very proud and forever grateful that it was the vehicle that allowed me to reach my dream of being a manager at WDW.

 

[Hopeful CM]

Yeah, 2008 was when I was down there the last time. If it weren't for the economy, I'd still be there, as I went seasonal after my program ended (no full-time available) and then had to go home when my hours got cut so badly that I couldn't afford rent.

Right now, I'm thinking about going to a community college and getting an AA in business, since I can be done with that in two and a half years. I poked at a possible class outline for the next few semesters and, as long as I can afford it, I should be able to follow it. I'm hoping to do as much of it online as possible, considering my work schedule. After that, I'm thinking about transferring those credits to a university near my house that offers a business BA, but I'm not sure how long it'll take to get a BA with an AA.



Anyway, thanks again! You've been really helpful