Professional Internship - Fall 2011

[BabySimba]

Hey! I have some experience on this issue so maybe I can shed some light on it. However, I just want to make it clear that this is all subjective and you should really contact Disney cast recruiting directly to get the best information. I have some friends from Europe trying to find internships in the US (not with Disney) and they're facing a whole bunch of legal problems. I found this on the FAQ section of the website:

Q. Are there standard qualifications for internships?

A. Each internship requires that you are at least 18 years of age and are able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Additional requirements are different for each posting. Some require a minimum GPA, grade level completed and/or previous experience on the Disney College Program.

Please reference each individual posting for specific requirements prior to applying.

Basically, if you're not a US citizen you need to get a work visa to work in the US. I'm not 100% sure about it, but I think they can get very expensive and a lot of the cost falls on the company employing you. There is also another crazy law I've heard about restricting the employment of international persons at a US company. It's summarized in saying that to hire an international person for any job, the company must be able to provide reasoning that this person, because of their international status, will perform the job better than a US citizen (usually, this comes down to language skills). Because of this, a lot of firms are hesitant to hire international students for internships/starting positions because the process can be very difficult and expensive. I think Disney gets abides by this by primarily employees international students to work in the EPCOT theme park.

However, Disney might be different since they hire a lot of students through their international program. However, it's more of a CP experience where you'd be working in merch or attractions at EPCOT instead of doing an internship (I understand that you are probably looking for a more professional work-related experience... but EPCOT would be SO much fun!). I recommend you contact the PI program directly, they can give you a much more straightforward answer to your question. I hope this helps... best of luck!

P.S. I had a bunch of helpful links in my post that Dis boards won't let me post since I'm not an active enough member... but you can find contanct info on the PI website. Select "Program overview" and then "FAQ's" and go to the bottome of the page.

Thanks for all the info!

Yeah, I was thinking about doing the Cultural Rep. Program next year if I can't get a PI. The only problem is next year would be the only year I could do the PI since I'm graduating in April 2012.

But I do think it would be kind of difficult to compete against a US citizen. For one thing, I'd be graduating with a diploma and not a degree. I was kind of hoping that my grades and references from my professors would sway them into accepting me. That's looking less and less likely. And I'm Canadian so my language skills are completely fine but I don't know if Disney would be willing to pay to have me shipped in.

If I can't get in then I'll do the Cultural Rep. and maybe try and see if they have any open jobs (not internships) available while I'm down there. I might be able to wiggle myself into some insider jobs if I talk to the right people.

Anyway, I'm going to try and e-mail them about it. Hopefully I can get in! Fingers crossed!

 

[hobostar]

Hi everyone, I just found this blog!

I did my phone screening a while back (about 2 or 3 weeks ago) and I just got called today for a second interview!! I am applying for the Accounting/Finance position and its going to be this Friday, which is also my birthday!! I hope I'll get some birthday luck!

I've read all the messages on this thread and it seems like only 2 people applied to my position but they're not actively responding anymore

And maybe I should introduce myself. I'm Helen and I am a senior, Finance major, at the University of Florida! Graduating this summer, but hopefully if I get this internship, then I'll be graduating in the Spring of 2012 instead

 

[Woodskeeper]

Hi everyone, I just found this blog!

I did my phone screening a while back (about 2 or 3 weeks ago) and I just got called today for a second interview!! I am applying for the Accounting/Finance position and its going to be this Friday, which is also my birthday!! I hope I'll get some birthday luck!

I've read all the messages on this thread and it seems like only 2 people applied to my position but they're not actively responding anymore

And maybe I should introduce myself. I'm Helen and I am a senior, Finance major, at the University of Florida! Graduating this summer, but hopefully if I get this internship, then I'll be graduating in the Spring of 2012 instead

Go Gators! I'm graduating this Spring from UF

Good luck on your interview, and Happy Birthday!!!

 

[Jgrooms86]

Accepted my PI offer for the Conservation Education Presenter today!!!!!

How did you find out you were accepted? Email, phone, mail...?

 

[BabySimba]

Problem!

I went to the PI website to send the recruiters an e-mail but every time I try to send one it says that the e-mail doesn't exist.

 

[slp1650]

Problem!

I went to the PI website to send the recruiters an e-mail but every time I try to send one it says that the e-mail doesn't exist.

wdpr.professional.interns@disney.com

That's the one I've been using for years and I've gotten responses back from. Hope it still works!

 

[BabySimba]

wdpr.professional.interns@disney.com

That's the one I've been using for years and I've gotten responses back from. Hope it still works!

Thanks! It seems to have sent so I think it's good now.

 

[KelBelle89]

Hi everyone, I just found this blog!

I did my phone screening a while back (about 2 or 3 weeks ago) and I just got called today for a second interview!! I am applying for the Accounting/Finance position and its going to be this Friday, which is also my birthday!! I hope I'll get some birthday luck!

I've read all the messages on this thread and it seems like only 2 people applied to my position but they're not actively responding anymore

And maybe I should introduce myself. I'm Helen and I am a senior, Finance major, at the University of Florida! Graduating this summer, but hopefully if I get this internship, then I'll be graduating in the Spring of 2012 instead

Hey Hobostar, I'm applying for the ACCO/Finance PI's! I have my first interview in a couple minutes, eek! Good luck on your next interview!

 

[hobostar]

Hey Hobostar, I'm applying for the ACCO/Finance PI's! I have my first interview in a couple minutes, eek! Good luck on your next interview!

OHH good luck!! I didn't hear back until 2 or 3 weeks later, but the wait time might be shorter now since they have to make a decision soon. They e-mailed me to send in an unofficial transcript to them, then a few days later they called me to schedule an interview (In my case, I got the call yesterday)

I hope we both get it!!! Are you applying to Florida or California?

 

[Katie2010]

Hey!

I applied to the accounting/finance PI too! I had my first interview a week ago and then got an email yesterday to send in my transcript. Good luck on your interview on Friday Hobostar! KelBelle89 I hope you interview this morning went well!

I'm apply to California which one are you two applying to?

 

[Woodskeeper]

Has anyone been getting any Management 2nd interviews? I hear they're going out. I didn't apply for any Management ones, but I'm interested to see how everyone is doing in the process =D

I'm seriously freaking out every day, always checking my email, keeping my phone at the ready, waking up every day to say "Today is the Day!" haha

I guess no news is still good news...

 

[hobostar]

Hey!

I applied to the accounting/finance PI too! I had my first interview a week ago and then got an email yesterday to send in my transcript. Good luck on your interview on Friday Hobostar! KelBelle89 I hope you interview this morning went well!

I'm apply to California which one are you two applying to?

Hiya! You heard back fast!! It took me almost 3 weeks to get the email about transcript when I just gave up all hopes for it. You're gonna get a call real soon to schedule your second interview! I am applying to Orlando cause I live in Florida and I can easily find housing there (lots of friends!!!) even if I don't get sponsored housing (if I get the internship, that is, haha)

I will let you know how it goes after my interview Friday afternoon. I'm actually really nervous because I really really really want this (but I guess so does everyone else too.)

 

[Mindy17]

Hey! I'm just starting with Disney at the DCP this Fall. I'm really determined to work at Disney one day in Finance/Accounting. I'm wondering if I could apply for a summer internship with Disney after the DCP. I don't really want to give up another semester, because I'd like to earn my degree within the 4 year range.

I just want to hear from those of you who've done an internship or who might know something about it. I'd like to know what a career at Disney looks like. Could I work abroad in Europe or Asia and what types of opportunities are available?

Thanks in advance, ya'll!! :0)

 

[Katie2010]

Hiya! You heard back fast!! It took me almost 3 weeks to get the email about transcript when I just gave up all hopes for it. You're gonna get a call real soon to schedule your second interview! I am applying to Orlando cause I live in Florida and I can easily find housing there (lots of friends!!!) even if I don't get sponsored housing (if I get the internship, that is, haha)

I will let you know how it goes after my interview Friday afternoon. I'm actually really nervous because I really really really want this (but I guess so does everyone else too.)

I just got the call for my second interview!!! It's this Friday. I'm excited but nervous, because I really want this too. Do you know what types of accounting/finance questions they're going to ask us?

I'm going for California, because I'm from Oregon, so it's closer to home. Plus, I have a lot of friends in California, so it'll be easy to find housing. Good luck on your interview! I hope it goes well! Let me know. =)

 

[hobostar]

I just got the call for my second interview!!! It's this Friday. I'm excited but nervous, because I really want this too. Do you know what types of accounting/finance questions they're going to ask us?

I'm going for California, because I'm from Oregon, so it's closer to home. Plus, I have a lot of friends in California, so it'll be easy to find housing. Good luck on your interview! I hope it goes well! Let me know. =)

My interview is on Friday too! Its 4pm EST so we might be interviewing about the same time haha, or you might have yours before mine. I'm really nervous too

 

[Katie2010]

My interview is on Friday too! Its 4pm EST so we might be interviewing about the same time haha, or you might have yours before mine. I'm really nervous too

Mine's at 12:30 MST or 2:30 EST.

 

[zMudvayne]

It's exciting to each that everyone else is getting interviews too... I had my screening interview last week and was contacted on Monday to schedule my second interview, which is scheduled for today (the 17th) at 2PM Mountain Time....

Nervous, but real excited for the opportunity to be working with Disney. I'm applying to both Florida and California but would prefer California. ANyone know what kind of questions they will ask us?

 

[Archie25]

Management PI Interviews 2nd round are goin on. I have made it to the third round (Panel Interview). However, I was accepted to the Disney College Program so I am so Happy I am going to get to work for Disney.

 

[slp1650]

Management PI Interviews 2nd round are goin on. I have made it to the third round (Panel Interview). However, I was accepted to the Disney College Program so I am so Happy I am going to get to work for Disney.

What did you get with CP? I did that same thing so even though I'm waiting to hear back from the animal PI's, I have a lifeguarding job starting in August with the CPs. Takes some of the stress/pressure off of the PI wait.

 

[jenelling]

I have a interview for the Product Developer -Gallery Concept for resorts position on Friday, anyone else have any experience with Merchandising PIs?

I also have no idea what to expect from the screening phone interview vs. types of questions on second interview. I'm a little nervous because I would REALLY love this position!