Becoming an Imagineer...

donald23

donald23

New Member
Original Poster
Hey everyone,

I'm a senior in HS, and I've posted a few threads about my plans of doing the WDWCP. My ultimate goal is to become an imagineer, but I know how hard it can be to make it there. I just found out that a friend at church is a former Imagineer who helped on the projects for M:S and Mickey's Philharmagic, and I would like to know how high my chances rise if I actually know somebody who has worked there and can give great recommendations for me. Does it make any difference or not?
 
Tim G

Tim G

Well-Known Member
donald23 said:
Hey everyone,

I'm a senior in HS, and I've posted a few threads about my plans of doing the WDWCP. My ultimate goal is to become an imagineer, but I know how hard it can be to make it there. I just found out that a friend at church is a former Imagineer who helped on the projects for M:S and Mickey's Philharmagic, and I would like to know how high my chances rise if I actually know somebody who has worked there and can give great recommendations for me. Does it make any difference or not?
Click to expand...
That won't help... it even could work against you...

And one doesn't "become" an Imagineer...

One is already an imagineer, only waiting to be invited...

You can't just knocking on their door saying Hi! I have a friend who helped you with some projects... Do you have an imagineering job...

You just wait for them knocking on your door, saying Hi! We saw some great things from you... Would you like to work for us...

That's the only way...

And BTW... get some at least 2 degrees... at least one in arts.. masters degree is preferred...


Ciao! :D
 
donald23

donald23

New Member
Original Poster
trust me, i know i'm an imagineer. but i'm just trying to find the easiest way to get them to see that..lol.
 
juan

juan

Well-Known Member
you also have a much better chance if you are a CM
many of the current Imagineers started out in places like the Haunted Mansion and custodial
also, once a CM--look into the Cross-U program
 
mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
Yes and no. Knowing Disney can help, but it isn't imperative.

WDI gets who they want, regardless of whether they already work in the company or not.
 
ntoeman

ntoeman

Member
What about engineering at WDW? Is it just as hard to get a job like that, not necessarily for WDI? Would it help to do one of those Career Start programs or a Co-Op/internship for engineering with them?
 
DisneySaint

DisneySaint

Well-Known Member
There is no such thing, unfortunately. Your ONLY option is to get in as a front-line CM and then attend the "Spotlight On : Imagineering" sessions offered through DLC. There is essentially no way to get into engineering without ever having worked for the company. Trust me - I had the same delusions of gradeur before I started here, but you learn quickly it's all one big ladder and there's no way to skip a step.
 
R

Rayray

New Member
DisneySaint said:
There is no such thing, unfortunately. Your ONLY option is to get in as a front-line CM and then attend the "Spotlight On : Imagineering" sessions offered through DLC. There is essentially no way to get into engineering without ever having worked for the company. Trust me - I had the same delusions of gradeur before I started here, but you learn quickly it's all one big ladder and there's no way to skip a step.
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I know there are ME professional Internships (CE, EE, & IE as well, I think) offered by WDW Engr. Services. I don't know exactly what you are refering to as "no such thing." Are you refering to Imagineering?
 
ntoeman

ntoeman

Member
I know I've seen that there are engineering jobs and internships shown on the disney site and on other job listings so I was just curious if anyone had ever done anything like this? or the engineering career start? DisneySaint, what do you mean that there is no such thing?
 
AlishaMisha

AlishaMisha

Member
You guys...its not the ONLY way.

Here Ill give you the 411.

There really is no REAL way of getting into imagineering. If you ask Imagineers how to get in then they will tell you the same thing and that everyone has their own different story.

However, there are some things that can help...

* Knowing an Imagineer who is STILL an Imagineer DOES help. WDI trusts their own Imagineers to make wise recomendations. They figure that Imagineers are there to do the best they can for a project, and know that those Imagineers wouldn't want to work with someone who is not up to par with the standards.




*When going to college pick a major in what you want to do but have many minors in what helps you to do your job well...You will find that alot of them will go hand in hand.

Example: you want to be a writer. So you picked your major. Now pick your minors...ones that the WDI would look at for your paticular Major would be art, theatre..ect.

Want to be an Artist? choose writing and theatre as your minors.

Want Theature to be your Major? then Art and Writing is right for you.




*When you send in you application/do an interview and you get rejected never give up. Alot of Imagineers are there because they kept trying. Some even do it 12+ times.




*Realize that you can do practically ANY career within WDI. Most random one I can think of? A Lawyer(they need one for EVERY project they do). So another words, pic a career that you know you would enjoy and be great at, not just one that you think will get you into Imagineering (most people think Imagineering is only people like achitechs and blah...)


I hope this helps.
Im not looking for a fight with people who disagree with me but I've done years of research and this is what I've found...Im sure there is more tips I can give you but its been a long day.

~Leash
 
radiohost

radiohost

Well-Known Member
^^^^^^I dont know where you get your info, but you just nailed the hammer right on the head!!! I networked during my cp, and asked many questions concerning imagineering...and with what you just said^^^ you just said it all.. The imagineer I met was a Media major in college, which coincidentaly is my major as well...he got on through a friend who was with WDI who asked him if he wanted the job...he's been with WDI for over 10 years now.

NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!

Radiohost
 
AlishaMisha

AlishaMisha

Member
radiohost said:
^^^^^^I dont know where you get your info, but you just nailed the hammer right on the head!!! I networked during my cp, and asked many questions concerning imagineering...and with what you just said^^^ you just said it all.. The imagineer I met was a Media major in college, which coincidentaly is my major as well...he got on through a friend who was with WDI who asked him if he wanted the job...he's been with WDI for over 10 years now.

NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!

Radiohost
Click to expand...

Thank You. :D


I would like to add another lil bit of info I forgot (and Im sure Ill think of more later).

WDI only recruits 1,000 Imagineers a year. Im telling you this because thats a small amount compared to everyone who applies. So another words, when you pick your major make sure that you are picking a career that you are completly okay with persueing outside of WDI if things don't work out.

Hey, Keep in touch. Im in the same boat as you (except my issues are more complicated involving location issues with my significant other). Its always nice to talk Imagineering with others.

:king: ~Leash
 

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