Becoming an Imagineer

[AllStarMovies]

Hello all!

Are there any Disney employees or interns (past or present) that have any insight that could help an engineering student pursue a career in Imagineering?

My current plan includes taking the Engineering Professional Development Study during the Disney college program, perhaps returning for the CP alumni program, and then applying for an engineering professional internship with the company during my Junior or Senior year.

Are there any notable points that I should include in my plan?

Thanks to all who took the time to read this!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Didn't you post this in the CP forum?

 

[AllStarMovies]

I did, and I'm sorry if I broke any rules in doing so. I am new to the forum and did not know which category this best fit under.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Don't focus only on Walt Disney Imagineering. Moving between companies is very common in the themed entertainment industry and, depending on what type of engineering you are studying, there are probably more specialized companies that tend to be hired by Disney and others like Universal Creative and SeaWorld.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Don't focus only on Walt Disney Imagineering. Moving between companies is very common in the themed entertainment industry and, depending on what type of engineering you are studying, there are probably more specialized companies that tend to be hired by Disney and others like Universal Creative and SeaWorld.

That's excellent info. Sometimes it's better to get industry experience in order to into the specific company you are looking at.

 

[Voxel]

Don't focus only on Walt Disney Imagineering. Moving between companies is very common in the themed entertainment industry and, depending on what type of engineering you are studying, there are probably more specialized companies that tend to be hired by Disney and others like Universal Creative and SeaWorld.

This is very accurate information, it's okay to jump back and forth between industries and find the right fit.

 

[lazyboy97o]

That's excellent info. Sometimes it's better to get industry experience in order to into the specific company you are looking at.

This is very accurate information, it's okay to jump back and forth between industries and find the right fit.

I actually was not referencing gaining relevant experience, but trying to highlight the reality of the industry. While Disney likes to create the image that everything is done by Walt Disney Imagineering that is not at all the case. Disney hires other companies to do work that would otherwise be described as 'Imagineering' and this is only happening more and more. Take a look at the companies that show up on the permits in the permits thread. These companies are not just rubber stamping work done by Disney but are actively involved in the design of the project.

The days of lifers at Walt Disney Imagineering is also past where even Bob Weis (head of Walt Disney Imagineering) spent a number of years away from Disney and Scott Trowbridge (Star Wars Land) came over from Universal Creative. The industry has always been project-based and that is part of why people move around so much. In addition to the above mentioned third-party companies that Disney hires, they also hire for just a project. No one company has enough work to keep everyone employed full time.

 

[AllStarMovies]

Absolutely, thank you all for the responses. While Disney remains my first pick, I have also been looking into other companies within the industry. I simply emphasized upon Disney since (as previously stated) it is the ideal goal. But also I was afraid I would come off as blasphemous to discus other options on a Disney-centric forum. Thanks again to all who responded, and any other information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AllStarMovies]

Also, I was fortunate enough to sit down with an electrical engineer who currently works with WDI, and he had many similar points. He said the average project was only 6-18 months, and engineers would likely cease to be employed with Disney following the projects completion. He explained how various (committed) individuals would actually come and go from the company whenever needed, etc.