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Imageneering
- Thread starter WaltDisney100
- Start date
Imagineer Dave
New Member
Experience
Exactly, NowInc you hit the nail right on the head. The number one thing that is going to be looked at when you apply for a job at WDI is how much experience you have. So having a lot of experience is very important if you are thinking of applying for a job at WDI. One good way to get started in your pursuit for working for WDI is by taking engineering classes at Walt Disney World's College Program, its a great way to get experience :animwink:
Exactly, NowInc you hit the nail right on the head. The number one thing that is going to be looked at when you apply for a job at WDI is how much experience you have. So having a lot of experience is very important if you are thinking of applying for a job at WDI. One good way to get started in your pursuit for working for WDI is by taking engineering classes at Walt Disney World's College Program, its a great way to get experience :animwink:
Maybe its just me, but all of the colleges I've visited (75+) don't rank their students. They just have 3 levels of honor graduates based solely on GPA. There are no real rankings.
I doubt knowing someone high in WDI is going to help you get a job unless you have experience, which it doesn't sound like you do.
james4023464
New Member
I'm 14 and want to be an Imagineer. Everybody at my school always asks me what are you drawing, and I tell them a ride or a rollercoaster. I love doing this and I really want to pursue it in my future. People at my school laugh at me when I tell them I want to be an Imagineer, but my teachers think its cool. I'm already working on my portfolio for my big day. What college courses do you take.
NowInc
Well-Known Member
It really doesnt matter what you take in college because chances are that no matter what you want to do..they have a job for it...
I minored in Architecture with a major in Digital Media arts and Animation...and yeah...me no worky....
You could easily work with an engineering degree..fine arts...even be a lawyer...in the end..school isnt what gets you in..its EXPERIENCE...so its great that you have that dream..but be willing to wait for it
I minored in Architecture with a major in Digital Media arts and Animation...and yeah...me no worky....
You could easily work with an engineering degree..fine arts...even be a lawyer...in the end..school isnt what gets you in..its EXPERIENCE...so its great that you have that dream..but be willing to wait for it
WeirdOne
New Member
What about a writer like myself. Does the WDI college program offer classes for writing people? Or as Imagineer Dave kindly told me once, "the brainstormers." I mean, I don't want to be an engineer, or an artist, but a writer for WDI. Does it pay to have connections within WDI? What kind of work would I submit as a writer? Novels? Scripts? I clearly can't submit art. LOL! Also, wwhat kind of experience could I put on my resume other than things like writing for newspapers or writing short published stories. Seriously, my options are limited here. LOL! Why do I get the feeling my chances are very slim. LOL! - The WeirdOne 
gwrf
New Member
Imagine
Millions of people around the world take the approach that college is part of the "step-by-step" guide to life. This goes along with such things as high marks, auditions, stories, portfolios and many, many forms of expression. As these ideas become more common, it becomes possible to develop a "formula for success". This means that the form of expression has become so common that it's possible to combine fixed ideas to develop a concept (not an idea) to make something. From this you get a lot (not all) pop music, sitcoms (again not all), etcetera.
What is the problem with this? People hate it!
The problem is that all these creations seem the same. No matter what they say, people need change. Society needs change. You need to be able to stretch your imagination to different planes of thought.
The formulaic people noticed this (or most likely somebody managed to come up with an argument that convinced them) and they invented the idea of "thinking outside the box". You'll nowadays see it everywhere – a corporation will say: "We want people who can think outside the box" - meaning they want people to think differently (heard that slogan before?)
This is most noticeable in requirements to enter Medical School. All the medical schools now require students to have lots of "extra curricular activities" - based on the very true theory that people become better doctors (or anything creative indeed) if they have more ideas and perspectives going through their minds. For example, a doctor who can save a persons life because they have an inbuilt interest in the medical profession is far more effective than someone who follows all the rules.
Unfortunately, the "out of the box" didn't work out as well as was expected. Students and the parents of students started to do extracurricular activities, not because they liked them, but because it would get them more marks on their medical school application (or any post secondary institution).
This really hurt the people who extracurricular lives which were true to themselves and who were really the people the colleges/companies were looking for. I have a friend who would make a great doctor, because he's interested in the medical profession, but he can't get the job. I have another friend who has been accepted to medical school, but in my opinion, the last thing I want him to be is my doctor!!
Medical schools aside...
I am 19 and I would love to be an Imagineer.
However - Rather than looking at how to become an Imagineer, an actor (or a model), a writer, or a director...I realize that school and marks are going to get me nowhere "beyond myself". My spare time is taken up doing what I want to do, in the most financially beneficial way possible.
(I am currently studying a B.S. in computer science as well - anyway!)
The world is very much open to manipulation - if you plan the right way, you can succeed in anything. Most of the time all you need is basic understanding, and the ability to see as much as possible in the abstract.
For the time being, there is little chance that I can apply to a great job and be successful. My strategy to life is thus: Concentrate on what I want to do (as entrepreneurial as possible) and when I have the experience and time I can extend into fields which I really want to be in! That’s only if I don't do the work that I want to do by that point!
If a few creative people work together to achieve goals independent from giants like Disney they could easily achieve anything.
Don't take that anything lightly: I mean ANYTHING. Sometimes I have a problem understanding the idea - anything really means anything.
Working in groups is essential. You can't do anything by yourself! My greatest difficulty is in finding people who can imagine what is really possible – those I do find tend to be spread across the world.
It would be truly fantastic to create some of what Disney has done - of course taking the ideas somewhere new... For the moment however, working independently from the corporate world, doing new things to change the world - I am happy.
You've got to dream. Being an Imagineer is working on amazing projects and working for a highly respected and valued company. You can do this yourself every day until (if) you end up working for them!
If you want to be an architect (don’t be afraid) – build anything!
If you want to be an engineer (don’t be afraid) – make anything!
If you want to be an actor (don’t be afraid) – be anything!
If you want to be a writer (don’t be afraid) – write anything!
And for your own sake, don’t limit yourself to 'build', 'make', 'be' – anything goes with YOU!
Imagine...!
Millions of people around the world take the approach that college is part of the "step-by-step" guide to life. This goes along with such things as high marks, auditions, stories, portfolios and many, many forms of expression. As these ideas become more common, it becomes possible to develop a "formula for success". This means that the form of expression has become so common that it's possible to combine fixed ideas to develop a concept (not an idea) to make something. From this you get a lot (not all) pop music, sitcoms (again not all), etcetera.
What is the problem with this? People hate it!
The problem is that all these creations seem the same. No matter what they say, people need change. Society needs change. You need to be able to stretch your imagination to different planes of thought.
The formulaic people noticed this (or most likely somebody managed to come up with an argument that convinced them) and they invented the idea of "thinking outside the box". You'll nowadays see it everywhere – a corporation will say: "We want people who can think outside the box" - meaning they want people to think differently (heard that slogan before?)
This is most noticeable in requirements to enter Medical School. All the medical schools now require students to have lots of "extra curricular activities" - based on the very true theory that people become better doctors (or anything creative indeed) if they have more ideas and perspectives going through their minds. For example, a doctor who can save a persons life because they have an inbuilt interest in the medical profession is far more effective than someone who follows all the rules.
Unfortunately, the "out of the box" didn't work out as well as was expected. Students and the parents of students started to do extracurricular activities, not because they liked them, but because it would get them more marks on their medical school application (or any post secondary institution).
This really hurt the people who extracurricular lives which were true to themselves and who were really the people the colleges/companies were looking for. I have a friend who would make a great doctor, because he's interested in the medical profession, but he can't get the job. I have another friend who has been accepted to medical school, but in my opinion, the last thing I want him to be is my doctor!!
Medical schools aside...
I am 19 and I would love to be an Imagineer.
However - Rather than looking at how to become an Imagineer, an actor (or a model), a writer, or a director...I realize that school and marks are going to get me nowhere "beyond myself". My spare time is taken up doing what I want to do, in the most financially beneficial way possible.
(I am currently studying a B.S. in computer science as well - anyway!)
The world is very much open to manipulation - if you plan the right way, you can succeed in anything. Most of the time all you need is basic understanding, and the ability to see as much as possible in the abstract.
For the time being, there is little chance that I can apply to a great job and be successful. My strategy to life is thus: Concentrate on what I want to do (as entrepreneurial as possible) and when I have the experience and time I can extend into fields which I really want to be in! That’s only if I don't do the work that I want to do by that point!
If a few creative people work together to achieve goals independent from giants like Disney they could easily achieve anything.
Don't take that anything lightly: I mean ANYTHING. Sometimes I have a problem understanding the idea - anything really means anything.
Working in groups is essential. You can't do anything by yourself! My greatest difficulty is in finding people who can imagine what is really possible – those I do find tend to be spread across the world.
It would be truly fantastic to create some of what Disney has done - of course taking the ideas somewhere new... For the moment however, working independently from the corporate world, doing new things to change the world - I am happy.
You've got to dream. Being an Imagineer is working on amazing projects and working for a highly respected and valued company. You can do this yourself every day until (if) you end up working for them!
If you want to be an architect (don’t be afraid) – build anything!
If you want to be an engineer (don’t be afraid) – make anything!
If you want to be an actor (don’t be afraid) – be anything!
If you want to be a writer (don’t be afraid) – write anything!
And for your own sake, don’t limit yourself to 'build', 'make', 'be' – anything goes with YOU!
Imagine...!
NowInc
Well-Known Member
Woah...long post...had to read it a few times to get what you were saying (not that it wasnt well written..it was...i am very lightheaded right now...)
School marks really only make a difference...in school. In the real world..its talent and experience that'll get you where you want to go. Now...having good grades will however push you to the front of the line for good internships at various companies..which..translates into the experience you need. so its worth it.
Now...they have internships for everything...on and off...the waiting list is long...and few get in..especially writers.
School marks really only make a difference...in school. In the real world..its talent and experience that'll get you where you want to go. Now...having good grades will however push you to the front of the line for good internships at various companies..which..translates into the experience you need. so its worth it.
Now...they have internships for everything...on and off...the waiting list is long...and few get in..especially writers.
McArcDes
New Member
As all you do I want to be a full time perminant imagineer. I went to school for nine years working days and taking classes four nights a week to get my Bachelors of Architecture, a professional degree mind you.
Just after finishing my thesis proposal I had the great fortune of landing an professional internship at Imagineering in Florida.
I moved my whole family, my wife, three children and myself down to Orlando for the summer of 98. We rented a furnished condo north of the airport and settled in for the summer.
This turned out to be the best job I had ever had. It was the only time in my life that I was excited to go to work EVERY morning. Don't get me wrong, it was work but in some way the day to day grind was not there.
The highlight of it all was that I got TWO projects that I designed built. One was a fence to cover the back of the popcorn stand in Safari Village in the Animal Kingdom. (I know not a big deal but I designed it and it got built.) The other was a recreation room addition to the back of the Imagineering offices at EPCOT. There were quite a few other projects that I did design work on but some of them went the way of the winds. (My avatar is of the name tag I wore while working there.)
When the summer was over I was pumped! During my exit interview I told human resourses that I wanted to make my career at Imagineering.
Then came the downside. After I graduated they had a hiring freeze in effect. When they lifted that there was the layoffs I keep very well informed about what is going on there, I have firends that work there that I talk to and get info from. I have even gone back to visit them a couple of times. BUT the Disney company is pullling back from really large scale project I think and I dont see any oportunities at Imagineering any time soon.
Like all of you it is hell knowing you were meant to work at a particular place and you just cant make it happen....
Just after finishing my thesis proposal I had the great fortune of landing an professional internship at Imagineering in Florida.
I moved my whole family, my wife, three children and myself down to Orlando for the summer of 98. We rented a furnished condo north of the airport and settled in for the summer.
This turned out to be the best job I had ever had. It was the only time in my life that I was excited to go to work EVERY morning. Don't get me wrong, it was work but in some way the day to day grind was not there.
The highlight of it all was that I got TWO projects that I designed built. One was a fence to cover the back of the popcorn stand in Safari Village in the Animal Kingdom. (I know not a big deal but I designed it and it got built.) The other was a recreation room addition to the back of the Imagineering offices at EPCOT. There were quite a few other projects that I did design work on but some of them went the way of the winds. (My avatar is of the name tag I wore while working there.)
When the summer was over I was pumped! During my exit interview I told human resourses that I wanted to make my career at Imagineering.
Then came the downside. After I graduated they had a hiring freeze in effect. When they lifted that there was the layoffs I keep very well informed about what is going on there, I have firends that work there that I talk to and get info from. I have even gone back to visit them a couple of times. BUT the Disney company is pullling back from really large scale project I think and I dont see any oportunities at Imagineering any time soon.
Like all of you it is hell knowing you were meant to work at a particular place and you just cant make it happen....
dizneeboy
Active Member
A year before I graduated ('93) from my engineering program, I read a blurb in our engineering paper about an alumni who was working for Disney Imagineering. Since Imagineering is what sparked my interest to become an engineer, I contacted him immediately via mail.
To make a very long story short, he told me, as has been brought up in this thread several times, that they focus on experience and that they, at that time, were not hiring anyone without several years of experience in their field. He told me to keep in touch and would let me know if he heard of any openings in the future.
After several years, I tried contacting him again via the alumni association, but he no longer worked as an Imagineer. He said that budgets and outside sourcing had eliminated many jobs and Imagineering wasn't as glamorous as it appears. He did say that he loved his job when he did not have to deal with the red tape.
Two years ago, my friend in California, who was recruiting at the time, said there was an opening in Imagineering that I may be interested in. I got the phone interview. Seemed to go very well. Was told second interviews would involve flying out on site and a tour of the facilities. Several weeks went by with no word. Spoke to my friend and he called them up. Position had been pulled and was no longer available.
So, two chances and no dice : ( My advice, if you really want to be an Imagineer, is to be presistent and never give up. Also, from what I've been told, the picture you will have painted in your head over and over is not necessarily the experience you will receive. So, be prepared!
Would I still work there if given the chance...you bet...good luck!
To make a very long story short, he told me, as has been brought up in this thread several times, that they focus on experience and that they, at that time, were not hiring anyone without several years of experience in their field. He told me to keep in touch and would let me know if he heard of any openings in the future.
After several years, I tried contacting him again via the alumni association, but he no longer worked as an Imagineer. He said that budgets and outside sourcing had eliminated many jobs and Imagineering wasn't as glamorous as it appears. He did say that he loved his job when he did not have to deal with the red tape.
Two years ago, my friend in California, who was recruiting at the time, said there was an opening in Imagineering that I may be interested in. I got the phone interview. Seemed to go very well. Was told second interviews would involve flying out on site and a tour of the facilities. Several weeks went by with no word. Spoke to my friend and he called them up. Position had been pulled and was no longer available.
So, two chances and no dice : ( My advice, if you really want to be an Imagineer, is to be presistent and never give up. Also, from what I've been told, the picture you will have painted in your head over and over is not necessarily the experience you will receive. So, be prepared!
Would I still work there if given the chance...you bet...good luck!