That's why you got in.
Finance and Operations require completely different skillsets.
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Finance and Operations require completely different skillsets.
wizards8507
Active Member
True, but there are also commonalities that they're looking for among all professional recruiting. My recruiters included the CFO of Imagineering, the General Manager of the Grand Floridian, and the VP of Financial Reporting, so they had all disciplines represented in the process. Also, even in recruitment for a Finance position, some of my experience that appealed to them the most included my time as a McDonald's Crew Trainer and the Senior Manager of a 24-hour cafe at my University. While the interview process did include a Finance case, the majority of the interviews were behavioral.
Congrats once more, but let me get to the point.
You are the exception to the rule as far as Disney Parks and Resorts goes. You are the golden child.
Yes is is completely possible. Especially if you have a skillset that is in demand at the time.
The stars aligned for you (just like me in my current job). You got lucky (just like I did).
You are one of only four people I personally know of that were hired directly into professional roles within Disney Parks and Resorts. One is a nurse at health services that had several years under her belt, one is an entertainment manager (or was, it's been years since we've spoken) and also had years of experience under her belt, and the other two were recently minted finance grads: you, and the other is a CPA with an MBA.
Obviously there are exceptions, as you've just shown. And I'm not trying to discourage someone. I'm just being a realist.
If you want a professional job at Disney out of college, theme parks are probably the hardest place to do it in. The vast majority of professionals working for the company that I know, were able to get internships in other areas (think WDFA, WDS, WDIG, ABC, DCP) while in college and were able to turn them into full time jobs after graduation.
Again, congrats. This job is a sign from the heavens. A neon sign with arrows. Take it don't look back.
Especially with that salary in a city as cheap as Orlando.
You are the exception to the rule as far as Disney Parks and Resorts goes. You are the golden child.
Yes is is completely possible. Especially if you have a skillset that is in demand at the time.
The stars aligned for you (just like me in my current job). You got lucky (just like I did).
You are one of only four people I personally know of that were hired directly into professional roles within Disney Parks and Resorts. One is a nurse at health services that had several years under her belt, one is an entertainment manager (or was, it's been years since we've spoken) and also had years of experience under her belt, and the other two were recently minted finance grads: you, and the other is a CPA with an MBA.
Obviously there are exceptions, as you've just shown. And I'm not trying to discourage someone. I'm just being a realist.
If you want a professional job at Disney out of college, theme parks are probably the hardest place to do it in. The vast majority of professionals working for the company that I know, were able to get internships in other areas (think WDFA, WDS, WDIG, ABC, DCP) while in college and were able to turn them into full time jobs after graduation.
Again, congrats. This job is a sign from the heavens. A neon sign with arrows. Take it don't look back.
Especially with that salary in a city as cheap as Orlando.
wizards8507
Active Member
I'm sorry if I sound like I'm "tooting my own horn," as I sincerely don't intend to, but I'm not just speaking of my own experience.
After a "first round" of on-campus interviews, I was invited to a recruiting event on property at WDW with roughly 40-50 candidates, and it is my understanding that at least 10 of them were offered jobs. These candidates were all (or almost all) Bachelor's degree students with no professional experience aside from summer internships with various companies. Considering that these 10 or more roles were filled by undergraduates, and that this was specifically for Finance roles within the Parks and Resorts business unit, it stands to reason that there would be a significantly greater number of entry-level roles when one considers positions outside of Finance and in business units besides Parks and Resorts. Sure, you need to perform well in your interviews and have a good academic record to be considered a strong candidate, but I think it's unfair that many people are implying that the "only" way to reach a management position at WDW is by starting at $7.50 an hour filling Coke cups at Toluca Legs Turkey Co. on Sunset Blvd.
EDIT:
You're probably right about this. My understanding from the OP was that he/she was looking for an opportunity to get in with the Walt Disney Company in general, not necessarily Walt Disney World or Parks and Resorts specifically. If that is the case, then I echo your advice: The OP should be open to opportunities throughout the company. While a hospitality degree would point one in the direction of Parks and Resorts, it would probably be advisable to look for professional work within all business segments rather than hope to get "discovered" by your manager while you work as a ride operator at the Magic Kingdom.
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
I don't feel like anyone is actually being negative or bringing me down. It's all honest to the point advice. I'm not expecting much to be honest if I get a job. I'll just be thrilled to be part of the magic.
wizards8507
Active Member
@stphnbogert
Off topic: Since you live in Orlando, do you have any advice about UCF? I'm hoping to go there part time at night to get my MBA.
EvilQueen-T
Well-Known Member
i think the biggest things to keep in mind is that we in florida are fighting higher than most unemployment rates so if you get your foot in the door do it right, work hard, be flexible, and don't mess up. having more education i.e., your mba as compared to you bba will only ever help not hurt you so in this market if you can do it, get it, but it's still just the key to opening the door. once your an employee try to remember the things that made you love going to disney in the first place and pass those kind of magical moments forward. also disney seems to try to hold their employees (at least those cm's we visitors interact with under normal circumstances) to a higher standard of customer service, this could be a tougher than normal environment to work under but it's also what makes it such a great place to visit.
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
@wizards8507 I'm sorry I don't have any advice about UCF. I'm taking classes online.
@EvilQueen-T thanks for the advice! i know unemployment is really high thats why i'll be very humble and a hard-worker if i get a job there. i think my plan is going to be once i get my bachelors i'm going to apply and hopefully work for disney. once i get a job i think i'm going to push for my masters (all depends on where my life is at the moment)
@EvilQueen-T thanks for the advice! i know unemployment is really high thats why i'll be very humble and a hard-worker if i get a job there. i think my plan is going to be once i get my bachelors i'm going to apply and hopefully work for disney. once i get a job i think i'm going to push for my masters (all depends on where my life is at the moment)
Rollins has a much better MBA program.
John
Well-Known Member
I dont know squat about Hospitality degrees etc. I never went to college. I am just a WDW guest with 14 visits under my belt. The problem I see with managment, is that in some ways they have become disconnected with what has made WDW what it is (the most visited vacation spot in the world).
When and if you do become a CM, dont forget the magic you so lovingly speak of.There isnt an E-ticket or dark ride in WDW that measures up to the simple magic that can make one smile.
When and if you do become a CM, dont forget the magic you so lovingly speak of.There isnt an E-ticket or dark ride in WDW that measures up to the simple magic that can make one smile.
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
I dont know squat about Hospitality degrees etc. I never went to college. I am just a WDW guest with 14 visits under my belt. The problem I see with managment, is that in some ways they have become disconnected with what has made WDW what it is (the most visited vacation spot in the world).
When and if you do become a CM, dont forget the magic you so lovingly speak of.There isnt an E-ticket or dark ride in WDW that measures up to the simple magic that can make one smile.
Thanks! I'm currently reading up on all things Disney. From the Company to Imagineering to Walt Disney. I want to know everything Disney.
You're failing to grasp that you have a specialised discipline the rank-and-file CMs won't have. The resort also hires scientists who do not have any prior Disney CM experience. Again, because it is very specialised. Your implication is that because you got a job without prior CM experience that anyone can is misleading. And you also weren't hired as a manager. The OP wants to work in management. And the responses were that Disney essentially promotes from within. I'll bet your hiring manager started out in a similar position as you.
EvilQueen-T
Well-Known Member
that's the great thing about where you are in life...everything is still possible. good luck with your future.
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
thank you very much. =)
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
Not to put you down, because your degrees and landing a job as you did are very good accomplishments, but you are not "Management" in the true sense of the word.
You have a very special, in demand, and specific skill set. You were not hired because of your ability to form teams or your ability to improve morale, or manage projects. You were hired for your skills in finance. Quite frankly you could be doing that job in just about any company in America.
I currently work in Telecomm. I have for 16 years now. I currently work in a Engineering position, but that's not where I started (despite the fact I had a Masters in Civil Engineering when I was hired). They wanted me for my management skills. I was in charge of 18 field technicians, had daily face to face interactions with customers, and was responsible for my teams attendance, productivity, and overall morale. It was my past experience in leading engineering teams that got me that job.
As others have said, real world is very different from textbook.
I still remember how my interview for my current job started. I was interviewed by a panel of three senior managers. All who had been field supervisors at one time. They said, lets do some role play. You hand out the assignments for the day. This guy comes in with his union steward and says "you have been giving me the hard jobs every day this month. This is not fair. You have to give this work to someone else, I am not doing it." What do you do? Thats a management situation.
To the OP - get some experience in a supervisory role. It does not have to be in a job. Join a club (Rotary, Lions, Volunteer Service) and either run for an officers role, or offer to spearhead a team. If you are trying to get into a general management position, something like "Served as secretary of my Rotary club. Filed all correspondence with Rotary International, maintained attendance records, and published weekly meeting summaries and monthly board meeting minutes. While in this position lead a planning team to investigate new fund raising opportunities. After trialling three possible solutions, I decided on a solution that best fit the needs of our club. This solution was successful in generating a positive annual cash flow of $1,500 for our organization." on your resume will go miles beyond any degree you may receive.
-dave
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
mickey2008.1
Well-Known Member
While degrees help, there is nothing better than experience. You cant teach how to deal upset/angry/underwhelmed guests. i do this on a daily basis being a chef. Hospitality all the way. Its a fine balance between customer expectations, emloyee happiness, and what the owners want. In my position, and i feel all hospitality positions, its meeting all these peoples needs. Its learned, and taught by experience. And by the way, i have a finance degree, which does really help for this business. never thought it would, but it does more so so than i thought. good luck!
powlessfamily4
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with this statement. I have been employed in an upper level corporate position for over 10 years. If you are locked into your Hospitatlity Degree, and have determined that is what is right for you, try to complete a minor in finance or marketing.
Reality - The majority of business people are not even working in the field they earned their degrees in. You have a much greater chance of making upper management if you carry a degree in Finance or Marketing. They tend to be two fairly "large" departments in most corporations and lend many crosstraining options. For instance - a person witha degree in finance is considered a "numbers man" and with the right personality would be considered a good option for marketing or sales. (Sales as in gaining large sponsors not selling mickey bars. Although I would LOVE the chance to do that. LOL).
Bottom line, I believe anyone can do anything they put their mind to. Motivation and determination will get you through when nothing else can. I say go for it and I look forward to reading your insider posts when you reach the top! :sohappy:
JenShelby
New Member
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stphnbogert
Original Poster
thanks! that book is already on my list. =D