I have been contemplating my life the last few months, and I think I have decided I want to work at Disney. I'm currently in college entering my second year and I just don't feel passionate about any major that I see. I do feel passionate about Disney World. I'm nineteen years old and have been there sixteen of those years. I want to help keep the magic that I experienced over the years as a child alive. I am a Division 1 athlete so I can't do the college program. My question is, what major should I declare for if I would like a job at Disney? Thanks for anyone who replies and helps out.
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Question about Disney Jobs
- Thread starter SamtheDisneyGuy
- Start date
Depends on where you want to work at Disney...you should pick a focus, because Disney will ask too.
Operations, hotel management, entertainment, facilities, food service, merchandise, etc.....
rsoxguy
Well-Known Member
If I did not take your future seriously, I would simply say that you should avoid any Mickey Mouse courses... ba da bump.
However, your future is important. My thoughts? Don't be so hasty. You are nineteen years old in a college environment, which is to a degree very much a controlled and manufactured environment. Your "passion" may change a few times over the next few years, and you really should take each step with a great deal of caution. A business environment will not turn into a magical experience simply because you are working for Disney. If there are jerks, long hours, and lousy days in the business world, they will also exist at Disney. If you despise a certain field of business twenty years from now, you will be unhappy at Corporateusa, or WDW. Take some time with courses that will lead toward your general interest and wait a few years before you decide to jump into the Disney pool of business infested water. You may find that life has a different path for you altogether.
However, your future is important. My thoughts? Don't be so hasty. You are nineteen years old in a college environment, which is to a degree very much a controlled and manufactured environment. Your "passion" may change a few times over the next few years, and you really should take each step with a great deal of caution. A business environment will not turn into a magical experience simply because you are working for Disney. If there are jerks, long hours, and lousy days in the business world, they will also exist at Disney. If you despise a certain field of business twenty years from now, you will be unhappy at Corporateusa, or WDW. Take some time with courses that will lead toward your general interest and wait a few years before you decide to jump into the Disney pool of business infested water. You may find that life has a different path for you altogether.
CaptainShortty
Well-Known Member
My advice, do something that you enjoy. Chances are you'll be able to fit it into Disney's World once you've graduated. Disney accepts people of all majors and backgrounds and it just depends on where you'd like to work. Don't go for zoology if you'd like to work as a Chef in one of the restaurants. Don't go for merchandise if you want to be an imagineer. Get my point?
Find something you want to do and that makes you happy and go from there. Good Luck!
Find something you want to do and that makes you happy and go from there. Good Luck!
dreamfinder
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Disney is in all purposes, a city unto itself. Business people, tradespeople, creatives, engineers, chefs etc, they employ them all.
Also, you said Disney, did you mean WDW or Disney? Disney has offices all over the country for things such as software development, their web interests, movies, tv, music, merchandise, etc.
To paraphrase the Geico gecko - "Do something you love, and you will never work a day in your life." Lots of people now are having serious career changes midlife as they have realized its not as much fun as you thought it would be. If you get an MBA, and work in the offices at WDW, and you decide you hate business, you will hate the job even if it is WDW.
What do you like? What aspect of Disney? Creative? Interfacing with guests? Running attractions? If you can pick out what you like, be it at Disney or in your day to day life, then that should be what you shoot for. Keep in mind that most of the CMs you run into on a day to day basis are don't have a degree in what they do. I don't think I have seen a college program that offers a degree in attraction maintenance. Perhaps something in the hospitality industry?
graphite1326
Well-Known Member
I agree.
rct247
Well-Known Member
I waited until after I graduated to do the Disney College Program. Just apply your last semester. If you graduate in May, you can apply for the Fall Advantage Program. The Disney College Program will give you a good taste of what working at Disney is like. That way if you don't like it, its only through the end of the year. If you do love it, you can put in for a part-time or full-time position.
As for your major, focus in sometime like business or hospitality and tourism. Of course, many people will tell you also that a degree is a degree. It doesn't matter so much what you got a degree in, just that you went to college. College isn't always about specializing in a specific field, but more about learning to work hard and gain experience with real world situations.
Good luck!
As for your major, focus in sometime like business or hospitality and tourism. Of course, many people will tell you also that a degree is a degree. It doesn't matter so much what you got a degree in, just that you went to college. College isn't always about specializing in a specific field, but more about learning to work hard and gain experience with real world situations.
Good luck!
WASaMATTR
Active Member
I went to Disney ever summer with my family since I was born (back in 1973) until my Junior year in High school. With having such fond memories growing up with Disney, I wanted to work for the mouse too.
So after I graduated high school, I went to my local mall to try to get my foot in the door and applied for a job with the Disney Stores.
Although it is not the same as working for the parks, it is still part of the Disney Company. Working for the Disney Store could be the stepping stone you may find beneficial to make the transfer to the Park one day.
I know a lot of people who worked at the Disney Stores that were able to make the transfer to the Parks just fine.
In any case, like other posters stated, there are many avenues available (some in your backyard) hat will get you into the Company. Once in, you can make your own decisions on which way to go… Good Luck.
So after I graduated high school, I went to my local mall to try to get my foot in the door and applied for a job with the Disney Stores.
Although it is not the same as working for the parks, it is still part of the Disney Company. Working for the Disney Store could be the stepping stone you may find beneficial to make the transfer to the Park one day.
I know a lot of people who worked at the Disney Stores that were able to make the transfer to the Parks just fine.
In any case, like other posters stated, there are many avenues available (some in your backyard) hat will get you into the Company. Once in, you can make your own decisions on which way to go… Good Luck.
Crockett
Banned
Disney doesn't require a college degree for many positions. Experience & people skills weigh heavier.
Experience and people skills weigh heavier for SOME positions.
Certain positions (finance/accounting, Imagineering, graphic design/marketing, animal care) require not only a college degree, but a college degree with a strong transcript and extra curricular activities, often from a tier-one university. Even then, entry level professional positions are very hard to come by. It's not uncommon to see graduates with a four year college degree working in QSR or Merchandise just to "get a foot in the door."
CaptainShortty
Well-Known Member
It really depends on what you're looking to do. It doesn't mean you can't get a job without a degree but it certainly helps A LOT. Some do require degrees (imagineering, animal care) and people skills and at least a certain amount of experience. So do something you love and then find a way to fit into Disney. Don't do it the other way around.