Reaching My Goal

[DisneySaint]

Hey fellow Disney-freaks! To read the following you must be (a) incredibly bored and (b) even more bored. Instead of going into the story all over again for the "nth" time, I'm just going to copy and paste my letter to Disney Casting. I'm seeking the exact same kind of advice from particularly Disney employees, but also people who may be in the same situation as me or of course Disney experts. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing everyone's responses.
(I'm not asking about how the letter is, by the way, I'm seeking answers for the questions in my letter. Act as if I was writing to YOU!)

To Whom It May Concern:

Hello! My name is Joseph "Joey" Gallo. I am a twenty-one year old junior at Louisiana State University actively working to complete my major in communication studies. I have been a Disney fan for as long as I can remember (probably dating back to my first trip at 13 months of age!) and I have been to the parks over a dozen times in my lifetime. Ever since a child it has been my dream to become a part of the magic in Walt Disney World. Of course, my goal of what I was actually going to do has matured and changed with time (from "I wanna make rides!" to the modern communications-related profession).
I stand at a crossroads now; at a point in my life where I need to decide what is realistic, to set ultimate goals, and to (of course) complete college. Hence my reason for writing this letter. Orlando is obviously not right next door and Disney is a high goal to set for myself, but a goal is a goal and I ultimately want to end up there, whether right out of college or ten years down the line.
A little bit of background on me to give you a better idea where I am coming from:
I've chosen communication studies as my major for several reasons. First of all, I was originally taking comm studies classes as electives but fell into total love with them and have since been taking as many as possible a semester. Secondly, I love people - I love interacting with them, talking, listening - every aspect of communication I adore (I work in customer service department at my local department store and love it!). Finally, communication studies is a broad degree; it, in fact, has more job opportunities than any other degree (or so I've been told!). Setting my goal to Disney, as I stated, has been a lifelong dream of mine. In Louisiana, setting your goal anywhere out of state is seen as completely absurd. It's pretty much assumed here that it's just a vicious cycle that you're born here and die here - end of story. So you can imagine when you tell people "I'm going to move to Orlando and work for Disney when I graduate," the looks are less than positively receptive.
Nonetheless, a goal is a goal and now I'm fighting an uphill battle in order to achieve it; hence my writing this letter in a quest for advice. One option I had was to attend the college program at WDW. "Great," I thought, until I thought about all the other things - the girlfriend of 3.5 years and family I'd leave behind, the 6 months extra it would push me back from graduating, and all the smaller details of leaving for six months. So, unfortunately, the college program isn't even an option for me (which I know puts me one step behind everyone who applies for a Disney job the same time as me and they have completed the college program). To make matters worse, I see several of the advanced internships for students who have completed the college program are directly related to communications; especially the "EPCOT Communication and Technology" position which completely describes a type of job that I want to make a living on someday, especially with EPCOT being my favorite park and dream place to sometime work.
My questions spawn from these situations. I want to be in the best possible situation to land a degree-level job in Disney as fast as possible out of college. I've taken a few personal steps so far to help the matter:
--- Job in customer service
--- Expert-level WDW resort knowledge (I've read all the Unofficial, Official, etc. guides ¡K and I read the new issues every year too!)
--- Participation in about half a dozen fan sites with community areas (particularly WDWMAGIC.COM and INTERCOT.COM). I admit - I love hearing the news and especially the rumors!
--- Reading several books including "Be Our Guest" by the Disney Institute, "Keys to the Kingdom", and any other fan and/or professional books.
--- Speaking with my counselor at LSU
--- Mastery of Microsoft Office, Microsoft FrontPage, and all related products.

First and foremost, I am seeking any basic and general advice you have to give me to reach my goal of working a degree-level position at Disney someday. Secondly, is a major in communication studies a good one to have coming over to Disney, or is there another major alltogether I should aim for? Would a Masters degree help? I have to take 14 hours of foreign language - which language would be most beneficial and impressive to Disney? Are there any certain jobs or extra curriculars I should be doing? Any certain courses I should take or reading I should do? Are there any people you recommend I talk to both at Disney and out of Disney? Basically, I would appreciate tremendously any advice at all on things that would help me and my chances out when I ultimately put in my application at Disney. I've pretty much settled on the fact I want to move to Orlando - even if I can't get a job at Disney right off the bat, so I'd like to have the maximum chance to get in with the company when I do ship myself over.
I cannot thank you enough for your time and attention in reading this letter. I know you guys are bogged down with a ton of work 365 days a year, which is why I immensely appreciate your time. Hopefully I can one day set foot in the very building you are reading this letter from and become a part of your great and prosperous country and, not to mention, my favorite place in the world to be.

Sincerely,
Joseph "Joey" J. Gallo, Jr.

 

[Woody13]

The opposite of success is only failure. Just don't worry about it, but, do it in style!

http://www.bartleby.com/141/

 

[DisneySaint]

I have no idea what you just said, but I hope that wasn't a link to show me how bad you thought my writing was!

 

[TURKEY]

So if you get a job, you're going to take your girlfriend and family with you?

It seems that you don't want to work in an entry level job, but are expecting a management type role because you have a degree.

I have a degree in Business Administration with an emphesis on Finance and another degree in Economics. I did the CP, went back as seasonal, and was a campus rep. I still didn't get a management job. I'm dissapointed, but now going FT in a front desk, entry level job.

Disney does most of their hires for management positions internally.


I wouldn't expect a return letter or response.

 

[DisneyJill]

In an effort to not be negative...I think the letter is a nice idea. However, having said that...It's a letter that I could have written myself. Or Brent could have, or Kelly, or a lot of other people that post here or a lot of people that don't post here. We all want that opportunity from Disney, but if we all wrote letters asking to be put ahead of everyone else, would we all get what we wanted or even responses? Doubtful. I, too, have ready every copy of the Birnbaum's Guide cover to cover since 1994. I, too, have read Be Our Guest and Imagineering and Since the World Began and Michael Eisner: A Work in Progress and 2 Walt Disney biography's and the Big Little Book of Disney and the list goes on. I, too, have been to WDW over a dozen times. I, too, participate in fan sites. But, honestly, does that mean a lot to some top level executive? No. I'm leaving in a few days to participate in the CP-in an entry level position, making very little money. But, it's a start, and it's where a lot of people have to start. I wish you tons of luck, because I know what it's like to feel like you know everything you possibly can about Disney and want to do something great there. I truly hope you DO get a positive response, that would be an amazing feeling! But the reality of the situation is, they may say 'Thank you for your interest, please call the Job Line or visit our website to see what positions we are currently hiring for.' Good luck, either way!

 

[DisneySaint]

Woah!

Woah, woah, guys ... I think you're totally misunderstanding everything here. I don't need any more negativity than I'm already facing!

Turkey Leg Boy:
It's not about if I get the job or not out of college. I'll move to Orlando out of college to a small apartment with my wife and just work wherever I can get it until the right position opens. I don't expect a management-level role whatsoever. In fact, I don't like that type of role whatsoever. I just (EVENTUALLY) want a fulltime job with the Walt Disney Company that, as a requirement, wants a college degree. As far as a response from Disney : sure, I don't EXPECT one, but I'm not going to assume they'll just ignore it either.

DisneyJill:
Okay, you completely misunderstood the entire letter. I'm not bragging on what I know or what I've done. I'm sure 90% of the people here could claim AND PROVE knowledge of Disney and customer service eons ahead of me. I'm just a college student - I don't expect I know anything more than anyone. I just want to know what Disney thinks I can do NOW to set myself up in a good position to get a job with Disney as soon as possible out of college. I was listing personal steps I've taken, but I'd like professional advice on some things I could do, courses I could take, etc.

Regarding this :
"But the reality of the situation is, they may say 'Thank you for your interest, please call the Job Line or visit our website to see what positions we are currently hiring for.'"

I completely agree. In fact, that's exactly what I told my mom. They will just reply to me with some generic "Thanks for your interest in WDW ... please check the website for open jobs." BUT, isn't it better for me to say I at least tried? This isn't the only place I've written letters. I've also contacted the Orlando and Florida gov't agencies, UCF, various career counselors, real estate agents, and more ... all in an effort to LEARN and be maximally prepared for my transition to both Orlando and to whatever job I may take out there.

Joey

 

[egionet]

You could possibly apply for the college program the semester after you graduate. That's what Jill and I are currently doing. We are both done with school and will be arriving in Disney in a few days. I hope to get a full time job when I'm finished the CP (which as we all know is easy said than done), possibly in Casting, which my psych degree will hopefully help out with.

As for your girlfriend, it's great that you're thinking about her. But you can't live your life around her. If this is what you want to do, she'll understand you leaving for a little while. Sure it will be hard, but it certainly can be done. I dated a guy for 3 years and he lived in SC and I lived in CT. And although we went to school together, we didn't see each other during summer or Christmas breaks. Of course, he and I can't be in the same room any more, but it's not due to the fact that we broke things off because of distance. You also say you can't do the CP because you don't want to leave your family. But if you plan on moving to Orlando anyway, you're going to eventually have to leave them.

And please don't fret about not graduating on time. It's not that big of a deal. I started school in SC, transfer to a school in CT, and then back to SC. I've had 3 majors as well as a long period of time when I wanted to change it again. And now I'm graduating in May, and I'm getting to do the CP.

If you do want this that badly, I would think that you would do whatever it takes to get the job you desire. The letter is a good idea, although I don't think it will accomplish anything. If I were you, I would rethink the CP. If it's not the right choice, that's fine. But I hope you find a better way to get your foot in the door. Remember there are a lot of other college kids out there, me included, who want a job with the company just as much as you. And we are willing to move, take the not so good pay, and take a lower level position for it.

 

[DisneySaint]

Originally posted by egionet
You could possibly apply for the college program the semester after you graduate. That's what Jill and I are currently doing. We are both done with school and will be arriving in Disney in a few days. I hope to get a full time job when I'm finished the CP (which as we all know is easy said than done), possibly in Casting, which my psych degree will hopefully help out with.

Not a bad idea, actually. Will they accept college grads? (I guess so if they did you guys). It may be a good option to do that and work on my Masters or something. Thing is, though, I'd be MOVING down there, so I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the Disney-supplied housing.

As for your girlfriend, it's great that you're thinking about her. But you can't live your life around her. If this is what you want to do, she'll understand you leaving for a little while. Sure it will be hard, but it certainly can be done. I dated a guy for 3 years and he lived in SC and I lived in CT. And although we went to school together, we didn't see each other during summer or Christmas breaks. Of course, he and I can't be in the same room any more, but it's not due to the fact that we broke things off because of distance.

Never ever estimate anyone else's relationship - tip from a comms person. No two relationships are alike (and that isn't limited to just girlfriend/boyfriend). My girlfriend is fairly poor and works her rear off to get by. She lives in a small guest house attached to my neighbor's house and does rely heavily on my support. On top of that, I have a current job that I enjoy and in a company that needs me, particularly for my experience. I plan on proposing to her on our May Disney trip, so I really don't and will never feel comfortable leaving. On top of all this, I've already missed a semester of college due to having to work grind to pay for my sophmore year (long story, ask me sometime). I am extremely ready to graduate ASAP, even if it means I'll be working the same type of job I am NOW for a few years, so the thought of pushing it back even more is a no-no.

You also say you can't do the CP because you don't want to leave your family. But if you plan on moving to Orlando anyway, you're going to eventually have to leave them.

Of course I know that, I'm just saying I'm not in a position to right now, because I rely on them and they rely on me (my dad is legally blind with retinal pigmentosis and almost-deaf in both ears, so I have to help drive him to work and do miscellaneous things.)

And please don't fret about not graduating on time. It's not that big of a deal. I started school in SC, transfer to a school in CT, and then back to SC. I've had 3 majors as well as a long period of time when I wanted to change it again. And now I'm graduating in May, and I'm getting to do the CP.

See as I stated above. I do and will fret because I am ready to be done with school. I've pushed it back a year total already between the semester out and two consecutive semsters of taking 9 hours then 12 hours only, respectively.

If you do want this that badly, I would think that you would do whatever it takes to get the job you desire.

...which is my basis for it all in the first place.

The letter is a good idea, although I don't think it will accomplish anything.

Well at least I tried!

If I were you, I would rethink the CP. If it's not the right choice, that's fine. But I hope you find a better way to get your foot in the door. Remember there are a lot of other college kids out there, me included, who want a job with the company just as much as you. And we are willing to move, take the not so good pay, and take a lower level position for it.

1. I totally understand there are LOADS of people with priority over me - both because of location, knowledge, education, and even motivation (I'm sure there are some hardcore gung-ho apply-every-day people).
2. Don't think I've set my standards so high. I'm not going to walk in there Day 1 and be like "Give me a high-paying, secure, degree-level position doing something I like!". I understand that you have to take risks, you have to lower your standards, and you may even have to look elsewhere either to gain experience or to just wait for a job opening.
3. I'm sure only a small fraction of the current degree-level employees at Disney actually went through the CP or an internship, so that's what I like to count on. I try to stay as positive as possible, without being overly optimistic.

 

[DisneyJill]

Joey-I wasn't trying to sound negative or harsh. The realist in me took over while writing the reply. But...you asked for opinions...and you got them. No one here, not Brent, not Beth, and not I, are trying to criticize. We've all been there--and we're all just offering advice. Like I said before, either way it goes for you--best of luck, and I truly hope it works out for you.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Just to clarify one point: If you decided to wait until after college to move down and participate in the CP, you would be able to take advantage of the CP Housing for the length of your program, even if you planned on staying with the company after your CP time was up.

You wouldn't save much money to prepare yourself to make other accomodations after your program, since rent still comes out of your paycheck, with some adjustment for the "free" utilities and the like you get on the CP, but it would certainly be cheaper than some living options you could make in Orlando.

Edit: I forgot that you plan on marrying your girlfriend soon, so this still might not be something you'd consider, but..well...it's an option anyway.

 

[DisneySaint]

I received a reply from Disney today in the mail. I will post either a scan of it or a summary soon. Just wanted to keep everyone posted.