Thinking of packing it up.

[tractorm3]

Well another one of my crazy ideas, or is it? I am just finsihing up my 2nd year of college and I want a change of scenery but it is a huge leap here so I wanted to see if any of my thoughts seem plausable. I live in MA in the boston area and I was thinking of moving out of moms and heading down to Orlando and working for the disney company. So ill need a place down there which should not be a problem but ill need a job more than any thing. I have no idea what disney is looking for in a resume, but I have a pretty good one being the manager for Sears and also running my own landscape business for over 6 years. I was looking for some thing maybe in Disney's horticultural/landscape department but this is only my first real baby step and I suspect it will get shot down quick however there may be a chance!

 

[One Lil Spark]

If you're in college, try applying for the CP now and check out working for WDW. If once you graduate you are still in love with the idea of packing it up and moving down to Florida, then go for it.

Just my recommendation. :wave:

 

[SeaBreeze]

If you're in college, try applying for the CP now and check out working for WDW. If once you graduate you are still in love with the idea of packing it up and moving down to Florida, then go for it.

Just my recommendation. :wave:

I agree! I was completely burnt out after my second year of college, so I know how you feel but I took an internship for 6 months and it completely refreshed me. Try to get a CP, or perhaps just a summer job (ew, hot weather though), at WDW for a break... and a preview of what you'll be getting into. Or maybe take an internship that will build your resume to lock in your dream job at WDW. Just my thoughts :wave:

 

[tractorm3]

maybe, but im at the point when im realizing when college may not be for me, so an internship I am not putting alot of stock into. I started out fine with engineering but not going to lie its tough and I have speculation i may not meet a min gpa to continue college. you think t is much more expensive then living in the boston area?

Working outside in the heat does not phase me to much I mean I am a landscaper so taking days off for heat is not what I am about.

At Sears I make around $11.00/hr plus bennifits, nothing like that available?

 

[SeaBreeze]

I'm an engineer myself so I realllllly understand how you feel. I was on the verge of dropping out and actually wound up taking 8 months off to do two internships. I eventually got an internship with WDW engineering, and while that paid quite well, I don't think you'll easily find an $11/hr job at WDW. It's summertime now so I'm betting you can probably find some decently cheap subleases. Maybe get a summer job with WDW and see how it goes? You can always extend for the fall semester if you want. I wouldn't completely set myself up to leave college; engineering burn out is a big deal, but a college degree is def worth it in the long run. (ie, many of my friends were doing unpaid internships; my first internship paid over $20/hour, plus my housing and travel.)

Anyway, experiment but keep options open. That's always a good plan

 

[TowerOfTerror]

Most jobs at Disney are $8.25 and under. It's pretty hard for a out of state applicant to find more than entry level position down there. I have been applying to several jobs down in Orlando. Most don't call you if you are out of state or they will not pay you more than you are making now even if you have experience. If you could move down there and work for Sears and work for Disney part time or seasonal that would be your best bet. The only other piece of advice is to take a entry level position and HOPE a lead or management position opens up.

 

[progroupie]

I would try the college program before making any major plans. It would give you a chance to do some networking which would give you a better chance at eventually getting a job in the horticulture area. It isn't the same thing as a real internship so if you do decide college isn't for you, you didn't really lose anything. They pay on the CP is low and you won't be in a role that has anything to do with horticulture but it does give you the chance to meet people, it provides you with a cheap place to live for the time being, etc.

 

[wedway71]

Just and idea......
Like you I am Retail Mgt. I always look outside the box for many things.

You want to work for Disney?
You have Retail Mgt experience?

Why not stay close to home for a year or so and get on with Disney Store in a Mgt Position.Now that Disney store is owned by Disney put a few years in and transfer to WDW in a Merchandise Mgt position.

Few years back I knew a Manager for Disney Store. She had a love for Disney and and strong retail backround.She worked for Disney Store for 2 years and then transfered to WDW in a Mgt role in Merchandise.Last time I spoke I heard from her she was in Merchandise planning for WDW and was thinking abou tmoving to Cali to work in MGT for DL Merchandise Team.

 

[tractorm3]

joey what was your postion and average check if you dont mind me asking. do they mandate the 80 hour weeks or was it to make ends meet?

no one has said a word about bennifits? thats a must but i suppose i could get a job at a local sears. it is easy to transfer.

 

[progroupie]

Honestly just because you hated working long hours and felt like it was slave labor doesn't mean everyone will feel that way. I worked plenty of 80 hour weeks, quite a few 20 hour long shifts, and was able to support myself and I really enjoyed my job. If the poster was looking for a job to support a wife and kids, I'd say no way to working at Disney, but for a single college age kid, it isn't quite so hard to make ends meet working at Disney unless you're accustomed to a very swank lifestyle or simply can't budget well at all.

 

[vwayfan123]

Most jobs at Disney are $8.25 and under. It's pretty hard for a out of state applicant to find more than entry level position down there. I have been applying to several jobs down in Orlando. Most don't call you if you are out of state or they will not pay you more than you are making now even if you have experience. If you could move down there and work for Sears and work for Disney part time or seasonal that would be your best bet. The only other piece of advice is to take a entry level position and HOPE a lead or management position opens up.

thats exactly why he should start out with the cp. they hire EVERYONE. ive never heard of anyone not getting accepted, plus how some people got jobs and keep jobs there is beyond me....

 

[vwayfan123]

Disney will hire anyone who can fog a mirror...this is why the service and quality has gone down over the years. Good employees are hard to find for what Disney wants to pay.

not to mention the union workers...

 

[AndrewRnR]

I moved down here. To me the pay isn't too bad. I don't mind putting in the hours so once overtime kicks in it adds up nicely. The big plus is the tution reimubursement. Disney is paying for pretty much in full two classes a semester for me. That my friend is where it is worth it (yeah, yeah I know most places offer a program like that now, but at Disney is helps make the low wages not look too bad).

It really is about how much you want to work. Some people work the basic 32-40 hour week. You won't make much that way. There was a few weeks I picked up shifts and I worked maybe a total of 75 hours. That was one nice paycheck and covered my month's rent.

What I told a few others when they first came down here... if you are willing to work hard you will not only impress a few people (sometimes...) but your pay checks won't be horrible. Extending to work 9/10 hours a day instead of 8 and getting the extra few bucks each day for the overtime adds up in the long run.

 

[mkt]

Well another one of my crazy ideas, or is it? I am just finsihing up my 2nd year of college and I want a change of scenery but it is a huge leap here so I wanted to see if any of my thoughts seem plausable. I live in MA in the boston area and I was thinking of moving out of moms and heading down to Orlando and working for the disney company. So ill need a place down there which should not be a problem but ill need a job more than any thing. I have no idea what disney is looking for in a resume, but I have a pretty good one being the manager for Sears and also running my own landscape business for over 6 years. I was looking for some thing maybe in Disney's horticultural/landscape department but this is only my first real baby step and I suspect it will get shot down quick however there may be a chance!

Stay in school, vacation in WDW.

Compared to Boston, Orlando is a wasteland.

 

[coasterphil]

Crazy idea, finish college.

 

[sylvesterT21]

I would really recommend going for the college program...that way you'll get to test out the waters and see if you really could handle working at disney full time...plus they make housing easy and you start out with a job so you don't have to worry about finding employment

I also don't want to impose my personal values on you...but I would recommend continuing your education...maybe Engineering isn't your best subject, but I bet you can find something that interests you that you can do well in.. I would at least give it a shot....but it's up to you.

 

[PinMadness]

There are horticulture professional internships that will help get your foot in the door.

 

[Fluxuated]

How do you people live on $8.25/h? I'm having a hard enough time with my $33.40/h nevermind 8 bucks. WOW! I'd be living in a cardboard box eating Fruit Loops.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

How do you people live on $8.25/h? I'm having a hard enough time with my $33.40/h nevermind 8 bucks. WOW! I'd be living in a cardboard box eating Fruit Loops.

Depending on where you are...cost of living is different. But it must be very difficult and that is why some others have mentioned that it isn't worth it. Some people don't mind 80 hour weeks to make ends meet though. It all depends on your outlook.

 

[Fluxuated]

Depending on where you are...cost of living is different. But it must be very difficult and that is why some others have mentioned that it isn't worth it. Some people don't mind 80 hour weeks to make ends meet though. It all depends on your outlook.

Yeah I guess you have a point, I work 48 hours a week, and anymore means I'll see my kids when I retire, so I choose not to go past 48. I can't imagine working 80 hours a week with a family.