I interviewed for a Disney Professional Internship (and got it!)

Each semester, thousands of young hopefuls apply for a Professional Internship with the Walt Disney Company. These internships can take place in many different locations - New York City, Burbank, San Francisco, and Orlando.

With positions in Engineering, Management, Marketing, Recruitment, and almost everything else under the sun, it can become overwhelming to understand how the process actually goes. That's why I'm here.

I wanted to share with you all the journey I took towards accepting my Professional Internship in Corporate Citizenship with the Walt Disney Company. This path is specific to what I have experienced, so just keep in mind that these words are not uniform to what everyone will experience. I wrote this to share my unique journey to show you all one way that this can happen and hopefully encourage you that your dreams CAN come true with a little faith, a lot of hard work, and endless amounts of pixie dust.

The Disney College Program

I knew from a very young age that I loved Disney. Along with my wonderful parents, I was practically raised by Mary Poppins herself. My mom and aunt both worked for Imagineering, too, so I guess you could say that I had Disney in my blood.

After years of painfully waiting through high school and freshman year of college, I was finally able to apply for the Spring 2016 Disney College Program. I applied, interviewed and got accepted for Merchandise at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom.

To my lovely recruiter Linda (if you are somehow reading this): I don't know how you did it, but you so perfectly placed me at this location in this role. You must be a fairy godmother of sorts, because I couldn't have imagined my college program anywhere else. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

(Sorry, I get a little misty eyed thinking about my location.)

​In January, I relocated to Florida for my grand adventure. From January to July, I found 5 of my best friends in my roommates, I found a work family of the most magical, encouraging and high-spirited magic makers and I absolutely fell in love with the Walt Disney Company. July 28th was one of the hardest days of my life, ending my present time as a cast member.

I moved back to Missouri to finish my degree, explore different internships and positions (check those out here) and learn as much as I could about my degree.

Then, applications for Fall 2018 Professional Internships dropped.

The Applications & The Waiting

Take this with a grain of salt - there is NO magic number for how many internships to apply for. I went all-in on 15, including a Disney College Program. If it had the words "marketing," "communications," or "social media" in the title, my application was in that pool. I spent most of my time outside of class perfecting my resume, writing (and rewriting) my cover letter and submitting applications left and right.

Now, don't get me wrong - I was excited about each position that I had applied for. I felt very qualified and ready to get to work. However, one position stuck out to me more than the others - Corporate Citizenship.

I knew any Professional Internship would be magical, but this position seemed to have been written by Fairy Godmother herself and placed in my lap. The moment I saw this posting, a spark went off and out loud, alone in a coffee shop, surrounded by strangers, I said "I have to apply for this."

I submitted my thoroughly edited resume and cover letter on February 7th, had a phone screening interview on February 19th, and embarked on the hardest waiting period of my life.

In the waiting, I tried to occupy myself by researching the Corporate Citizenship department of Disney, diving into my church and bible studies, and making sure to take every moment captive during my last semester of college. I checked my dashboard once every morning, but I worked hard to not dwell on the waiting and keep the faith that things would turn out.

I'm not going to lie - this wait was difficult. I slowly got NLIC after NLIC (which means you're No Longer In Consideration for a role) and tried to stay positive about the positions I had left, knowing Corporate Citizenship was where I wanted to be.

Late March, I was sitting in my living room with my roommates and my friend Brooke. Mid conversation, I got an email to set up a panel interview for Corporate Citizenship! April 2nd, I got to speak with a few members of the team and we discussed my resume, my understanding of the position, and what kinds of possible projects could be part of this role.

Feeling good about the interview, I hung up with a smile, said a prayer, sent a thank-you email, and went about my Wednesday.

The Acceptance

About three weeks later, on April 25th, I got the call that I was officially offered the Corporate Citizenship role with Disney!

And to be completely honest, I haven't stopped smiling since last Wednesday. I am so humbled and over the moon to start this position. I will be moving to Orlando early June to start my absolute dream position, and I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity!

I hope to keep this blog updated with my journeys and adventures throughout my Disney Professional Internship, but feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with my new Orlando adventure.

I bid you adieu and until next time!

DISCLAIMER: This understanding and journey is all created in my own words and does not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company. For more information on Professional Internships, click here.

#disneycollegeprogram #disneyprofessionalinternships #PI #DPI #DCP #Disneyjourney