On March 13th, 2014 I randomly decided to apply for the Disney College Program. I know a lot of people have these amazing stories about how they went to Disneyland/world when they were 3 years old and dreamt of working for Disney ever since, but that wasn't the case for me. I applied on a whim while procrastinating a reading assignment for a history class. I have always been a Disney fanatic, but I've never even been to Disneyland or Disney World!
The online application was very simple. It asked basic questions like any other job application; where do you live, where do you go to school, if you would want Disneyland or Disney World, Fall or Fall Advantage, stuff like that. The next day I received an email saying that I was selected to participate in a web-based interview. I was able to take this as soon as I received the email. The email also said that I would notified right after this web-based interview if I would move on to a phone interview or not, so you know... no pressure.
Going into the web-based interview, all I could think of was what would Disney want in an employee, what are they looking for? After the intro to it, I completely my mindset. It literally said don't answer the questions how you think we want them answered, just be yourself. The web-based interview consisted of a list of traits and I had to say if I felt that trait described me or not. I was 100% honest in my answers, staying true to myself and not what I thought Disney would be looking for. It also listed every role you could possibly receive working for Disney and I had to put how much interest, if any at all, I had in each role. After answering these questions, I was told I was a strong candidate for the Disney College Program. This was the best feeling ever!
I immediately got another email telling me how to set up my phone interview. They gave me a series of times, and I had to select which one worked out best for me. Unfortunately I took the web-based interview on a Friday afternoon so I had to wait all the way until Monday for my phone interview. That weekend I thought about NOTHING else. I spent my mornings, afternoons, and nights watching videos of people who were currently in the DCP or had been in the past. The more I watched, I more I wanted to take part in it.
I should also add that at this point, I didn't tell ANYONE I had applied. I was scared I wouldn't get in and didn't want to have that awkward conversation with everyone, so I thought it would just be easier if no one knew. It was really hard to keep this to myself. In my excitement I made a stupid Facebook post about how I made an impulsive decision, and I would know later if it was a good one or not. To my surprise, this post BLEW UP. Who knew everyone cared about my life so much?? Everyone from college friends, to old teachers, to my mother needed to know what this decision was. Then the guesses started rolling in... I got everything from switching my major, to getting a tattoo, to shaving my head.
Anyway back on topic, Monday FINALLY rolled around and I had my interview. Waiting for them to call was the longest 3 minutes of my life. My interviewer was very nice. She asked me questions that you would expect to be asked. Why I want to work for Disney, what my top 3 role choices would be, how I would handle certain situations (a child crying because they are too short for a ride/angry parents for the same reason, the repetitiveness of merchandise). When the interview was over, I honestly had no idea how it went. I thought some of my answers were great, and others weren't so great. She told me it would be 2-3 weeks before I would get my decision email... cool, more waiting.
A lot of people have to wait nearly 3 weeks for their decision, but since I was towards the end of the application deadline, I only had to wait 11 days for that amazing CONGRATULATIONS email!! I was chosen for Disney World for Fall in Merchandise.
Let the adventures begin!
