I got to see Minnie Mouse after class one day!
Jessica Pineda is a former Cougar News correspondent. Currently, she is in Florida taking part in a Walt Disney World internship program. From time to time, she will write about her experiences in Florida and at the “Magic Kingdom.”
My Disney College Program experience has been nothing less than amazing and unforgettable. Lately, I have been so occupied with work and planning for the future.
Despite the perk of having the ability to visit the theme parks whenever I’d like, I haven’t had much time to spend there beyond a few hours before my shifts or after class.
You read correctly. Even while living at Walt Disney World, I cannot escape Monday morning 8 a.m. classes, homework, or lectures.
I am enrolled in a Corporate Communications collegiate course and an Exploring Disney Heritage seminar series. Both are classes that I enjoy thoroughly and look forward to waking up at 7 a.m. to go to each week!
In addition, I have been attending Disney Career Development workshops that guide attendees on how to further their career with skills such as resume writing, networking, and much more!
I have also been accepted and will be attending California State University, Fullerton in the fall to study Communications!
Now, I must apply for scholarships, figure out how I will be paying for school, make living arrangements, plan my academic path, and apply for at Disneyland.
In the midst of all this planning, during Disney Heritage, my facilitator told our class a motto I will never forget.
“Bloom where you are planted.”
He meant that, if you have something great planned for the future, one must not forget to first excel where he is presently.
Often times, high school and college students are unenthusiastic about where they are at the time: sitting in a boring lecture, drowning in oceans of homework, or stocking shelves at a retail store—all the while dreaming about where they would ultimately like to be and what they plan to do after graduation.
The reality is, in order to reach that career goal, in order to get accepted to the perfect graduate school or get promoted to that management position, you must go above and beyond in that seemingly irrelevant general education class and part-time cashier job that doesn’t seem to be anywhere near what you “really want to do.”
They are not irrelevant at all.
These positions are the proving grounds for where you would like to end up in the future.
The networking you do and contributions you make now can lead you further down your career path.
In fact, George Kalogridis, the President of the Walt Disney World Resort, began his career bussing tables at Disney’s Contemporary Resort while he was in college.
From there, he climbed up the corporate ladder and is now overseeing a team of over 60,000 Cast Members.
Do everything with passion. Do everything with your best effort.
My role as an intern at Walt Disney World is a stepping-stone. I have been creating magic and learning as much as I can, in the hopes that it will help me grow within the company.
Achieving dreams is an art that requires the perfect balance of planning and doing your best work where you are now.
The attraction poster for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom!
In Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, the main character at the end of each phase of history looks forward to what the future holds singing, “There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of everyday, and tomorrow’s just a dream away!”
A great, big, beautiful tomorrow awaits you. So, be sure to dream and work hard today!
Want to see more about my Disney College Program experience? Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Flickr!
A beautiful tomorrow begins blooming today!
