Getting Down to Business

My Marketing Exploration Series instructor gave us some great advice that I truly think is important to a successful College Program. Sure, you can just come down here and work all day and play in the parks on your days off. But there's so much more to do and see, and there are so many opportunities to take advantage of to really help yourself grow, both as an individual and as a professional.

His advice on making the most of your College Program experience:

• Establish a relationship with your leaders.
• Network, and seek out information
• Visit the Disney Learning Center
• Attend College Program Alumni Speaker Series events

I have been trying my best to take his advice to heart. I know that at least two of my nine managers at Cosmic Ray's are former CP's. I haven't yet had the opportunity to sit down with them and talk about their experience or advice, but I do plan on taking a few minutes to talk about their College Program experience and what paths they took to their current role. 

In terms of networking, I have already established a good relationship with the Entertainment Manager for Fantasmic and Beauty and the Beast over at Hollywood Studios. She has been an excellent resource and was quite helpful in explaining her educational and work history. 

I have also been attending the "My Disney Career" courses offered for students on the College Program. There are 5 courses, each one focusing on a segment of the "Marketing You" course also offered on the Program. Instead of taking the full Marketing You course, with homework and tests, they offer 5 individual classes. There is Networking 101, Acing the Interview, Résumé Writing, Personal Branding, as well as Image Excellence. If you take all 5 classes, you receive a certificate. Hopefully I will be able to fit all 5 into my schedule. So far, I have taken 3... I still need to take Networking 101 and Résumé Writing. 

All in all, I am definitely excited about all of the learning opportunities that are provided to participants of the College Program. I know that when I leave here in January, I will come out of it a changed person, filled with new knowledge and insight that will most definitely help me in the future.