The End of the Beginning

My Disney College Program internship experience officially concluded on January 2nd. I spent the day packing up my things and saying goodbyes to all the people I've spent the last 5 months with. I didn't really expect it to be as sentimental as it was…sure, I expected to be sad, but for an experience that lasted just under half a year, the DCP turned out to be a pretty pivotal experience in my life.

I've been MIA for the last week while getting everything ready to depart from the program. Per usual, I didn't start packing until the night before/the morning of departure, but I was able to get everything put together before we did our final check out. It's funny how many things you can accumulate over the course of a few months…I came to the program with two suitcases and duffle bag worth of supplies, but I feel like I left with enough stuff to furnish a small apartment. Go figure!

Of course, the big question on everyone's lips has been, "Josh, when are you coming home?" Well, I finally have an answer, though it's not necessarily the one that will please everyone: Not soon. I received a phone call right before College Program graduation asking me to interview for a position in Disney's Anaheim-based administration building, Team Disney Anaheim. The opening called for a "Training Tool Developer," someone who takes professional documents like training guides and does proofreading, editing, and other types of style-based analysis. Since I got my degree in English I felt like it'd be foolish not to at least go in and try the interview. Turns out that interview went better than I expected…they offered me the job! That didn't make the next step easy, though.

To be honest, I'd really planned on coming home after my internship concluded. I didn't really think that I'd end up with a potential career route here in California, but I also really wasn't ready to leave my friends and family in the Midwest. And to be honest, I'm still not ready for it. I haven't been home since my program started in mid-August, and I feel like I never truly said any goodbyes since I thought I'd be coming back in January. But it seems that between the networking and working in the park, I was able to make things play out even better for my career than I'd planned. I felt torn in two when they called to offer me the job because I didn't want to desert my home or friends, and I still don't. But the opportunity to do professional editing for an internationally-recognized company was just too valuable a prospect to pass up, so I accepted the position. I start next Monday, bright and early at 9 AM.

So, as I walked out of Carnegie Plaza and said my goodbyes, it truly felt like the end of the beginning. Sure, there's an opportunity out there for development and growth that I'll be taking on with this position, but I also feel like I'm leaving two families behind on the way. For one, I'll be missing all of my people from the Midwest..my real family back in Rockford, my friends from Rockford and Charleston...that's a family to me. Then I'll also be leaving my College Program family, the group that disbanded. Even though we'll keep in touch and all that, it'll never be the same. There was a lot of comfort in just being able to go across the hall or down the stairs and be with close friends, but now we'll all be venturing into new grounds. Whether we're taking on jobs or other internships in the real world, going back to schools or friends that aren't the same as when we left, or simply going home to figure out things from there, it's all going to be different. And it'll be intimidating. But we'll all be alright in the long-run as we venture into the unknown. I met some of the most dynamic, talented, creative people I've ever met during my 5 months in the College Program, and I wish them all the best of luck. In the meantime, I'll be camping out here in Cali trying to see just how things are going to turn out for me.

Unfortunately, as this is the end of my program, this is also the end of this blog. Farewell to the Finding Nemo background, as I'm getting ready to move on to other things. This new job will have me working 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, but I'll also still be working occasionally at Nemo to scrounge up some extra cash or cover for when they're in need. Maybe we never truly "leave behind" the past, but just carry it with us as we progress into the future. Yeah, I like that idea. I'll certainly be coming home, soon if I can help it, but right now I'll keep you all with me as I move into my personal unknown. Thanks for the support, the well wishes, and the reminders when I forgot to post! I've loved writing for you all, and I hope everyone keeps in touch! Enjoy 2011!

-Josh

A Week Until Big Changes

Well, folks, there's only one week left in the program. After it's over I'll be leaving this blog behind for fresher waters...get it? Fresher "waters?" The background's a water thing....with fish in it...whatever.

Yesterday was the first Christmas that I spent away from my family, and I have to say that it reminded me what it's really like being out in the world on your own. We've been doing a lot to keep things high-energy here in the apartment since the program's winding down; on Christmas Eve the "roommates" all went out to a Chinese food restaurant and had a great time talking and enjoying each other's company. It was the first time in a while that we were all together, but it was totally worth it.


In case you were wondering, the chopsticks that Ron is holding are Star Wars lightsaber chopsticks. Pretty awesome.

I know that I've spent the last couple weeks talking a lot about how the program's almost over, but I have to say that it's been a pretty significant topic in my mind. To be honest, the lifestyle here has been completely different than anything I've experienced before, and I don't really know what I'm going to do after it's over. I've got a couple prospects that I'm investigating as far as employment is concerned, but internally I'm pretty torn. I haven't been home in forever, and though I'm generally not the type to get homesick, I miss the family and friends that are buried in the snow right now. :)

Still, the park's been pretty lively the past few days. It was a bizarre Christmas here in SoCal, and the fireworks show that Disneyland does every night during peak season almost got rained out! The better part of the day was clear skies and sunshine, but later on things got a bit messy...I'd been assigned to fireworks crowd control for the evening (we call it GSO: Guest Service Operation, maybe?), and of course I didn't bring any raingear because I didn't think it was going to rain...none of us did! It started raining about 5 minutes before the fireworks started, and by the time my shift was over my costume's wool coat was SOAKED. Trust me, it smelled TERRIBLE this morning. But I got a new one for today's shift, so I'll be alright.

In the meantime, I don't get a break until New Year's Day since New Year's Eve is my last scheduled College Program shift. Everyone has said that the park is completely PACKED during New Year's Eve, so I'm a little apprehensive...but I'm sure it'll be an interesting experience. They actually closed off admission to Disneyland on Christmas Day because so many people were in the park, though they were still letting people into the sister park, California Adventure. They're going to end up letting more people into the park on New Year's Eve, which means wait times are going to be MISERABLE. Think about this for perspective: Nemo traditionally has a 20-minute wait time, but on Christmas it went up to 90 MINUTES. And we load anywhere from 80-120 people every 5 minutes. Yeah, there were that many people. Absolutely ridiculous.

Well, I'm going to have to get some sleep so I can be ready for this hectic week. College Program, you've definitely given me a run for my money...now all I've gotta do is come up with some grown-up New Year's resolutions. Resolution 1: Pay student loans...

-Josh

In the D-Box

Well, explorers, I'm writing this in a movie theatre! Yep, watching TRON: Legacy for the SECOND time. I really enjoyed it the first time, but this time I'll be watching it in the D-Box. What is the D-Box, you ask? Motion-related seating! It's the only setup in Southern California, and we're living it up! Look it up while I watch the movie!

-Josh

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

The Network and The Graduation

Sorry it's been so long since I posted last. Things have been a little crazy lately, and my friend Aryn from back home in Rockford came out to LA to visit in the middle of this past week, so that hasn't given me much time to write! Regardless, I'm back! Good news, right?


From the last post: The Business Network

I've networked with a ton of interesting people since I got to California, ranging from all sorts of different lines of business. A couple of the highlights have been:

Chris Troutt, Learning and Development Manager at Disney Interactive Media Group: I met with Chris early in the program, and he was a real joy to talk to. He used to work at Disneyland but moved to Disney Interactive so that he could do a bit more of the work in Learning Development that he wanted to do. I really had a blast meeting him; he showed me around various areas in the DIMG building including a room where tons of people were playing characters in various Disney online games like Pixie Hollow and Toontown Online. It was a fantastic experience and if I ever got the opportunity, I'd love to pick up a job at DIMG.

Rob Garza and Tracy Siudzinski, Instructional Writing for the Walt Disney Company: Chris recommended that I talk to Rob Garza after I met with him. Rob writes instructional materials for various attractions and roles across the entire Disneyland Resort system, and when I met with him he brought Tracy along to speak as well. Tracy was a relatively new hire in the department, hired just a couple months before I was. Both Rob and Tracy were really kind and told me about their job, but they were also really personable. Rob also was an English major coming out of college and is very sarcastic (like me). I enjoyed seeing an element of professional writing in the Disney Company, and the things they told me gave me a bit of hope that I might be able to land a professional writing job myself soon!

Chris Carle, Entertainment Editorial Director at IGN.com: I met Chris when I went to a networking event in Beverly Hills, and we met up at a pretty slick-looking restaurant called Spanish Kitchen. It was interesting just to be in Beverly Hills and see all the different stores and whatnot that contained furniture that I'd never be able to afford to put in my house at the rate I'm going, hehe. Still, meeting with him was a great time. He used to work in the video games section of IGN, and so we talked about various gaming things and he gave me a few tips about how to try and prepare myself to get into game journalism more than what I'm doing for 411Mania. He was a really chill guy, and I'm hoping we keep in touch.

Honestly, networking happens all over the place out here. It seems like I just randomly talk to people and find out that they're actors, writers, or otherwise involved in industries that I want to work with. I'm telling you, southern California is a completely different animal than anything else I've ever encountered.



The Graduation!



Yep, that's right everyone: I've graduated! Again! Disney College Program graduation took place this past Friday at the Disneyland Hotel, and it was a pretty great experience. Here are some photo highlights:


My friends from Nemo (well, a large number of them)! They're a pretty inventive, dynamic crew, and they've definitely made my experience at Nemo worthwhile.


The housing complex peeps! In one way or another, everyone in this picture is a "roommate" of mine, whether we actually live in the same apartment, or just hang out with each other so much that we may as well live together! If you can't tell, they're a really fun group of people. This program wouldn't have been the same without them, and I'm sure going to miss tons of them when we all part ways at the beginning of next month.

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you can see tons more of the DCP graduation photos on my Facebook. I had a great time with my friends, and the ceremony itself was like a traditional graduation, complete with a stage walk. I'd give lots to do the program all over again, but alas, that isn't possible; the time for all this to end is coming up quickly. In the meantime, I'm trying to live each day up to its fullest. I'm going to be working tons in the next couple weeks, but that'll make the paychecks worthwhile! :)

Anyway, everyone have a great night! I'll see you on Wednesday!

-Josh

Sorry....

My friend Aryn is in town tonight! Hanging out with her! Talk to you soon!

-Josh

Just so you know...

I'll be blogging tomorrow. Sorry, but I'm completely drained and need to sleep for work tomorrow. Sweet dreams, all!

-Josh

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

The Business Network

Alright, so for those of you thinking about doing the Disney College Program, either in Anaheim or in Orlando, I've got one suggestion for you: NETWORK. Network hard, network fast, network strong, from the second you step foot on the pavement. Now, of course, this concept of "networking" is one that people have started talking about all over the place, particularly since the economy is in such dire straits lately, but tonight I'm going to give you the quick overview of exactly what networking entails, and how to do it effectively (which I'll admit I've slipped up on a few times).

What is Networking?
Business networking revolves around the age-old saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know." Tons of people are out there applying for all the same jobs that you are, and sometimes even if you have the best resume, cover letter, and set of credentials, you still won't get the job. Why? Because someone else networked and got the personal connection.

Networking it all about making personal contacts with people in the fields that you're interested in, finding out more about their jobs and trying to show them that you're a viable candidate for the job. At the same time, you're figuring out if the job they're doing is really something you're interested in. These events usually happen in 15-30 minute meetings that you arrange with the person you want to talk to. Usually people are more than happy to set aside some time to talk with you about what's going on at their place of business. These kinds of meetings aren't about trying to get a job, though; it's all about creating a network of people so that if an opportunity arises, you stand a better chance of getting chosen if you apply.

How Do I Do It? Networking Dos

• Assemble a good resume, business card, and cover letter
Trust me, even though you're not actually interviewing for a job when you're networking, you need to walk into every networking opportunity with the idea that you could be offered a job right there on the spot. That means you need to be completely prepared for anything, and your job-search sword-and-shield combo is your business card and resume. If the situation calls for it, be prepared to hand anyone who asks a copy of all three of those items.
• Ask for more contacts
You don't ever want your network to hit a dead-end. If you know what area you want to work in, you want to keep pushing in the direction of success by talking to new people. At the end of your networking meeting, don't be afraid to ask your interviewee if they can think of any other people you should talk to about getting into your field. After all, since they work where you're trying to go, they're likely going to know more about who specifically would be a good contact for you, and who would be willing to give you their time.
• Follow-up within 24 hours
I am TERRIBLE at this because I'm so scatterbrained, but you honestly need to follow-up with whoever you talked to with a thank-you card or email within 24 hours of your meeting. It lets them know that you appreciate what they're doing for you and that you're taking the opportunity seriously. If you can send a handwritten card that's even better, but trust me, an email is better than nothing. More than once I've tried to go the hand-written route and something's gone wrong that's prevented me from getting the job done; by the time I got all my stuff together days had passed, and that reflected poorly on me. Don't let the same thing happen to you!
• Loosen up!
Yes, you're walking into a professional environment. Yes, you're trying to look for gainful employment in a career that you enjoy. Yes, you're going to be talking to people you've never met before. But the only way you're truly going to be able to show your passion for what you want to go into is to relax and enjoy the experience. You're both going to be feeling each other out during the talk, and you're both going to want to have a good time while you're talking. Make sure that you don't have any barriers between you and your A-game conversation skills, and that includes personal hygiene and mental preparation. Which leads us to...

Whoa, What Were You Thinking? Networking Don'ts

• Don't neglect personal hygiene
I'll keep repeating the word "don't" because I don't want you to think I'm somehow suggesting you make one of these critical errors. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to neglect showering, shaving, combing hair, brushing teeth, or any of those other first-impression influencing features. Before you even get the chance to open your mouth you're going to convey a message about who you are and what you stand for just based on what people perceive about you based on your looks. Is it fair? No. Can you fight to change a bad first impression? Yes. Do you want to put yourself in a position where you have to fight to make a good second impression? No. Don't make anything more difficult than it already will be.
• Don't leave awkward pauses in the conversation.
No matter what the position you're applying for entails, you're going to be putting those communication skills to the test in a networking opportunity. If you're a poor conversationalist, it's going to get in the way of conveying the impression you're trying to give off. Make sure you're prepared with questions about the job, the person's history with the company, and tips they could give you about how to be successful in the business world. Extra Credit: Be on the look-out for personal side topics your interviewee seems to be introduce, sports they used to play or TV shows they're interested in. Sure, it's a business meeting, but you're talking to a living, breathing person with interests outside of their job. Show that you care about them as a person by talking BRIEFLY about those topics.
• Don't badmouth your current position
A great way to turn off someone who possibly wants to give you a job is to talk crap about the person who's already employing you. Nobody wants to be at the receiving end of a verbal tongue lashing, particularly one where they can't defend themselves. Talking about your employer negatively can make the person you're talking to think that he/she will be the next recipient of your backstabbing...
• DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW UP.
I'm emphasizing this because it's what I'm TERRIBLE AT. You HAVE to follow up, you have to keep asking questions and stay in contact with the people you talk to. Don't be a pest, but the more you keep in contact, the more serious you show you are for the opportunity you're pursuing, and the more likely that person is to think of you when an opportunity arises. You've gotta make sure that you're doing everything you can to make it easy for that person to think of you a stellar, prepared, efficient candidate. Trust me, efficient follow-ups can go a LONG WAY.

Well, those are my partial tips. I've met some great people doing networking, and I'll be talking about them in my next post. Disney College Program gives you a great launching point to start networking, but it's something that you can do anywhere at anytime. Look up some contact information on the internet for someone who has a job you want, and then drop them an email asking for some time. Even if they're far away, a phone interview is better than nothing. Trust me, networking can go a long way towards getting you the job you want instead of the job you have to have.

What do you think about networking? Have you been doing any? Any tips or tricks I haven't written about? Post 'em! Talk to you Wednesday!

-Josh