Showing posts with label Campus Presentation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campus Presentation. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Campus Presentation: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mouse

Today was the first of three big days in my application process: the on-campus presentation. My good friend, who I think I've almost conned into doing the program with me, kept me company while we watched cheesy videos, tried to answer trivia questions, and showed off our best Disney smiles in hopes of getting a star next to our names denoting that we'd be good candidates for the program.

I don't know if the recruiter has any say in the selection process, but I wasn't taking any chances. From the moment I walked in the door I was friendly, smiley, energetic, and everything that Disney looks for in their employees. I was careful not to come across as over-eager or fake, but I also tried to show how interested I was. Even if this doesn't have any impact on the final decision, it's good practice at least for the days ahead if I'm accepted--my cheeks need to be conditioned for 'round the clock smiling! :)

The presentation started at 5, with cookies shaped like Mickey Mouse. Although they were a little stale, the magic ingredient (which happens to be magic!) made them amazing. Ok, not really. I'm not THAT brainwashed. They were just stale cookies with tons of frosting on them. But cute nonetheless.

Our recruiter, Anne, then stood up and began the presentation. She started off with a broad overview of the Disney parks, distinguishing between Disneyland and Walt Disney World, etc., and then moved on to a few trivia questions. She had the cutest Mickey Mouse pens for prizes, and, even though I knew (almost) all of the answers, I wasn't quick enough on the draw, and was only called on for the one question that nobody knew: "How many cast members does WDW employ?". I didn't know, but I had a ballpark idea. So I guessed 50,000. The answer was 60,000. So close!

Next she showed a few videos, featuring a couple of hosts who must have had two or three Red Bulls a piece before recording their parts. Seriously--these two were so happy and peppy, it was actually making me a little exhausted just watching them. But that's kind of what you expect from Disney, I guess.The videos covered the Living, Learning, and Earning portions of the program, which, since I've been doing research for a couple of months now, was nothing new to me. But it was still fun to watch.

Anne then introduced our campus reps, who are students from area schools who have been through the program in the past. They gave us all a sheet with information about applying to the program (which I've already done--look at me being all prepared!) and setting up an interview, and with contact numbers for Anne and the campus reps.My friend and I then went out for dinner at Chipotle (OMG! Yum!) and I called to set up my interview. It's on Friday the 13th (A bad omen? *sinister music*) at 5:20. A minor embarrassing moment when the lady asked what time zone I was in, and I said I was pretty sure central, but asked her to confirm what time it would be in the central time zone, just to be sure. I promise I know what time zone I live in! But I'm just so anxious about the whole thing; I wanted to double check myself.

So, as I told someone yesterday, I expected for this presentation to be slightly boring for me. I mean, I'm obviously excited, but it was basically all review. And, like I anticipated, I didn't learn anything new. But I got even more excited than I was at 4:59 today, if that's possible. Basically, every day the program gets closer, I get more keyed up (and more nervous, but more on that later!). If this trend continues, I think I'll burst before August! And, as you can see by the following incredibly scientific graph, that's a very real possibility.

Friday, March 6, 2009

No Escaping Disney...Even for Astrophysicists

After months of thinking, planning, and driving everyone I know crazy talking about the WDWCP, the presentation and interview are finally just around the corner. I received an email this morning from Disney, reminding me about the presentations coming to campus, and there were brochures laying on the counter at Domino's when I got my lunch today in the student union. Disney's everywhere!

So here's the deal: Next Wednesday and Thursday, a recruiter will be doing their presentation on campus (I plan to attend the Wednesday session). At the presentation, I will sign up for an interview time, which usually takes place a couple of days after the presentation and is, unfortunately, conducted over the phone. So I'll probably try to schedule my interview for Friday, after my classes. Then, if all goes according to plan, I should be getting that acceptance letter just a couple of short weeks later!

Then the waiting game will really begin. :)

To keep you, my imaginary, loyal readers occupied while you're biting your nails with anticipation for my next entry, here's a funny news story. See, this is why I love Disney--even astrophysicists and their crazy planet classification systems aren't immune to the company's affect on our culture.

Astrophysicist: Love of Pluto the dog led to fury over planet’s demotion

Quote from the article: In his new book, “The Pluto Files,” [Neil deGrasse] Tyson asserts that Americans’ love for Walt Disney’s Pluto the dog caused the public outrage that greeted the planet’s demotion in classification to a dwarf planet.

Another quote (And the best part of the article): In response to the outcry at the planet’s demotion, the Disney company issued a press release:

Although we think it’s DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney’s Pluto would join us as the 8th dwarf. We think it’s just what the DOC ordered and it’s nothing to SNEEZE at.

You gotta love Disney. :)