I just graduated in December and I'm trying to get an entry-level marketing job with the Disney Corporation but entry-level, full-time corporate positions at Disney don't seem to exist (at least based on my searches at the disneycareers website and more general job search engines). Has anyone ever worked for the Disney Corporation? And if so do you know of any alternate ways I can find these elusive entry-level jobs. I really don't want to end up harrassing them at Burbank.

Btw, if you do not work for the Disney Corporation, why not? Wouldn't it be cool to be able to work for a company you are already enamored with? Wouldn't it be even cooler to have a "your name"@disney.com email address?

You could offer to work for free. I'm not kidding.

When I graduated from college I did a phone interview with a manager at WDI and he said they wanted 10 years experience. Then he said, "But I did just higher a guy with no experience that said he'd work for free, if you'd like to try that." :rolleyes: (I was married with one kid and expecting a second...no can do.)

After that I realized that it's not the company I'm enamored with, it's the product. So the only position I'm now applying for with Disney is CEO. You've got to get to the root of the problem if you want to fix it.

It's interesting how un-family friendly a company is that sells a "family friendly" product.

You could always look into the Jedi Order! Think about it "yourname@yoda.com" :D

Originally posted by Lady
I just graduated in December and I'm trying to get an entry-level marketing job with the Disney Corporation but entry-level, full-time corporate positions at Disney don't seem to exist (at least based on my searches at the disneycareers website and more general job search engines). Has anyone ever worked for the Disney Corporation?Please don't take this the wrong way, Lady, but you might want to start by using the correct name for the company: the Walt Disney Company. I am sure that as a marketing major, you appreciate the importance of research and factual accuracy. :cool:

Originally posted by Lady
Btw, if you do not work for the Disney Corporation, why not? Wouldn't it be cool to be able to work for a company you are already enamored with? Wouldn't it be even cooler to have a "your name"@disney.com email address?

I worked for Disneyland for a couple months many years ago, so I suppose I have worked for Disney in general, but there are very few circumstances under which I'd work for Disney on a corporate level. Their reputation in terms of pay scale and employee treatment are pretty bad, with very few exceptions.


As for using the work email for personal purposes, most companies frown on that sort of thing on any wide-scale basis.

Originally posted by Lady
I just graduated in December and I'm trying to get an entry-level marketing job with the Disney Corporation but entry-level, full-time corporate positions at Disney don't seem to exist (at least based on my searches at the disneycareers website and more general job search engines). Has anyone ever worked for the Disney Corporation? And if so do you know of any alternate ways I can find these elusive entry-level jobs. I really don't want to end up harrassing them at Burbank.

Btw, if you do not work for the Disney Corporation, why not? Wouldn't it be cool to be able to work for a company you are already enamored with? Wouldn't it be even cooler to have a "your name"@disney.com email address?


Ok, Here is the scoop with The Walt Disney Company. The best way to get in at this point is to come into the company as an entry level --Whatever-they-need-to-fill-now-job-- Such as a Character performer -- Once you do this job for a few to 6 months you can apply internally to virtually any job that you are qualified for or can be trained into. Disney is very big on offering opportunities internally prior to going to a nationwide search. Think of it as “paying your dues” to reach your ultimate goal. This is how I became an Imagineer. ( I did many jobs before getting to where I wanted to be –Some here refer to it as “the Disney ‘job’ Buffet”

About the @disney.com address... They discipline you quickly and assertively for using this address for personal use AT ALL! So it’s not a “perk” in the sense that you are referring. (SORRY)

Now about working for the company... First let me say that I love the Walt Disney Company and I definitely enjoy the work I do, but the 'love' I feel is MUCH more about the satisfaction I get from seeing happy guests enjoying something that I had, however small it may be, something to do with as well as the wonderful people I work with. NOT my benefits (which are fair) Not my wages, Not the “Disney name”. You need to be someone who is really thinking about the quality of the product your delivering and you need genuinely like to “create a little magic” You don’t work here for money. (Unless your WAY UP on the “team” :) ) Because This company is just like any other in being geared toward profit making. It can be as someone else pointed out, ‘not so friendly to cast members and their families’.

The unfortunate reality is that many many people who work the parks/attractions could not afford to vacation at the resort with their families if not for overtime, the allotment of “maingate passes” and other resort discounts (which for many this year is also being cut back even further, I suppose in an effort to raise revenue) My point is that you will make a wage that may seem “less than impressive” until you get to the department of your interest. I should say also that even when you do get there, you will still make around 20 % LESS than the average wage for your chosen career. It’s just the Disney way.

I will likely get blasted a bit for my commentary. I know that perceptions can often be “oh what a wonderful place to work” and don’t misunderstand me...It can be as long as your in it for the right reasons... I AM in it to be able to make people happy and for the other (significant) fact that I get to do something here that I could never do elsewhere. That’s what keeps me part of the team. Not the money nor the “Disney Name”

I wish you all the best in your pursuits. The “take whatever job they need filled” approach may not be glamorous, but I feel that it’s a great way in and it also gives you an appreciation for how hard the CM’s in the parks work to Achieve ultimate guest satisfaction...AND what that REALLY means.. :)

http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/

Best Wishes and Good Luck to you!

thanks to everyone for their informative responses!

While we are on this subject does anyone know how a writer can get his (my) foot in the door with the creative powers that be? I would be willing to start anywhere as suggested, but it seems odd that Disney would let a custodian ever work on a script. Any ideas?

Originally posted by tiggerandtink
While we are on this subject does anyone know how a writer can get his (my) foot in the door with the creative powers that be? I would be willing to start anywhere as suggested, but it seems odd that Disney would let a custodian ever work on a script. Any ideas?

Like all of the major studios, Disney doesn't accept unsolicited scripts, so you'd have to have appropriate representation to get a script submitted. For rewrites and such, they'd only likely hire known writers. Some of the individual shows might handle their own scripts, but again, they'd likely only hire known writers.

I'd say try to develop your career normally, and maybe, Disney will be there somewhere down the line.

I would like to make a few comments if I may about working for the company. I, like disneyimagineer, went to work at WDW to make people happy. I do though disagree with the some of the policies and practices that this company operates with. Like stated earlier, do not expect a great pay scale unless you are management. Being part time, it is nice of having the benefits of our main gate pass that we get, and the discount at the parks and hotels, but if I didn't work here I wouldn't be able to afford to come here. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, and I wouldn't want to do anything else with the company (in case you can't tell I do fireworks.) But just like any other job is th world, it is all what you make of it, and how you handle it. Hope that you have a great day.