Acceptance!

Every day since my phone interview I had looked at the my Disney dashboard to check for a acceptance.  I checked multiple times a day hoping but I new that it takes about two weeks to get an answer.  As I previously mentioned I was miserable because I thought my interview went bad.  I was preparing myself for the worst while still hoping for the best.

It's funny how things happen when you don't expect them to.  Every other time I went to check my dashboard I was apprehensive and excited and hoping to see something new appear telling me whether I got in or not and then I would get disappointed because there would be nothing new.  But one day, a couple of days before I was to go on vacation to Orlando to see Universal and Disney actually, I looked at my dashboard but was very doubtful that I'd see anything new.  I just checked because I had to and at this point was only checking once a day.  But then when I looked I saw a new message that said "Congratulations!"  My heart stopped and I just stared at it.

I stared and started and then I finally got the courage to open it.  I know it said congratulations but I was still unsure for some reason whether I was accepted.  When I opened the message it indeed told me that I was accepted into the Disney College Program.  I didn't scream or anything (maybe I gave a little shriek).  I was just so shocked that I was silent.  I also think I shed a couple of tears.  I opened up the acceptance letter and found out my role was attractions!  That really surprised me and I absolutely couldn't believe it.  I was so happy and overwhelmed in that moment.

After carefully reading every detail in the letter and coming to grips with myself I called Eric to tell him the good news.  We were so happy that we get to go to Disney World together!  After speaking with him, I left my room to tell my mom, sister, and brother that I got in.  They were happy for me as well.

The next step was to just accept the offer, pay the fee, and choose an arrival date.  Choosing an arrival date was very difficult for me.  I knew that Eric's arrival date was September 2nd.  The earliest arrival date I could choose was August 4th and I was very tempted to go with that because it would give me the most time at Disney.  I spoke to Eric about it and he was such an understanding boyfriend telling me it was okay to pick an earlier date.  I felt really bad because I would be missing his birthday at the end of August, but this is my dream and I wanted to get the most out of it.  I didn't end up picking August 4th because my family planned to go to North Carolina for vacation so I ended up picking August 11th of the next week.  This meant that I would have to go to Disney straight from North Carolina but I didn't mind that.

Anyway, with the date that I picked it means that I get to be there for almost 5 months (check-out date is January 5th).  Since I have found out I've been researching all things Disney incessantly, coming up with things for my bucket list and learning about what it will be like to be on the program.  As of right now I have a little less than 3 weeks before I leave for North Carolina and just under a month before check-in.  I can't believe it's so close!   

My DCP Story and Application/Interview Process Part 3: Phone Interview

Last time I left off at the end of the web-based interview.  I'm sure you want to know about the next and final step which is the phone interview!

So once again, once you submit your application and pass the web-based interview, you move onto the phone interview.  After the phone interview you wait to see if you have been officially accepted into the DCP or not.

The phone interview can be kind of scary and intimidating.  I know I was very nervous.  I've never been on a serious interview before and I'm not very comfortable talking to strangers on the telephone.  I can also be awkward when speaking to new people and don't feel comfortable talking about myself they way you have to during an interview.  Anyway I was really nervous and I knew that I needed to really prepare myself more than any normal person would.

I had started preparing before I had even applied to the DCP.  I read up on all the details of the program.. I was aware of the work it entails and the learning opportunities and the living conditions.  I looked up all the stages of the interview process and I read other people's blogs and watched vlogs with tips on how to handle the interviews.  

I set up my interview for about one week after my web-based interview.  It was scheduled for March 5th at I think 10:15 pm.  In the week leading up to my interview I practiced answering any questions that I heard they will/might ask.  If you google it you can find lots of blogs that give you lists of possible interview questions.  

The most common questions that is always asked is "Why do you want to do the Disney College Program" or something along those lines so I made sure I knew that answer very well.  I was also prepared to tell them my top 3 roles and to answer any questions usually associated with those roles.  For example since I wanted to be a Character Attendant, one of the questions I was prepared to answer was, "What would you say, if a character had to take a break and you had to close the line?"  I'm not going to list all the possible questions because there are too many, but I did search for them and made sure I knew what my answers would be.

So that whole week I was writing down my answers, making sure they sounded good.  I tried to make sure I remembered what I wanted to say.  (This might not work for everyone.  Some people are great at speaking from the heart off-hand but I can't do that hence all my "studying").  During the few hours I had before my interview I plastered all the answers to my questions around my desk area in post-it's and pieces of papers taped to my desk.  My desk was very colorful.  I was prepared for anything Disney had to throw at me (or at least I thought I was).

I finished preparing my desk at about 9:30.  It was half an hour hour before I expected the call.  You have to make sure to be prepared for the call 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time and 15 minutes after.  I thought the later time would be better because I would have a lot of time to prepare, but I had gotten really tired.  I just laid in bed waiting trying not to fall asleep.  At 10:03 pm I got a call from a restricted number and I heard my Game of Thrones ringtone go off.  I hurried to answer and sat at my desk at the same time, my heart beating out of my chest.

I answered in my most cheerful voice and the interviewer told me his name.  I quickly wrote it down.  I was very taken aback by my interviewer.  I had always heard that the interviewer is very nice and the interview is like a relaxed conversation.  Also every instance I had heard about involved a woman interviewer.  I still prepared myself for the possibility of it being guy but it still caught me off guard.  But the worst part was that he had a really fake happy voice that you hear on infomercials.  I mean I know you are supposed to sound happy when working for Disney but it was a bit much and the whole time I felt like I was talking to a robot.  But he was still very nice.  

Anyway, I started out being a nervous wreck.  I tried hard to keep smiling and to sound happy, even though I was very stressed out.  He started with the first big question "Why do you want to do the program?"  I was prepared for that.  I glanced at my post-it because I was forgetting everything in that moment and then gave him my answer.  My answer involved me being excited for all the great opportunities you can gain from the program and the chance to improve my skills working with children because I want to become a teacher.  I think that went well though my voice was a little shaky.

The next part was I think the worst.  He asked me about my past job experience.  I knew this would be a question, but I didn't think this would be one I needed to prepare for because it was very straight forward and easy.  Why would I need a post-it for that?  Well, do you know that scene from Spongebob, where he empties his mind of everything except for fine dining and breathing and then when someone asks him his name he completely blanks and then all the little Spongebobs in his brain are scrambling to find out his name and they're screaming "We forgot his name!"  That's what I felt like when he asked me about previous jobs.  I blanked and started spurting out random words like an idiot.  It's the worst when you just can't find the words to say and just start stuttering.  I'm pretty sure I was able to get across though that I had worked an office job and that I was an art assistant at school.

After that was over he asked me to describe a time that I had to do multiple things at once and how I handled the situation.  I told him that the previous semester was especially hard and I was taking 6 classes along with all the clubs I am a part of.  I told him that I make to-do lists and try to prioritize what is most important.  

He also asked generic questions about tattoos and piercings and he wanted to make sure I was still applying for WDW and not DL.  He asked me how I felt about working outside and I said I was fine with it. I don't remember if this was before or after the other questions I mentioned but they are standard questions.  

He then asked me what my top 3 roles were.  I told him Character Attendant, Attractions, and Merchandise.  I was prepared for any questions he might ask about those specific roles but instead he asks me "So what is your interest in Quick Service Food and Beverage?"  That took me by surprise because I didn't think we would talk about that and I didn't remember whether I put it as low interest or no interest.  I didn't know what to say because I didn't want that job so I told him that I thought I had indicated it as no interest and he was like, "Ok then I'll take that off the list." 

But then he started asking me questions about other jobs like recreation, lifeguarding, and transportation and I had no idea what to say because I didn't prepare what I was going to say about those jobs.  It was the phrasing of the questions that threw me off.  He would say "So what is your interest in ...job?" and I'm just trying to think of anything to say about these jobs that I had little interest in.  I guess he could tell that these other jobs weren't for me because then he finally asked some questions that I knew were more geared towards attractions and that I was prepared for.  He asked if I had any experience public speaking and I told him about my experiences performing on stage with Chapel Players (my school's drama club) and with Music Performance Club (yes that is the actual name of our club that plays music).  I also told him about being an Orientation Leader and Student Ambassador at my school and giving school tours at open house and stuff.  I also told him about all the speech classes I take and all the times I have had to give speeches or make presentations in front of class.  I think my answer for this went well.  I also think he asked me about how I would handle an emergency situation and I said something along the lines of trying to stay calm and making sure to follow protocol.

Soon after we got toward the end of the interview and it was time for me to ask questions.  I heard that it is very important to ask questions because it shows them that you are very interested and enthusiastic about working for them.  I had prepared a few questions.  First I asked if he had any idea of what classes would be best for me to take since I am an education major.  His answer was basically that it's up to me and I should look up the classes and choose whatever I think is right.  Then I asked him if he did the college program and he told me about how he started with it and worked his way up into the company.  Then since he had done it I asked what kind of advice he had for me and he told me to make a lot of connections with other people, to take advantage of everything Disney has to offer, and to have fun.  By end the end of the interview I had become a little more comfortable and I was very happy it was almost over and I think I was doing a great job asking questions.  I was smiling through the phone and trying to sound very enthusiastic and optimistic.  I think this was by far the best part of the interview and it was a good thing it was the last part because that was the lasting impression.   

Even though the ending seemed well, after the phone interview I was pretty upset because I thought it went horrible.  Other people I've seen or heard from on the internet are like "Yeah it was comfortable and fun , and I had a great time" and I was felt the complete opposite.  I was thinking of all the things that went wrong and beating myself up about how I should have said some things instead of other things.  Anyway I was kind of a mess and very sad the week after my interview because I was sure I wasn't getting in (and sad because Eric got in and I really didn't want to be apart from him for 4 months).         

       

     

My DCP Story and Application/Interview Process Part 2: Application & Web-Based Interview

When we last left off I spoke about how I came to apply.  Now I'll actually talk about the application and interview process.

So for those who don't know, here is a breakdown of the application and interview process.  To apply for the Disney College Program you must go to the http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/default/ during a time when applications are out (this is around September for the Spring and Spring Advantage programs and around February for the Fall and Fall Advantage programs) and click the "Apply Now" button.  It's only available about a little more than a month so make sure look out for when applications come out.  Sign up to get emails or like the Disney College Program page on Facebook to be in the know.

When you apply you sign up with your email and then you have to fill out an application.  There are basic questions like age, address, college and major, and are you a full-time student, but there are also some important questions that you need to put a lot of thought into beforehand.  You must indicate whether you want Spring/Fall or Spring/Fall Advantage and whether you want to go to Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California.  There is also a section where you rank the roles from high interest, med interest, low interest, and no interest.  If you are reading this and are thinking about applying, this section is very important.  Research each role and think about what you really want.  Don't think you have to be interested in everything to be accepted.  If there is something you are really not comfortable with doing then put no interest.  I made sure to put custodial and costuming as no interest.  I knew I would not want those jobs.  I struggled with Quick Service Food and Beverage.  I really didn't want it but I think I ultimately put it as low interest (even though during my phone interview later I thought I had put it as no interest).  My high interest choices were character attendant, attractions, merchandise.  Medium choices I had included were recreation, park operations, vacation planner, and maybe photopass.  Low choices I think were lifeguarding and transportation.  I don't really remember too well.  I am writing this months after applying.  Anyway my point is that it is an important decision, and one that the recruiters do pay attention to and ask about during the interview.

Make sure to look up what each role entails and make a well-informed decision based on your own skills, interests, and aspirations.  Look on the DCP website and search the internet for descriptions from real cast members.

After filling out the application you get an email (it might not come immediately) with a link to the web-based interview.  The web-based interview is a series of questions that let Disney know more about you.  There are multiple choice questions and rating scale questions that range from strongly disagree to strongly agree.  Remember in the last post when I said I needed to prepare, well I needed to prepare a little bit for this.  To be honest I had actually applied to the DCP a couple of years back and didn't get past the web-based interview.  I think it was because I was very honest.  That's why this time I made sure to be strategic about how to answer the questions.  I mean you should be honest and Disney wants you to be honest, but there are some questions that you know you have to answer a certain way or you won't get picked.  For example, the web-based interview will ask you several times if you are always on time.  It will be asked in different ways: first a multiple choice and then a rating scale.  Obviously answer that you are always on time and make sure you're consistent with your answer every time it's asked.  Also, Disney wants you to have strong opinions so on the rating scale questions answer mostly with strongly agree/strongly disagree.  Also don't use the neutral option too much and it's okay if you have regular agree/disagree.  Also, you should know Disney's image and what they are probably looking for in an employee so answer questions that make you sound like you are great with talking to people and are a team player and are just a really happy person.  I don't think I did that the first time I did the interview (I'm shy and I hate people (unless I'm at Disney, then I'm super happy)).  So my advice is to be yourself, but also think a bit strategically with this part because it is very important.  If you don't get through then that's it and you can't apply until next semester.  But if you do get through then the next step is the phone interview.

My DCP Story and Application/Interview Process Part 1

I've always thought about doing the Disney College Program, but never really thought it would happen.  I mean when would I have the time with school.  I'm studying to become a teacher and my program is not very flexible unlike other majors at my school.  One day at school they were having an information session at my college about the DCP so I decided to go for fun.  The girl who spoke at the meeting is a DCP college rep, which means that she goes to my school (only she was from the Long Island campus and not directly from my campus).  Anyway her name was Kelly and she was very sweet.  Since she did the program she was able to tell us a lot about it.  She said it really helped her come out of her shell and that she would never be able to make a presentation like the one she was making for us without having done the program.  She was kind of inspirational since I sort of have the same problem.  The best part was that she is also a Child Study major, and I was amazed that she was even able to do the program.  There were other girls with the same major at the meeting so we all had a lot of questions for her.  She said she has to stay at the college longer than intended but that it was worth it.

After the meeting and hearing what Kelly had to say I became super interested in the college program, and I began to really think about it as a possibility.  I know I really wanted to do fall for the holidays and food and wine festival but I was struggling between choosing the fall semester of my senior year and graduating a semester late, or the fall after I graduate and then having to face the real world and get a teaching job immediately when I get back.

 I thought about it a lot and weighed all the pros and cons to either fall semester.  I also talked about it with Eric and he was also really interested in doing it.  We kept thinking about it up until applications came out and then we decided that we were going to go for it.  Eric actually applied first when the application first came out.  I just needed a little more time to prepare myself and to also ask the college some questions about my scholarship and having to stay an extra semester when I get back.  The college said they could put my scholarship on hold and I would still have it for the extra semester. So after hearing that I was ready to apply.  Actually I waited til like the end of February because I really wanted to prepare for the interviews (more on that in the next post).  I read a lot about them on the internet and I watched vlogs.  I also heard what it was like from Eric because he passed the first web based interview and went on to do the phone interview.  But of course I knew he'd be a shoe in, so no matter how much he said it was really easy I was still really nervous and needed to prepare...a lot.