When you wish upon a star, anything your heart desires will come to you, according to the popular Walt Disney theme song.
For three Ball State students, wishing upon a star apparently worked. During the Spring Semester they were able to be interns at the "most magical place on Earth," Walt Disney World. What started out as a childhood dream turned into these students' reality as they gained experience in a variety of areas.
World of Disney
Sophomore public relations major Sarah Janiga is the campus representative for the Disney internship program. She read about the position during her internship this past spring in a newsletter.
"I applied for the position while I was in Florida," Janiga said. "I was offered the position right after an interview. It is not a paying job, but I get paid in experience. I still have all the benefits and discounts that I received during the internship, but by promoting the program at Ball State, I earn additional benefits and incentives."
Janiga heard about the internship opportunity as a child on a family vacation to Disney World. After seeing park employees with their schools on their nametags and talking to student employees, she looked into the program years later and applied.
"It was a lifelong dream of mine to work at Disney," Janiga said. "I found out about the internship as a child and years later, I got to do it. I was sitting at Starbucks when I got the e-mail offering me the internship. I was freaking out and couldn't breathe. I was so excited."
Janiga took a corporate communications class during her internship. This class inspired her to change her major from pharmacy to public relations. Because of the experience she gained in public relations, she said she is much happier and confident about her future.
During the internship, Janiga worked at the World of Disney, the largest Disney store in the world, which is located in Downtown Disney. By working on the floor and at the registers, she was able to meet lots of guests, as well as practice Spanish. She was also part of a team that established an organization system for the store's stockroom.
"Disney keeps you busy so you don't feel so homesick," she said. "Now, I feel like I have a family at Disney."
Despite spending half of her time working more than 40 hours a week and attending classes, Janiga was able to go to the theme parks and resorts with friends, including people she met who were members of the international program. Because of her time at Disney, Janiga now has friends from India, China, England, Mexico and Canada.
Her family and friends also visited her, but Janiga's favorite moment during the internship was not just seeing her niece and nephew experience the magic of Disney for the first time.
"I attended a parade on a day off at Magic Kingdom," Janiga said. "I saw an old man sitting a wheelchair watching the parade. As Mickey and Minnie rode by, there were tears going down this man's face as he waved to them. It was the best moment of the whole time because it solidifies that Disney is a good company and truly cares about people and values."
After the internship, Janiga went home for a month before coming to Ball State this fall.
Disney Dispatch
Junior entrepreneurship major Kaitlyn Caraway also found out about the internship when she was young. On a family vacation to Disney World, Caraway and her family discussed the program with some of the employees.
Caraway took part in the program to take a break and fulfill a need for change. During high school, she took college classes and accumulated 18 credit hours before her freshman year.
"The whole process transpired within a week," Caraway said. "I applied, had an interview and got the offer all in a week. I went into the program with a friend I met in a scholarship program. It was a little difficult at first when I got to Florida, but I was excited to go."
While she completed the internship, Caraway also spent her birthday and Spring Break at Disney.
"With my ID, I was essentially VIP everywhere on Disney," Caraway said.
Caraway worked as a bell service dispatcher at the Wilderness Lodge. Her job was to unload luggage that arrived on the airport shuttle, pair up the pieces by room and scan the luggage into a system. Caraway then ran the computer system by dispatching the luggage to a certain bellman that would take it to the guest's room.
In addition to the bell service dispatching position, Caraway also delivered items like flowers and birthday cards from Mickey to guests, and she worked as an assistant in the club-level lounge at the lodge.
"One day, there was this little boy crying in the lobby," she said. "He made his way over by my desk, and I asked him what was wrong. He was upset because he couldn't find Mickey, and Mickey couldn't find him. I found some Mickey stickers, and I gave him a bunch, saying they were Mickey tracking stickers and Mickey would be able to find each other."
From the Disney internship program, Caraway gained a better knowledge of Disney's business side, their structure, and about their employee expectations.
"Customer service is really important at Disney," Caraway said. "The company strives to make magical moments."
Caraway said she might apply for a professional internship at Disney or work with friend on a Disney cruise line after graduation.
Food Services
Sophomore advertising major Sarah Hoover and her family take yearly trips to Disney World. At the age of six, she learned about the internship program while talking to employees. When she had her chance to be a part of the program, Hoover said she was really happy and called everyone.
"My mom was jealous of me when I got the internship," Hoover said. "I love Disney movies and the theme parks, and I wanted to make trips more magical for little kids. People who work at Disney are just as much characters as Mickey."
Hoover worked in food services during her internship. She felt the job was stressful with such large crowds and the fast paced environment, however she still had fun and enjoyed working with different people from different countries, even if it never felt like working.
From this internship, Hoover learned a lot about working with the public.
"I learned how to be professional in difficult situations," said Hoover. "I gained more independence by being on my own in a different place with different people. I also got to use my Spanish that I learned and never thought I would get to use."
This spring, Hoover is going back to Disney for a second internship. This time she will be working with the attractions and taking more classes.
"My dream job is to work for Disney," said Hoover. "I want to take Disney back to the old days like when [I] was a kid. These internships are a way of getting my foot in the door."
According to Janiga, students can start looking into the intern program now for a chance to have their Disney experience. Two programs are available for students, one being at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. and the other at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. After viewing the e-Presentation, those interested can fill out the online application, which takes about 40 minutes to complete. After that, applicants will have three days to schedule a 15-minute phone interview. Within two weeks of the phone interview, applicants will be sent an email with a final decision.
Janiga will be hosting an e-Presentation event during the spring in a group setting. Until then, she will be promoting the program through word of mouth, posting flyers, and handing out information to interested students.
"People should do the internship even if they do not love Disney," said Hoover. "The people who take themselves too seriously are the ones who have no fun."
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