First Days as a Disney Intern!

Time for an update!

My last day working at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island was on December 26th. I then was able to fly home (Dec. 28th) for a little over a week, and was thus able to see tons of family and friends! My mom got married to Steven, her boyfriend of 12ish years (yeah, about time)! It was a very emotional time, considering that I hadn't seen anyone for over 6 months since I was in Sanibel until that point, and knowing that I was leaving for another 6 months made it that much more difficult to leave home all over again.



I flew back to Florida on the 10th, headed to Orlando on the 11th, and the next day I moved into my new Professional Intern apartments at Cumberland Apartments. My move-in time was 8am. I met up with some of the girls I had been talking to (did not end up rooming with them because Disney extended their time as interns and thus I wasn't able to). I received an Pro-Intern housing identification card, along with my room assignment/key and car decal. It is a very nice set up, and even though it is two people to a room, there is ton of room throughout the apartment.

I moved in by myself, and didn't end up meeting any of my new roommates until later in the day. I was able to empty my car in enough time before I headed to my Casting appointment. Everyone is so nice, it is just ridiculous. I'm not really complaining, I guess. :) Anyway, I was able to go through the process of handing in my hire documents for Disney, received more information about working for Disney, had my background check completed and got more information about Animal/Environment Program Internships. I attended a meeting specifically for Animal/Environment Program Interns where I finally was able to meet Jason and Michelle, along with others in the departments we will be working in. I got tons of information on my role and specific details and perks. Due to the confidentiality of certain aspects, I cannot share everything on here, mostly because it is different for every student. Later that night, I met up with some of the students at Cici's Pizza, and it was a blast to get to hang out and just talk to everyone!

I had the 13th off and was able to go shopping with some different interns I have met. There are some very interesting people in Orlando... Including the guy walking down a busy street (not that there are any streets in Orlando that aren't busy), with his pants hanging down pass his butt without any underwear on. Gross, Orlando. Real gross. After a successful morning grocery and supply (shoe) shopping, I relaxed most of the afternoon before checking out the apartments gym equipment. It's alright... Hey, it's free and has 24/7 access, I don't think I'm allowed to complain much.


Today (Dec 14th) was super eventful! I had my Traditions class this morning at 7:45 (which meant I woke up at 6:20am, left at 6:55am, and got to Disney University by 7:20). I really hate the feeling that I could be late, and I'm still trying to get used to driving around on Disney property. Haven't gotten lost yet, so that is a plus! Traditions was fun, we learned a lot about Disney's goals, values, and main focuses as a entertainment corporation. We were then taken to Magic Kingdom to visualize some of these aspects in real time. It was so cold today, I almost died. Florida, please continue to be the Sunshine state and stop being cold!!! I'm officially a Disney Cast Member!

I received my Disney Park Access/ Discount Identification card, my new name-tag and a Goofy critter (for being a team leader)! Needless to say, I was pretty tired after the experience. However, I ended up going out with my roommates to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D at Downtown Disney's Dine-In movie theater, and then walked around Downtown Disney's stores. Tomorrow (Dec 15th), all of the Animal/Environment Programmers will be meeting up at 8am Animal Kingdom for further orientation and training. So glad we get to wear tennis shoes tomorrow! I'm not sure how much the interns who will be working at The Seas in Epcot will benefit from meeting at DAK, but that's not my issue I guess. It will be an all day event, and I'm super excited for whatever activities will take place! I cannot wait to actually start my job!



Speaking of which -- I'm going to be working 7am - 4pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday off (same schedule as CROW, which is weird), and then will work Saturday. After that, I'm not sure what my schedule will be, or if it will be constant or not. One thing I do know is that there will be nights that I am on call for emergency cases or injured animals (I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS EVEN IF IT DOES WAKE ME UP AT 2AM)! Looking forward to starting on Monday, kind of nervous, but mostly anxious!

That's all for now! :) <3 Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust!

Game Plan -- Part One

I received some new information today in regards to the first couple days of checking in and getting started at Disney, and so I thought I'd share it here. I am still waiting on my email from the Recruiting offices that will give me access to the onboarding website and allow me to reserve my housing. I did hear from them, however, and was informed that I should have it by next week. We'll see if that actually happens since we have the holiday, but at least I know I'm not forgotten and should be able to reserve housing soon! :)

I will be starting my journey with Michelle Matuszewski (the Animal Programs Manager responsible for all the Animal Program professional interns) and Jason Martin (the Animal Programs Professional Internship Coordinator) on Thursday, January 12, 2012, after I check in at casting and move into housing. Their role is to do all of my initial training for Animal Programs, and will be spending a lot of time with all of the interns for our first week as they get us all ready for our jobs and helping us prepare for our transition to Walt Disney World. 

They have informed us all that our Disney dashboards will eventually have all the information I will need regarding my hiring process, including my housing information and arrival information. I'm supposed to let either Michelle or Jason know by December 10th if I have not received that information -- I really hope that I receive it before then! I'm too much of a planning freak :)

On January 12, I will be moving in to my apartment assignment, attending casting meetings, and filling out paper work (I-9 form) so that I can legally work for Disney, along with providing my social security card and driver's license. I will be paid for my training time, so I will not be receiving any area specific job training information until my arrival, and a lot of information will be given to me on a daily basis. I will end up receiving a detailed training outline and guides when I meet with Michelle and Jason on January 12th. Once I arrive, I will be given an agenda for the day and will be expected to attend a few meetings later in the afternoon, thus I will not be planning any activities outside of checking in, moving into my apartment and attending those meetings -- it is going to be a very busy day!  

I will meet up with Michelle and Jason later that evening to go over my training outlines for the next week and will receive the invitation to that meeting in my arrival packet when I check in. Dress code for check in is casual, but since I will be meeting Disney Leaders for the first time, I'm planning on looking nice and professional in a casual manner. Going to keep it classy! I will be invited to a social networking event for that evening as well, which is not mandatory but is an opportunity for me to meet other interns in a more social atmosphere. I will have January 13th off to relax -- continue moving in to my apartment and getting situated, getting to know and hang out with my roommates! 

January 14th and 15th will be training days, which will require professional attire. Due to the large amount of walking on the 15th, I will be able to wear tennis shoes as long as they are clean and neat. The rest of my training is depending on the role I have, which in my case, the Vet Hospital Intern wears a cast costume and brown hiking boots. In the context of Disney, the word "costume" refers to my uniform, which is appropriate clothing that is functional for the nature of my job along with providing a neat appearance. Disney will provide the costume, but I will be responsible for my own footwear, which I will have to invest in some really good hiking boots if I'm going to be walking and on my feet all day.

For the rest of my appearance, I will have to follow disney guidelines in order to maintain the Disney Look. This includes buying some opaque stage make-up to cover the tattoo that is on the back of my neck (http://www.mehron.com/ Tattoo_Cover_p/506.htm). Along with that, I will be restraining my hair back away from my face using either bobby-pins or barrettes or headbands while also keeping my hair down so that it helps cover my tattoo. Only bad side to having my hair down is going to be with those hot summer days in Florida, but that is the price I pay for having a tattoo in the professional world, so I will work with it. 

I think what will be harder for me than that is the regulations I will have on makeup -- Don't get me wrong, I barely wear any makeup, but I do wear darker eyeliner and am used to that and comfortable with it, so I will have to take some time to adjust my makeup habits for work so that I can have more of a blended and natural look, in lighter colors of brown and black than I'm used to. I'll have to play around with that one. I am allowed to have one pair of earrings in while working, but I'll probably just keep them out altogether especially considering I'll be working with animals and do not need the distraction. 

Basically, that just leaves me to ponder on what I need to make sure I bring back with me to Orlando. They provide lots of guidelines on clothing that I did not provide here, so I'll be sure to go through all of that to make sure I'm covered. I'll also have to think about what things I'll be wanting for my apartment and what I'll actually have room for not only in the apartment but on the plane in my luggage for my flight back to Florida. My plan is to focus on bringing things that I know I can't get back in Orlando, wont want to find in Orlando or won't be able to afford in Orlando -- all little things I'll just pick up on an as needed basis. 

Follow Up: The Waiting Game

I'm officially counting down the days until I begin my internship at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom!



I'm super anxious for January to get here! After accepting the position, I was able to join an enterprise social network called Yammer (it's pretty much the private facebook for work relations).  I have been able to start talking with many of the other Animal and Environmental Sciences Interns for next semester.

They are all really very great and I'm so thrilled to get to know them and to work with them. Seems like they are still in the hiring process, as I'm seeing new students being added to the group every day.

I also was able to make contact with the other Vet Hospital Intern, which I was happy to see that we both had pictures of Raccoons in our profile pictures: It is meant to be! :) I still cannot believe that I was selected, this really is a dream come true!

I'm really glad they have offered this social networking type of site, as it is really helping us all get answers for our questions, which pertain to many different aspects of housing, checking in, and the overall process. I'm still waiting to hear from Disney in regards to the onboarding website, which is supposed to offer me more information on housing, my intern role and checking in on the 12 of January. I'm trying to be patient, I'm just really anxious! :)

I have decided to reserve the company-sponsored housing for Interns, which means I will be putting down a deposit via Disney in order to live at Cumberland Apartments. I have talked to a few of the girls and if all goes as planned, I will be attempting to room with Kerstin, and be apartment-mates with Heather and Arielle (all of which are Conservation Education Presenters).

The apartment itself looks beautiful, and even though we are sharing rooms (two to a room), the layout and space seem great. I'm thrilled to have found some really down to earth and fun ladies to room with, they are going to be great to have around I'm sure!

My fellowship at CROW is ending on the 26th of December, I will be flying home to Kansas on the 28th, giving me some time to make up for missed holidays and see family, friends and my sorority sisters.


Not to forget all of my pets! It is going to be hard to fly home and leave it all again for another six months! But I'm sure being part of Disney's Family will help me with all of that! :)

Acceptance!

Conservation Station! 

After an involved application process, an intense but amazing interview, and a follow-up phone call... I am so completely pleased to say that I have been selected to participate in the Animal Programs Vet Hospital Professional Internship for Spring 2012 at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom! 


My arrival and departure dates are as follows: January 12, 2012 until June 9, 2012. 


This internship opportunity is designed to give students like me the experience in a veterinary hospital setting where I will have the chance to provide patient care, keep accurate records and develop relationships with staff of keepers, technicians and veterinarians. 


My responsibilities include two roles, split up in three month periods: the Primary Wildlife Case Contact and the assistant to the Veterinary Technicians. As the Primary Wildlife Case Contact, I'm responsible for receiving all incoming wildlife cases in the veterinary hospital from the Walt Disney World Resort property, including assessment, triage, giving necessary care as directed by the animal care staff and veterinarians, animal transport to rehabilitation facilities, and maintenance of all records and databases.

When functioning as the Assistant to the Veterinary Technicians, I will provide support that includes setting up supplies/equipment prior to procedures, cleaning/packing/sterilizing instruments and assisting with sample preparation and related laboratory paperwork. 

The On-show Veterinary Treatment Window! 

Along with both roles, I am responsible for guest interactions and giving presentations in the on-show veterinary treatment window! Which I'm so flipping excited about!  Well, I'm just excited about it all actually!

Rafiki -- my new boss! ;)