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! ;)