Disney recruiting at Victoria

Spending her days rubbing shoulders with princesses and cartoon characters was a childhood dream that has come true for Victoria University of Wellington student Cherie McMeekin—and the opportunity is available to other Victoria students, too.

Cherie McMeekin

Cherie, who’s studying tourism management and commerce, recently spent a year working in the United States on a cultural exchange programme offered by entertainment company Disney that saw her employed at its theme park in Florida.

The scheme, a five month-long paid internship (which can be extended), is available to tertiary students or recent graduates—and Disney is currently on the lookout for Victoria students to be part of its next intake.

“We are looking for enthusiastic students with various educational experiences,” says Disney recruiter Jill Jacobsen. “Students selected for our programme will receive world-class training and can develop skills like communication, teamwork, multi-tasking and time management.  Students are immersed in American culture but also have the chance to live with students from other countries in a multicultural community. All of these skills and experiences can transfer to any future career.”

Jobs at Disney range from performing as one of the famous characters or being a lifeguard to greeting guests or working in one of the many shops or restaurants, and can be anywhere on the Disney property—from the theme parks and water parks to any one of the large number of hotels or even the Downtown Disney shopping area.

Cherie worked at Disney World in Orlando and was responsible for parade audience control within the main park, the Magic Kingdom (which is known for its iconic Cinderella castle). “It was more than just crowd control,” explains Cherie. “We were doing all sorts—sometimes we were even required to join in with the parades and dance. There was also a lot of interaction with the public—answering questions and helping out. Some of my greatest memories come from moments where I put a smile on somebody’s face or enhanced a family’s visit to the park just by going the extra mile.”

She had visited Disneyland in California as a child, and vowed to her mother that she’d work for the company one day. “Amazingly, it came true. I had no idea that this sort of opportunity would be available, so needless to say I jumped at the chance when I saw it advertised on campus.”

Cherie says she whole-heartedly recommends the experience to anyone considering it. “It’s one of the greatest things I’ve ever done—it’s a huge eye-opener to what’s out there in the real world, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to work for the world’s biggest entertainment company.”

For Cherie the experience was a valuable way to spend a year during her tertiary study. “It taught me a lot—I can safely say that I saw everything I learned in three years of tourism study on the front line at Disney. It also taught me other skills, such as working with other cultures, working alone and in a team environment, coping with pressure and a lot of other life experiences too. It’s more than just a career advancement—I’ve now got friends from all around the United States and the whole world.”

Jill Jacobsen says Disney’s New Zealand recruits bring a lot to the company. “They are excellent candidates because their positive energy and outgoing personalities really stand out to our guests and help create memories that last a lifetime.”