Case Studies
- Laura Hannah
- Umair Iqbal
- Kurt Zdancewicz
- Rachel Perry
- Roy Boxmeer
- Hannah London
- Angela Maloney
- James Rising
- Sara James
- Daniel Young
Angela Maloney
I was part of the International Program and worked as a Cultural Representative in the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot Center. I worked in the Food and Beverage Program.
I was in college for two years and received my diploma in Tourism. I wrote my last exam on a Monday and was on a plane for Disney the very next day. My work experience before Disney was in Food and Beverage, working as a concessions supervisor and restaurant server.
Working for Disney had always been a goal of mine. I knew if I wanted to work in Hospitality that Disney would be a great place to start my career. I did some research and found a college that had past students that worked at Disney. With that information, I chose my college.
Everything seemed easy. Once I found out that I got the job, the communication from Disney was great. I knew exactly when I would be going and how I was going to get there. My start date actually got delayed 5 months, due to 9/11. Nothing anyone could help and Disney handled it very well. They could have sent a letter to inform me, but someone actually called me to notify me and answer any questions.
My year at Walt Disney World would have to be on my top 10 list of great life experiences. I can’t narrow it down to one thing that I enjoyed because there were so many. I loved meeting people from around the world. I still have a small group of people that I am in touch with and visit on a regular basis. I even loved my job! I loved having the power to make a person’s day or make their vacation. I loved representing my country and answering questions for tourists. I loved having unlimited access to the Disney Parks! Oh, and the discounts didn’t hurt either! My family even benefited from me working there because when they came to visit they got free entry to the parks. I also loved the downtime and the traveling I was able to do on my time off. I took a couple of Disney cruises, went to New York City for the week-end and had countless trips in the Florida area.
I gained a great work experience that is recognized by any company I have applied with. Disney is a well respected company and most employers are very interested in hearing about the experience.
I am currently working for IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group – they own 7 Hotel Brands: Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Hotel Indigo). I work as a Brand Service Consultant. In this job I hold a region on approx. 100 hotels and I host training events and consult one to one with the Leadership at the hotels.
Disney has helped me in every step of my career. Having Disney on my resume can almost guarantee an interview since the company is so well respected.
I don’t know where I would be today if I didn’t do the International Program at Disney. I am pretty sure it has changed my life. It gave me a great base to start my career and still 8 years later people want to know about my experience.
I wouldn’t be where I am today, professionally, without Disney.
