Fall 2008 PIs

[crimsontide27]

The only reason Im bitter at this moment is because I was lied to on numerous fronts about coming here in the first place. When I was recruited for Disney, my goal was a professional internship....as a minimum wage job would do nothing for my resume at this point in my life.

I was told by the recruiters that getting into a professional internship would greatly advance my career as Disney is #1 in Forbes magazine for launching careers and etc.

After a long discussion over this, I contacted Disney and told them my situation. I was making X amount of money at my current job where I was a manager, but that was as high as it went and I felt I had capped my potential. They told me that their wages here were "very competable" with what I was making. They wouldnt tell me the salary figures, but I told them mine and they assured me it was, once again, "very competable".

At this point I decided to come on down to Disney to start a 20 year career. I mean, 58,000 employees here...every job you can imagine availible, central florida...unlimited growth potential....what more could you want?

So I gave up my manager job and the lease on my home and came to Disney to launch that career.

Due to red tape and many other snaggles along the way that were never mentioned to me before I got here...I ended up not being able to apply for the PI while I was here since I chose the advantage program. I sat in Mark Hammers office and we discussed this on several occasions and was basically told...."Just go home and come back next semster"

Since I had given up my lease on my home and left my current management position, I really had no where else to go. So I stayed here in Florida and got a 2nd job while being enrolled in school so I was eligible for the PI this time around.

I had already given up alot, but not to be beaten, I would persevere and make it through.

So now Im in contact with my management team at Disney and realize that their "competitive" salary is no where even remotely close to what I was making at home.

Moving up in the company through Leadership casting call is an absolute disgrace. Not one person I know has made it through that program and for the most part, the management teams in place at Disney are terrible.

At my work location it was so ( the management teams respose to the situation) bad that I was told that I couldnt reveal what was written in sworn statements regarding a life and death situation.

I blame no one but myself for letting Disney make promises and me believing them. I love the concept of Disney and the happiness it brings millions of people. However, the management teams currently in place at Disney are some of the worst I have ever run across and the pay is not even remotely competitive to jobs of similar levels and positions.

 

[tinyt396]

The only reason Im bitter at this moment is because I was lied to on numerous fronts about coming here in the first place. When I was recruited for Disney, my goal was a professional internship....as a minimum wage job would do nothing for my resume at this point in my life.

I was told by the recruiters that getting into a professional internship would greatly advance my career as Disney is #1 in Forbes magazine for launching careers and etc.

After a long discussion over this, I contacted Disney and told them my situation. I was making X amount of money at my current job where I was a manager, but that was as high as it went and I felt I had capped my potential. They told me that their wages here were "very competable" with what I was making. They wouldnt tell me the salary figures, but I told them mine and they assured me it was, once again, "very competable".

At this point I decided to come on down to Disney to start a 20 year career. I mean, 58,000 employees here...every job you can imagine availible, central florida...unlimited growth potential....what more could you want?

So I gave up my manager job and the lease on my home and came to Disney to launch that career.

Due to red tape and many other snaggles along the way that were never mentioned to me before I got here...I ended up not being able to apply for the PI while I was here since I chose the advantage program. I sat in Mark Hammers office and we discussed this on several occasions and was basically told...."Just go home and come back next semster"

Since I had given up my lease on my home and left my current management position, I really had no where else to go. So I stayed here in Florida and got a 2nd job while being enrolled in school so I was eligible for the PI this time around.

I had already given up alot, but not to be beaten, I would persevere and make it through.

So now Im in contact with my management team at Disney and realize that their "competitive" salary is no where even remotely close to what I was making at home.

Moving up in the company through Leadership casting call is an absolute disgrace. Not one person I know has made it through that program and for the most part, the management teams in place at Disney are terrible.

At my work location it was so ( the management teams respose to the situation) bad that I was told that I couldnt reveal what was written in sworn statements regarding a life and death situation.

I blame no one but myself for letting Disney make promises and me believing them. I love the concept of Disney and the happiness it brings millions of people. However, the management teams currently in place at Disney are some of the worst I have ever run across and the pay is not even remotely competitive to jobs of similar levels and positions.

Maybe it is the attitude that you are giving off. You are acting like everybody at Disney is below you and that is not really what they want in a manager. When I did my program I thought the managers were the best I have EVER had and was informed of their pay and it was extremely high. You cannot blame every person at Disney because of what happened to you. Maybe you should stop judging people and call the recruiting office and ask them why you were not given a shot for this internship.

 

[crimsontide27]

Maybe it is the attitude that you are giving off. You are acting like everybody at Disney is below you and that is not really what they want in a manager. When I did my program I thought the managers were the best I have EVER had and was informed of their pay and it was extremely high. You cannot blame every person at Disney because of what happened to you. Maybe you should stop judging people and call the recruiting office and ask them why you were not given a shot for this internship.

All depends on your perspective. Maybe you had a decent management team, but we certainly did not.

I dont blame everyone at Disney, I blame the recruiting team.

Your managers may have been the best, my management team was terrible. Read many of the threads in the resort sections and you may recognize which management team I had, because constantly they are mentioned by the guests as being the worst they have ever had as well.

You may think the pay is great, but coming down here and learning that the management teams are mostly pulling in 28-31.5k for this area is horrendous...espectially considering doing the same job and different local hotels pay 10-15k higher for the same position. Heck, earlier I saw someone say they would be making $8.00 an hour and people thought that was wonderful. If you are in college and working on a degree, getting paid $8.00 should not be a goal for you, considering the people at Wendys and Chick fil A next to Vista are higher paid.

And as far as to your comment that maybe I have a bad attitude and they may not want that in a manager...how bout ask yourself how you would feel if your son was lying down on a stretcher with an entire medical team around him...and the management team running right out there asking what happened to their piece of equiptment, and never asking how their son was.

Many guests that were involved in that situation wrote about how insensitive the management team was and even contemplated going to the press about it...

Their son was within minutes of dying, management only cared about a $2000 piece of equiptment. If thats the management team Disney is going for, then more power to then, its not for me.

 

[tinyt396]

All depends on your perspective. Maybe you had a decent management team, but we certainly did not.

I dont blame everyone at Disney, I blame the recruiting team.

Your managers may have been the best, my management team was terrible. Read many of the threads in the resort sections and you may recognize which management team I had, because constantly they are mentioned by the guests as being the worst they have ever had as well.

You may think the pay is great, but coming down here and learning that the management teams are mostly pulling in 28-31.5k for this area is horrendous...espectially considering doing the same job and different local hotels pay 10-15k higher for the same position. Heck, earlier I saw someone say they would be making $8.00 an hour and people thought that was wonderful. If you are in college and working on a degree, getting paid $8.00 should not be a goal for you, considering the people at Wendys and Chick fil A next to Vista are higher paid.

And as far as to your comment that maybe I have a bad attitude and they may not want that in a manager...how bout ask yourself how you would feel if your son was lying down on a stretcher with an entire medical team around him...and the management team running right out there asking what happened to their piece of equiptment, and never asking how their son was.

Many guests that were involved in that situation wrote about how insensitive the management team was and even contemplated going to the press about it...

Their son was within minutes of dying, management only cared about a $2000 piece of equiptment. If thats the management team Disney is going for, then more power to then, its not for me.

Wow, the managers where I worked were making way more than that! Maybe it depends on experience and how long you have been with the company, whatever the reason it does not matter, point is if you do not like where you work then try to change positions. Hopefully with the new interns coming in the management teams can get better. I am very sorry that your management is so bad, but maybe you just need to move to another position or even another resort and get a different experience with Disney. I also applied for the Rooms and Related Internship and was disappointed they didn't contact me but it just means there are people with better qualifications and who will fit what they are looking for. Have you asked any managers or gone to casting to find out possibilities of moving into management? It sounds like you have plenty of experience, maybe you could skip the PI and just become a Management Trainee. No harm in asking right?

 

[spectroaddy]

All depends on your perspective. Maybe you had a decent management team, but we certainly did not.

I dont blame everyone at Disney, I blame the recruiting team.

Your managers may have been the best, my management team was terrible. Read many of the threads in the resort sections and you may recognize which management team I had, because constantly they are mentioned by the guests as being the worst they have ever had as well.

You may think the pay is great, but coming down here and learning that the management teams are mostly pulling in 28-31.5k for this area is horrendous...espectially considering doing the same job and different local hotels pay 10-15k higher for the same position. Heck, earlier I saw someone say they would be making $8.00 an hour and people thought that was wonderful. If you are in college and working on a degree, getting paid $8.00 should not be a goal for you, considering the people at Wendys and Chick fil A next to Vista are higher paid.

And as far as to your comment that maybe I have a bad attitude and they may not want that in a manager...how bout ask yourself how you would feel if your son was lying down on a stretcher with an entire medical team around him...and the management team running right out there asking what happened to their piece of equiptment, and never asking how their son was.

Many guests that were involved in that situation wrote about how insensitive the management team was and even contemplated going to the press about it...

Their son was within minutes of dying, management only cared about a $2000 piece of equiptment. If thats the management team Disney is going for, then more power to then, its not for me.

ok, I am not trying start anything, but if you were "lied" to and had a bad experience with disney, also you know how the management team are at disney, why are you applying for a PI???? To my understanding the PIs are for individuals to gain a more depth experience in their specialized area of study. It seems in your case, that you have ALOT of experience in your area. Also, to the comment about the 8.00 an hour, alot of college individuals are working at disney not for the pay, but for the LOVE of the company. It seems you are very critical of people who make low income salary, but news flash, alot of people of making and surviving in this world, off of 8.00 an hour and a low income salary. Some individuals use working as a way to pay for school and other expenses or even to save money to return to school (grad, doctorate etc). I know you have heard, sometimes you may need to "start at the bottom to reach the top". Can you please elaborate more on the medical example you gave??? Its alittle unclear, on the point you are trying to make.

 

[crimsontide27]

I worked at many different resorts during my internship and enjoyed many of them. I had an enjoyable time while I was here and met many wonderful people, both guests and cast members.

I know from the sound of a couple of my posts that I was nothing but disgruntled, but that couldnt be any further from the truth. This was one of the first jobs that I have ever had where I felt I could make a significant impact on guests, and I did that.

Where my issues came with was the way the Disney recruiting team mislead me into what I was getting in to. I would never have left my job and home had I known I would only be accepting a minimum wage job in an area that has 5x the living costs.

I try not to post too much specfics because then the other people around me might be compromised.

Ive been here for almost 2 years now and have seen many PIs come and go. For the most part, all they care about is themselves and padding a resume to move on to bigger things.

Its discouraging to not be able to place a finger on why some get that position and some do not. On the website for the PIs, there is a section listed for required and desired qualifications. I know for a fact that a few of the last session PIs did not even meet the minimum requirements for the job , yet they got accepted.

I have a good job down here now and have been asked if I was interested in their management program, of which I am going to do.

Im probably better off that I didnt get accepted to the PI to be honest, but I cant help but feel let down. I sat in my general managers office for over 1 hour and had a long talk and he said I was what they are looking for, will def make a positive referral for me, and even called professional recruiting while I was in the office. However, I never heard a word back.

All I am really wanting to know, is what really is the selection criteria at this point. It certainly isnt the required qualifications they seek, nor the desired qualifications. Im just interested in what is the criteria they look at.

 

[spectroaddy]

I worked at many different resorts during my internship and enjoyed many of them. I had an enjoyable time while I was here and met many wonderful people, both guests and cast members.

I know from the sound of a couple of my posts that I was nothing but disgruntled, but that couldnt be any further from the truth. This was one of the first jobs that I have ever had where I felt I could make a significant impact on guests, and I did that.

Where my issues came with was the way the Disney recruiting team mislead me into what I was getting in to. I would never have left my job and home had I known I would only be accepting a minimum wage job in an area that has 5x the living costs.

I try not to post too much specfics because then the other people around me might be compromised.

Ive been here for almost 2 years now and have seen many PIs come and go. For the most part, all they care about is themselves and padding a resume to move on to bigger things.

Its discouraging to not be able to place a finger on why some get that position and some do not. On the website for the PIs, there is a section listed for required and desired qualifications. I know for a fact that a few of the last session PIs did not even meet the minimum requirements for the job , yet they got accepted.

I have a good job down here now and have been asked if I was interested in their management program, of which I am going to do.

Im probably better off that I didnt get accepted to the PI to be honest, but I cant help but feel let down. I sat in my general managers office for over 1 hour and had a long talk and he said I was what they are looking for, will def make a positive referral for me, and even called professional recruiting while I was in the office. However, I never heard a word back.

All I am really wanting to know, is what really is the selection criteria at this point. It certainly isnt the required qualifications they seek, nor the desired qualifications. Im just interested in what is the criteria they look at.

I understand your frustration and I can see you have put alot of hardwork into your hope and dreams, to be let down. Now that you have elaborated on your issue, everyone can sympathized with you!!!!! I can personally share, that I have faced what you are going through, the thought of other people being chosen over the job, which you are the perfect candidate can become depressing and even confusing!!! But I have learned to accepted everything happens for reason and its sometimes in your best interest!!!! I wish you the best on your quest, and honestly, I really wish I had the qualifications you have, life would have been so easy for me!!! Also, don't give-up yet I believe you have up until may 16th!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[AndyCP]

Ive been here for almost 2 years now and have seen many PIs come and go. For the most part, all they care about is themselves and padding a resume to move on to bigger things.

Perhaps that the problem - you been with the company two years and therefore a PI might be a step back. Let me explain my thinking... I'm full time with the company and spoke to my area manager regarding PIs. It was intresting to hear how PIs are used sometimes as a way to bring in outsiders who don't work for Disney into Disney and try to "recruit" them to stay with the company. While I'm still in school part-time she said I shouldn't aim for a PI, I should aim for the leadership casting call. She said even casting might go "hmm why should we hire an internal guy for a internship when he can just apply through the leadership casting call." But how is it a step back you ask? If you got a PI you would have to give up your health benefits and such with the company for the 6 months and even "lose" that 6 months of senority. Also the difference between a PI manager and a normal temp. assignment manager is a PI manager can do everything except discipline where a TA can do it all not to mention I hear its easier to get statused as a manager after a TA then a PI.

Have you tried leadership casting call? From what I understand your managers (and in your case your general manager) have a lot more pull with the casting call then the internship. I was told with the internship casting sorts through the applications picks out some they like and interviews and in the process asks the person's area manager if they remember the person and such. For the leadership casting call your area manager meets with your managers and fills out an evaluation that gets passed along to the casting folks.

 

[Jaseomac4585]

Hey guys, just wondering how interviews are going. Has anyone else interviewed for the "Travel Industry Marketing and Communications Internship"? I had my second interview for the position, but haven't heard anything back yet. They really like to drag this process out!!

 

[bak0521]

Dancinralph: i had my interview on tuesday... no word since then. I really enjoyed it, and Kelly seems like she'd be a lot of fun to work for. How did your husbands interview go? were you guys CP's? they didnt really ask me anything about being a CP during my interview... I was surprised. Have you heard anything about your mgmt internship? Good Luck!

 

[dancinralph]

BAK0521,
my husband hasn't heard anything yet. He interviewed on Wed and they said they would be calling with their decision on Friday, so we are thinking that one is probably not going to happen for him! He also really liked talking to Kelly, and he is a little disappointed that it didn't work out.

He was a CP in the spring of 2004 but I never did the college program. He loved it though! No word on management yet... still waiting! Have you heard from any of the other ones you applied to? Also, did anyone apply or hear anything from the Marketing Strategy Professional Internship or Merchandise Location Planning Internship?

 

[bak0521]

dancinralph- I haven't heard anything since the interview... tell him not to lose hope though b/c I thought they said that they had to have a decision by friday and would hear early next week... but who knows

 

[Jaseomac4585]

..it looks like we're all still waiting for an answer. I emailed the people over at the Disney Intern Program, and they said that we will be notified if we got the position or not..meaning even if we didn't get the position that they will let us know. So now all we gotta do is wait. Good luck everyone!

 

[makinmusic]

Hi Everybody I discovered this forum looking for some info about the PI's. I have also applied for a few PI's. I've had some interviews and now, like so many, I'm nervously awaiting for a call! The waiting is killing me!! Good luck to all of you!

 

[Fantasmic1]

Hi Everybody I discovered this forum looking for some info about the PI's. I have also applied for a few PI's. I've had some interviews and now, like so many, I'm nervously awaiting for a call! The waiting is killing me!! Good luck to all of you!

Welcome....i see that you are in louisiana as well, I am graduating LSU next month...what did you apply for and when did you last interview...the waiting game is tough but most will agree that this board is a great way to vent

 

[makinmusic]

Welcome....i see that you are in louisiana as well, I am graduating LSU next month...what did you apply for and when did you last interview...the waiting game is tough but most will agree that this board is a great way to vent

Hi There! I'm graduating from LSU in May, I guess its a small world, lol! I'm so excited, I just got my cap and gown last week.
I applied for a few PIs but got calls for the Education Coordinator with the College Program and Ticketing. My interviews were about a week and a half ago!!
What about you?

 

[Matty721]

I just accepted an offer for Magic Kingdom Guest Relations!

 

[DisneyScrappingMom]

Has anyone hear from ops management PI yet? Wednesday is going to be 2 weeks and they said we would hear by last week.

 

[Fantasmic1]

Has anyone hear from ops management PI yet? Wednesday is going to be 2 weeks and they said we would hear by last week.

I know...its driving me nuts too...did anyone figure out how many people got the second interview and how many of the 18 positions are left???

 

[DisneyScrappingMom]

I know...its driving me nuts too...did anyone figure out how many people got the second interview and how many of the 18 positions are left???

I also applied for rooms and related and they said that they were interview 31 for 12 postions left. I have not heard anything about ops management, they may interview more. I hope not! who knows?