RED folder!!!

I can't believe it, but my "red folder" came today! CPs get a purple folder, PI/MIs get a red one. It makes it seem more real, seeing the letter in print.

I came up with a new Magical Moment today, the Dino-ROAR. A child is selected to choose a dinosaur and show everyone how it roars. It was a lot of fun with the little girl who did it today and I'm really hoping they keep this Magical Moment around!

If my schedule goes the way it supposed to, 2 weeks from tomorrow will be my last day of work. I still can't believe how fast the time has flown by here.

Branding oneself (sounds painful, doesn't it?)

I officially accepted my offer and cancelled my extension. I'm still trying to get my brain wrapped around all of it. I took a mini-class this morning at the Disney University about branding yourself that really gave me a lot of food for thought how I want to present myself when I come back in June. I had to develop a "Personal Branding Promise" and here's what I have so far:

"Gray is a creative leader who supports passionate pursuit of dreams by engaging and encouraging those around her. By leading with wisdom and teaching from her experience, she supports her Cast as we reach together for our goals."

I like it.

What's a CP and I thought PI was Pleasure Island?

Can you explain the differences in all these programs? (CP and PI/MI)

The College Program (CP) is designed for students to have a work experience at WDW. Anyone who is currently a student may apply and the roles are front line Cast Members such as merchandise, quick service food, attractions, transportation, custodial, etc. It's generally minimum wage, guaranteed 32 hours per week and all of the perks. The programs are anywhere from 4-7 months or so, depending on if you are in the "regular" or the "advantage" season. You can also sometimes 'extend' your program, but you cannot be here for more than a year. While on the program, Disney provides (for a weekly payroll deduction) apartment housing in student complexes for the majority of the students, as well as bus transportation to and from work and various shopping venues. Students also have the opportunity to take Disney classes free of charge while they are here. An ICP is an International College Program student who is here on a special visa (these are specifically created for Disney and are very strict) who basically does the same things as a regular CP, but usually for a year.

A "PI" is a professional internship, but they are also using the term "MI" now to differentiate the management internships. These advanced, or professional, internships are career-related as opposed to frontline Cast Member roles. PIs might be event planning, animal presenter, LOTS of the animal care roles, graphic design, marketing, DVC sales assistant, Guest Relations, and so on. PIs make an hourly wage that is a bit more than CPs and varies widely based on the role. PIs can also take advantage of the Disney housing/bus, etc. A management intern (that's me!) would be in retail, operations, food & beverage, rooms & related, etc. We will make a salary as opposed to an hourly wage and we CANNOT live in the Disney housing, due to the nature of our jobs (conflicts of interest possibly living with CMs who work for you). A PI/MI is 6 months long, usually from Jan-June/June-Jan. Sometimes you can extend your internship if there are business needs and the department really likes you, but a lot of the time, they want fresh faces and perspectives. There are usually some options after a PI/MI, so that's what I'm hoping for (so everyone "swim down" to get this economy back on track!!! )

I told my leadership class instructor today and he was SO happy for me. He knows what a long haul it's been, too. I've really appreciated this class as it has done a great job of preparing me for what's about to come.

We had class at the Magic Kingdom today. What a classroom! I got to go in the utilidors for the first time, which was pretty cool. Most of the class was on Main Street and in Liberty Square, however. It was fantastic and I learned a lot, not just about MK, but "storytelling" and how it applies to leadership. Lots of food for thought!

The Call

I was walking in from the parking lot with DDs this morning when my phone rang. It said it was the College Program number so I answered. The lady asked me if I had a minute (um, YES!) and that they were extending me an offer of Retail Management Professional Intern for the June-Jan season. She asked if I was interested (um, YESSSSS!!!) and she laughed and finished the rest of the "spiel" (tattoos, body piercings, car, etc) She said something about their offering relocation assistance, but I told her since I was already here with a lease until January, I probably wouldn't need it (she laughed again, it was a fun conversation!). My only question was WHERE? but she didn't have an answer for me and told me they'd let me know the closer we get to the start date of June 19th.

My daughters are SO happy for me and I am SO happy they were there when the call came in. DAK parking lot on Earth Day with my girls, couldn't have asked for a better memory! Oh, and then, I got another call this afternoon asking to set up an interview for the learning center internship, which I politely declined. It was a really great feeling knowing that I had gotten the attention of another department as well. Over. The. Moon.

Some days you just need to splurge

I left way early to be at the ShoeMobile at 10am. I'm in desperate need of some nice, comfy, non-slip black dress shoes and thought it would be perfect, since they do a payroll deduction. I was there. ShoeMobile was not. No one knew where it was and said that it hadn't been there for a few weeks when it was scheduled. ARG! I could have slept longer! So, being stuck with time to kill before work and being right next door to DTD, I did a splurge-y, spoiled, only a CM would do it thing and went to Earl of Sandwich to pick up something for lunch! It felt utterly decadent (and, boy, was it yummy, even after a few hours in the fridge at work!) I realized I have NOT taken full advantage of my opportunities here and have decided that I must do more things like that in the coming months. Carpe Diem, darnit!

Making Magic and the Waiting Game

I worked games today. One little girl was very upset that she hadn't won several games she'd tried and simply did NOT want to play another game. There were 2 tickets left and her mom was trying to get her to play *something*. I finally got mom's attention and motioned her to come back over to my game. I told the little girl that I'd just gotten a call from Mickey and he's seen that she had animals on her dress and that she was sad. He didn't want anyone to be sad at WDW, so he asked me to let her play for our medium prize (a sabre-tooth tiger) since she likes animals so much to wear them on her clothes. After a little encouragement from mom and I, she agreed, so they played (and mom kept "missing") and she won. Her face was priceless and reminded me of the reason I keep coming to work even when I'm exhausted and would much rather call in. Her MOM'S face reminded me why I keep coming in.

You know, the guests tell us all the time that we are the reason they come back, but I think it's important to know that the guests are what makes OUR days seem like a holiday rather than a job most of the time.

It's hard to believe, but 3 weeks from today is my CP "graduation" event, and 4 weeks from Friday is my last day at Dinoland. I can't believe how fast this has all gone by. I keep trying to remember "Carpe Diem" and I'm trying not to wish the days away waiting for a call about a PI, but it's hard!

CP Extension!

I got a bit of good news today...my extension request has been granted! I've been extended into Full Service Food and Beverage, which means I'll most likely be a hostess/seater at a restaurant somewhere (I don't know where yet). I'm kind of excited about the prospect, since I've never done anything except for retail (well, I was a cheesemonger for a year, but that doesn't do much for the resume). It adds another line of business to my resume. It's also only for 3 months so if I hate it, it won't last forever.

I'm still holding out hope for the Guest Relations or management roles, though. If one of those pans out, I'll be here at least until January of 2010. If not, I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do in August...