PI Application

I figured since there isn't a ton of information out there about the PI application process I would make some posts each day before I leave about different parts of the process. This first post will be about the application itself!

Recruiting Seasons
PI applications generally follow two recruiting seasons, Summer/Fall and Spring. Spring applications generally comes out at the end of August, while Summer/Fall ones generally come out in January. However, professional internships can be posted at any time and can range in length from 3 months (summer) to 1 yr. The majority run about 6 months and go from January to June or June to January.

The Application

The application itself is relatively straightforward. It is recommended when applying to only apply for ones that you have all of the required qualifications and some/most of the recommended applications. Then since before any person sees your application, a computer reviews your resume, so many people recommend wording your experiences in a similar manner as is worded in the posting. 

Once you start the application you pretty much just enter your information, job experience, upload your resume, and answer a few qualification questions at the end. It is also a good idea to upload anything that is mentioned posting (eg. if they ask for a transcript you should upload it!). If you are applying to a general posting like Alumni Only or Marketing, you might check off which specific positions you are interested in. 

Cover Letter

Some people say you should always include a cover letter so you can possibly stand out. Other people say to only include what is asked because they want to see if you can follow instructions and won't even look at it. I didn't upload one, but I was directly contacted by the department to submit one. They didn't ask for one in their posting since they wanted just one cover letter to cover all internships that I applied for within their department so they don't ask applicants until later since people will just submit individual ones. Therefore, I would use your best judgement on whether or not to include extra things like cover letters to your application since I am not a recruiter or hiring manager so I don't know what they are looking for.

That is pretty much it to the applications! You should really have a few people look over your resume. It is better to wait until everything looks good rather than be the first person to submit your application.

My Experience
I literally applied on the last day applications were open and got an offer! I already had a full time job offer and didn't know if I should apply for an internship. I wouldn't recommend waiting until the last day in case something goes wrong. I ended up applying for 3 Animal Programs internships (Chemistry, Conservation Education Presenter, and Reproductive Biology) and 1 Agricultural Sciences one (Biotechnology).

The Waiting Game: No news is good news

One thing that you will quickly figure out when applying to Professional Internships is that the process involves A LOT of waiting. Some people talk about not liking to wait for College Program acceptances to come out, but PIs are MUCH WORSE. CPs are supposed to hear something back within 3 weeks of their phone interview. Many times they hear back sooner than that, and they are told if they are accepted, no longer in consideration (NLIC), or if they are pended. Those that are pended have to endure waiting, but PIs really trust your ability to be patient. 

There is a common saying on the past few cycles PI Facebook groups: No news is good news. 

This is generally pretty true. Since there are so many different Professional/Management Internships, it is really hard to predict timelines compared to the College Program Application Process. However, I am going to put this as a warning: if you have other opportunities and other people have gotten responses long ago for your position, don't hold your breath. It isn't uncommon for people to never go NLIC for some positions. I think that generally they are good about changing people over on the dashboard, but since applications go between so many departments, I think some positions get looked over. On that note, it isn't uncommon for people to be accepted after the date they say everyone will hear by, and it isn't unheard of for people to get accepted after others have for the same position or even after already going NLIC. This isn't very common, so once again, don't hold your breath, but it does happen. I think people aren't always NLIC right away after others are accepted or after going NLIC is that some people drop out after accepting the position and so they will contact people who where the other top choices.

The PI process involves a TON of waiting, so it can be helpful to join the Facebook groups to connect with others (misery loves company, right?) and to see how the positions you applied to are progressing. Just remember, no news is good news!

PI Timeline

So when I have been reading Disney College Program and Disney Professional Internship Blogs for a couple of years now. I even debated doing a CP or PI during a semester during college but couldn't find the time without delaying graduation. When I actually applied this semester I decided not to do a blog and just make a SmashBook to remember my experiences. However, as the time gets closer to my internship check-in I have been reading blogs again and decided that others might find this information useful. I also thought it would be a good place to get more of my thoughts down than I could in my SmashBook. I might decide to post pictures as I complete pages in my book, too.

To start out I will just give the timeline I experienced and will then spend the time leading up to my check-in going into more detail about the process.


Fall 2014 Professional Internships
28 Feb 14- Applied for 3 Animal Programs positions (Education Presenter, Chemistry, Reproductive Biology) and an Agriculture Sciences Biotechnology position  (on the last day apps were open!)
4 Mar 14- "Application Received" email from Animal Programs email w/ request for additional materials (1 Cover Letter and Questionnaires for each position) due within 24hrs
5 Mar 14- Submitted additional materials for the Animal Programs Positions
6 Mar 14-"Biotechnology Application Received" email from WDW EPCOT Science Internships w/ request for additional materials (cover letter, letter of recommendation, transcripts) due by March 14th
             -"Incomplete Application for Disney's Agricultural Sciences" catch-all email
               -"Application Complete" email from Animal Programs team
            -Decided not to proceed with Biotechnology application
10 Mar 14- Email request to schedule a phone interview
13 Mar 14- Reminder that Biotechnology material due by the next day
14 Mar 14- Montage Interview Information Email     

15 Mar 14- Montage Video Interview for Education Presenter
               -"Thank you for participating in a Montage Interview" email

17 Mar 14- Email from Chemistry Manager for Interview

18 Mar 14- Background check email
19 Mar 14- "Thank you for your Interest" NLIC for Reproductive Biology 
24 Mar 14- Chemistry Internship Phone Interview
9 April 14- Request to Schedule "Brief Phone Call"
10 April 14- Education Presenter Offer Phone Call!!! 
                -Congratulations email!
12 April 14- Accepted offer
                -Request for Additional Information Email
                -Welcome to the Team Email
13 April 14-Signed up for Company Sponsored Housing
16 April 14- Invitation to join Animal, Science, and Environment Yammer Group
                -Long informational email about my internship from department
21 April 14- Another NLIC email for Reproductive Biology
               - "Thank you for your Interest" NLIC for Chemistry
22 April 14- Invitation to join Disney Professional Internship Yammer Group
29 April 14- "Thank you for your Interest" NLIC for Biotechnology
4 May 14- New Hire Portal Instructions (2 separate emails for username and password)
7 May 14-DORMS registration  (2 separate emails for username and password)
             - DORMS roommate linking confirmation
9 May 14- Email with Casting Time for Check-In day
15 May 14- Invitation for Animal Programs Welcome Gathering
11 June 14- Check-in!


Wow! That was a lot longer than I thought it would be, but I thought others might think a detailed response would be helpful. Here are my past applications if you want to get an idea of how other Disney positions work. If you have any questions about these applications, feel free to ask!



Summer 2013 ESPN Statistics and Information Application Timeline
28 Dec 12- Application submitted
              -"Thank you for applying" email
2 Jan 13- Assessment request (had to take a Sports Knowledge Assessment)
Eventually went No Longer in Consideration (NLIC) on dashboard but didn't get an email

Fall 2013 Disney College Program
26 Feb 13- Application submitted
              -"Thank you for applying" email
              -Web Based Interview Request
              -Telephone Interview Request
              -Telephone Interview Confirmation
5 Mar 13-Telephone Interview
6 Mar 13- "Thank you for Interviewing" Email
8 Mar 13- Accepted as a Lifeguard
                 Ended up turning down position.

Two Weeks!

Two weeks until I check-in to start my Fall 2014 Professional Internship! I am so excited! Today I found a post describing the housing welcome events for June. A bunch of the Animal Programs Interns are all planning on trying to go to as many as possible. 

Here are the three they have described:  June Housing Events

I real hope to meet some rare characters at these events, get some free food and possibly win some free stuff. It would also be cool to meet some CPs, too, since all the event take place at one of the College Program housing complexes, Chatham Square. It kind of stinks that there aren't any events at Falcon Square, where the PIs live, but I think it will be worth it.

Disney Daydreaming

So I told myself that I would be really productive today with work. I am currently working from home re-writing the General Chemistry Labs Prep Instructions. It is great since I am really flexible, can work from home, and make some extra money before I head down to Disney. However, it also means that I can get distracted easily. I wasn't really feeling well today, and I ended up reading Disney College Program Blogs a good chunk of the day.

 I was a little productive getting ready to go to Disney. I went through the last few boxes from college to figure out what I was definitely taking, definitely not taking, and things I might take if I have room. I have put all of the non-clothes things into my the living room so I could put it all in one place to see how much I have. I feel like I am doing well on space and can hopefully take some extra stuff! 

Well, back to watching the Tigers game, before bed. 
btw-not that many people will care, but my family went to a Toledo Mudhens game last night (the AAA affiliate of the Tigers) and Jim Leyland was sitting a couple of rows behind us behind home plate. For those who don't know, Jim Leyland is the Detroit Tiger's retired manager. He is still working for the club in the front office and was sitting with some scouts. The Mud Hens lost, but one of the players scored 2 home runs and only needs 1 more to break the minor league record and my sister and I took a picture with Jim Leyland (after creepily sneaking looks back throughout the game)!

Megan and I with Jim Leyland (Detroit Tiger's retired manager).

I'm Going to Disney World!!!

I haven't blogged in a while, but I figured now was a good time to start it back up because I have BIG news!

I graduated from Hope College a few weeks ago with my Bachelors of Science in Biology and my Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics. It doesn't really feel like I am done though, since I am still working for the Chemistry Department re-writing the Gen Chem prep manual. 

The exciting thing is I found out about 2 months ago that I was offered a Fall 2014 Professional Internship at Disney's Animal Kingdom working as a Conservation Education Presenter for 7 months! I am super excited to live and work at the Happiest Place on Earth doing something that I am passionate about!

I want to make this blog to help log everything that I will be doing so I can remember everything and others can read follow along in my journey! Between working, packing, going to Megan's events, playing with my dogs, and everything else being home brings I have a ton to do before I leave. Check-in is in 3 weeks from today. I am super excited, but sad that I won't be home at all for 7 months and a little overwhelmed with all that I have to do to get ready.