Joshua Alban’s Post

I recently finished my Disney Pilot Internship. As it was a six week program I was able to learn an extensive amount about finance, marketing, sales, and how to network. My internship cohorts were all highly motivated college students who were consistently engaged and trying to get the most out of the program. During the internship I was able to create financial statements and models using Excel to create the financial plans to support the strategies of the part real, part fictional business. We were also assigned real-world problems at Disney.  In one of them, we were presented with the problem of Disney’s merchandise resale business. The task at hand was to figure out how Disney could get in on the lucrative aftermarket business. We had to come up with a strategy and present the potential upside from pursuing it. Another example was creating a Disney After Dark theme that had never been done before. This drove me to be creative and get into specific details about the new event that would be a main attraction to bring guests and unique foods that people have never heard of that are related to the theme. We then presented this idea to our group and got feedback from each person on how to improve our presentations and how to deliver with confidence. My internship group was fortunate to visit Disneyland and look at it from a different perspective. We were looking at ways to improve the parks and what worked for them and what we could change. We were able to talk to Disney Cast Members as they explained what they do in their jobs at Disney. They were very helpful with responding to all our questions about their positions. We then got the opportunity to visit EY in Irvine and we got a tour of the facility and got to talk to employees and current interns. During this trip we were able to see what EY looks for in a future employee. Talking to the interns was very beneficial because they were good mentors to look up to and they were all ambitious about their jobs. Our last connection we made was with Keyur Shah who worked in marketing with Disney. This experience was so informative and I learned so much on how to improve my resume and LinkedIn account. This information was very valuable and I will carry this information with me for the rest of my life. I would like to thank everyone who came to speak to our group and impacted my future professional career. I would have never experienced all this without Tom Kim. He is a true born leader and is very inspirational. He gave me opportunities that I would have never experienced without this internship. I'm so grateful for this experience. It was also wonderful working with my internship group. I'm excited that I created all these connections that I learned throughout this process and will continue to spread the knowledge that I have learned.

Summer/Fall Disney Internship applications are still open! ✨ Here are my tips for applying from my intern experience at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Live Entertainment over the last 9 months: 💡In one of the toughest job markets, what sets you apart from other applicants? For me, my interview was tough but I knew I was tougher. An executive on the panel straight up asked me, “What can you add to the team? What do we get out of it?” In the moment, I had to pivot and showcase my skills in a matter of seconds. Needless to say, it helped me land my internship! 🔐 Share your passion and love for the brand/company, but also showcase that you are able to keep your work confidential. As interns, we have access to so many cool things! I have seen A LOT during my time at The Walt Disney Company, so it’s important that you are able to protect the magic and keep your work to yourself outside of the internship. I suggest sharing an example of a time where you had to do this. 😆 Be yourself, but still remain professional and mindful. From my experience in talent research and other pipelines, hiring managers do keep in mind if you are able to fit into the team and get along with other people in order to get work done efficiently and smoothly. Don’t fake it, but definitely showchase your authentic self! Do you have any tips? Did this help? 🪄 Feel free to comment or share this post with anyone you think could benefit! Don't forget to apply for internships here: https://lnkd.in/gPJHUZBi] Of course, this post does not accurately reflect the entire company and is only about my own experience. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I'll do my best to see what I can do and pay my success forward to future magic makers! ✨😊

What I've learned so far during my internship at NBCUniversal... 👀 1. Dive in, even if you can't swim! 🌊 There is no shame in asking questions! Being the new kid on the block means you're there to learn. 2. Take on projects that make you slightly nervous! 😯 My internship has been a crash course in grabbing every opportunity by the horns. Workshops, side projects, you name it; it has truly enriched my experience! You'll end up learning more than expected. 3. Swap business cards like you're in Pokemon! 🤝 In this industry, who you know can be as crucial as what you know. Every conversation could lead to the next big scene in your career. 4. Quickly adapt to challenges! 💥 The film industry is almost like being on a cruise ship. There are amazing destinations, but the journey may have a couple of unexpected turns. Stay adaptable. Flexibility is truly a secret weapon. 5. Spread good vibes! ❤️ Say thank you. A lot. Recognize your colleagues, mentors, and everyone hustling behind the scenes! I am truly humbled to be working alongside such a talented team, and I'm absolutely loving every second of my internship experience! Here's to the next scene! 🎬 #NBCUIntern #Reflection #HereYouCan

Thrilled to Announce My Internship Completion!! I am excited to share that I have successfully completed my internship with Disney Star. This opportunity provided me with a tremendous learning experience. This internship allowed me to put my psychological skills and knowledge to use in a practical setting. Throughout this journey, I acquired several key learning’s, including: 🔸Mentorship and Coaching: Understanding the importance of guidance and support in developing leadership qualities. Learning how to provide constructive feedback and mentor team members effectively. 🔸Emotional Intelligence: Gaining insights into the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Observing how seniors manage their own emotions and navigate interpersonal relationships with empathy and understanding. 🔸Strategic Decision-Making: Learning how to make informed and strategic decisions under pressure. Watching how experienced leaders analyze situations, consider various perspectives, and make decisions that align with organizational goals. 🔸Change Management: Understanding the processes and strategies involved in managing organizational change. Seeing firsthand how seniors lead teams through transitions, communicate changes effectively, and maintain morale and productivity. I am grateful for the opportunity and support from my mentors and colleagues at Disney Star. This experience has undoubtedly shaped my professional growth. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer Disney Star The Walt Disney Company Disney+ Hotstar #disneystar

It took me almost 2 years to land my FIRST internship at The Walt Disney Company ✨⏳ Through persistence, leveraging my network, and a strong LinkedIn presence, I finally made it. 🫡 Now, I'm on ROUND TWO at Disney! Here are some tips I’ve used that can help you stand out and land your dream internship: 🔍 1. Optimize Your Digital Footprint - I connected with recruiters and professionals at Disney and optimized my digital footprint on platforms like LinkedIn. - This served as my digital portfolio and made a strong impression. You can do the same! 📄 2. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter - Customize your resume for each application, highlighting relevant experience and using keywords from the job description. - I checked the careers site daily and crafted a resume that reflected what Disney was looking for. 📞 3. Strengthen Your Storytelling with Cold Calling - Put yourself out there by cold calling and connecting with professionals. This helped me strengthen my storytelling skills and build valuable connections. - I reached out to people on LinkedIn and set up informational interviews to learn more about the roles and get my name out there. 🎯 4. Leverage AI Tools for Mock Interviews - Prepare thoroughly for interviews by using AI tools to practice mock interview questions or doing mock interviews with friends or peers. - Research the company thoroughly and practice articulating your value. I made sure to know Disney inside and out before every interview. ✉️ 5. Follow Up After Applications and Interviews - Send thank-you notes after interviews and maintain relationships with contacts you've made during your search. This shows your appreciation and keeps you on their radar. - Express genuine interest in the company and the role in your follow-up messages. 📊 6. Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile - Develop a strong LinkedIn profile that complements your resume and personal website. - Highlight projects and experiences that demonstrate your ability to adapt and succeed in challenging circumstances. - Use a professional photo, write a compelling headline, and fill out your summary and experience sections thoroughly. 🔮 What's your dream company? Comment below and share your journey! Let's help each other succeed! 🌟 #Internship #CareerGrowth #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #TechCareers #CareerAdvice

Since February, I’ve been applying and interviewing with The Walt Disney Company for Professional Internships in communications and public relations while I didn’t get an internship this round, I learned some appreciable lessons that I’d love to share! ⭐️I applied for over 15 roles and received about 2 serious considerations, doing a total of 1 recruiter interview and 4 panel interviews. Every time I got another “No longer in consideration”, I took it as an opportunity to try and learn why and figure out how in the future I could strengthen my skills for that role. ⭐️ Going through 4 panel interviews was one of the most intimidating experiences I’ve done thus far in my career but I gained so much confidence by the end of them. It was an invaluable experience where I was able to speak to the leaders in teams where I aim to work in the future and learn more about the structure and dynamics of The Walt Disney Company at a corporate level. ⭐️ I learned more about AI resume reading, and how careful I had to be when tailoring my resume to job descriptions in today’s world. Although this round didn’t work out I am pleased to announce that I am joining the company for the Disney College Program starting June 3rd and will be reapplying for more professional internships starting in August! As Walt said “The difference between winning & losing is most often not quitting”, so here’s to never giving up on your dreams! #disneyprofessionalinterns #disneycareers #disneycollegeprogram

🎶Reflecting on My Internship Journey🎶 As I wrap up my internship with Warner Music Group, I would like to share some valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1. **Nobody Wants to See an Intern Fail:** From day one, I have been surrounded by a team that is not only talented but also incredibly supportive. Their guidance and encouragement have made a significant impact on my growth and learning. Amber Wright has been one of the most understanding bosses I have ever had and has been incredibly kind and helpful throughout my time here! 2. **Confidence is Key:** Imposter syndrome can be daunting, but I've learned that confidence in your abilities is crucial. I walked into this internship feeling that I got here out of luck, not my abilities. However, I was constantly reminded that I was here for my skills and had successfully proved myself time and time again. Remember, you’re there for a reason—your skills and contributions matter! 3. **Excel Sheets Are… Not So Scary:** Initially intimidating, as someone who studied law throughout all 3 of my degrees, I had barely touched an excel sheet. I was terrified of spreadsheets, big numbers, and anything even remotely related to finance. When I was set to become a Royalties Audit Intern, I was excited but equally petrified. As I dived headfirst into the work, I realized I was quick to learn and that it wasn’t so bad. I had actually gotten quite good at it, especially after taking some free Excel courses. Grateful for this opportunity and the amazing people who made it possible. I am excited for what is to come! 🎉

3 learning points from week 3 I completed the third week of my internship with Warner Bros. Discovery, and I have a quick recap of three things I learned. • As a developer, if you're stuck for more than 30 minutes, just ask for help. Having another pair of eyes look at your problem can save you a lot of time and give you a fast turnaround to being productive again. Shoutout to my mentor, Francisco, for looking at my code and fixing my problem in a tenth of the time it took me trying to figure it out. • Make it a priority to balance work and personal life. I find it easy to get caught up in the excitement of my work, but I don't let it seep into my activities past working hours. Placing healthy boundaries is the key to avoiding burnout and long-term productivity. • Take the time to appreciate the present. These past three weeks have blown by and a part of me hasn't processed that I've finished a quarter of my internship. As I continue my internship one day at a time, I'll celebrate the small things like the nice walk to the office, seeing that the snacks were restocked, and having friendly chats with coworkers.

As part of an upcoming enhancement to the internal worker database the Disney Company will be including recognition for completion of the Disney Aspire program to workers profiles. (The Aspire program to those unaware is a service that allows employees to earn a degree for free while working and has been a very amazing opportunity for many workers.) While this is a great addition to show recognition of completion and while the program is a great service that allows people to get a degree I believe it does fall short of its full potential. If I were to suggest an addition I would say there should be some sort of placement program to Aspire graduates if the degree earned could be utilized internally. I suggest this because despite now having a masters degree from the program I never have been able to utilize that degree at the company that paid for it. Unfortunately when I graduated it was the end of Covid and there were no internships/ offers and now that more internships are available I am no longer able to apply because I graduated too long ago. Ideally if this post graduate placement idea was implemented the Aspire Program could be used to build skilled talent internally that Disney could leverage, however as it stands you could get a degree and may get lucky and get a spot or internship or…you won’t… seems like there could be amazing potential in pipelining graduates to positions in the company. #disneyaspire #aspire #dreamswithinreach #disney

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what got me “in” at Disney. While my advice isn’t an exact science or a cheat sheet (if you have either, plz hmu 🙏), I can tell you what gave me the experience to get where I am: longer internships. I started doing two-semester long internships when I was a junior in college (completing three in total). While summer internships are widely known for offering a glimpse into 40-hour work weeks and post-grad life, many do not give students enough time to get a comprehensive experience. My own 8-week summer internship felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. I’ve been with Disney for nearly 6 weeks, and only now am I beginning to understand the lines of business I’m on and the partners we work with regularly. I haven’t even scratched the surface of external partners, seasonal challenges, event management, and so much more. Two-semester long internships allow you to see a company go through two or three quarters firsthand. You absorb information for longer, work on more projects, meet more people. You simply *do more.* The biggest caveat, among others, is school. But if you find yourself with extra time during the school year, have good time management skills, and want to challenge yourself, I cannot recommend longer internships enough.