To begin for those who don't know The Walt Disney Company is a multinational mass media conglomerate, and it is only the second largest in that category. For those wondering who surpasses Disney it would be Comcast, and if you don't know that would be the company that owns NBCUniversal. So, what is within the Disney Company then? Well to be clear there are segments of the company, therefore I will be breaking it down by that.
There used to be five segments of the company however with Disney Interactive struggling on its own it merged with consumer products. There are internships available in all segments off the company and that does include LucasFilms, Pixar, and Marvel. Now are large number of the internships will fall within parks and resorts category as a fair warning for anyone hoping there are a lot in the other segments.
For some information about the segments of the company for starters let's just put this out there -Parks and Resorts is not its most profitable segment (yes no need to re-read you got it right). By the last earning reports Media Networks are actually the companies most profitable segment, followed by parks and resorts, then studio entertainment, and last would be consumer products and interactive media.
I suppose why am I bothering to take the time to right this? Well there is in fact a point to this. I know for you people who want more than anything to work the Disney Animation Studios are sitting here wondering why would you even consider taking a position in parks and resorts. I get it trust me -I wanted more than anything to work for Team Disney.... you know this building
Yeah that one in Burbank, California not the one that looks like a rectangle cruise ship looking thing (sorry WDW just being honest). However, Disney likes to hire within (and former CMs) as any smart business savvy company should, and they sometimes like to ensure that only internal candidates apply by making some applications only available through The Hub (Disney Cast Member only website for well everything). So, that means digging through the trenches of parks and resorts could very well pay off for that job you want later on even if it is outside of parks and resorts.
For those who prefer to jump right into the more "corporate positions" and positions outside of parks and resorts I am warning you now -saying they are "difficult" to get is putting it nicely. As I have warned before even if you believe you are qualified there are always thousands of more qualified candidates applying as well. So I will say this once again for those who forgot or missed the memo The Walt Disney Company isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Now thats done -I will touch a bit on the process for internships for ABC, Pixar, Marvel, and etc. First off they vary from company to company, and position to position so this is just an overview. To begin to apply the internships will be on the Disney Career Sites, but they do have their own as well (this includes the Disney Animation Studios) sometimes posted on their own sites. Majority though will be on the Disney Career site, and you will apply just like any other application. Now that is about all they have in common with the applications, since most of these companies like do to their own screening call -or skip it altogether (Marvel is big on this). A lot of them do not use the dashboard, and will strictly communicate with you directly through email, phone calls, or Skype. They also have their own timelines, and own way of letting you know about the offer.
As for where the third party internships are located here are a few to note:
ESPN
- New York
- Connecticut
- Los Angeles
LucasFilm
- San Francisco
Marvel
- New York City
- Los Angeles (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Pixar
- Emeryville
Otherwise most other internships are located in Burbank, Glendale, Celebration, Orlando, or Anaheim. I will also note that the only location that offers professional internship housing is Orlando, and that is for non-Management interns. Professional internship housing in any other location will be strictly up to you to provide, so it is something to consider if you are not a local to an area you are applying.
As a last note since there was some confusion over this last application round. If you are employed for ESPN, Marvel, ABC, LucasFilm, Pixar, or etc. you are a Disney employee and therefore work for The Walt Disney Company.
