"Oh Gee, I wish I was back in the army..."

Well, my time with Disney is officially over. I'm a civilian.

My ex-roomie, Michelle, and I joke that working for the mouse is like working for the army. You have experiences that many people just don't get, you know secrets you're not allowed to share, and once your time is done the only people who really understand what it's like are your former co-workers. All of College Program kids are veterans of Mickey's army. (Hence the video clip at the top of this entry.)

Now, I've got to get back to civilian life.

And it's harder than you think.

I haven't worked for Disney since January, but there has always been that hope that I would get a Professional Internship and be back down there full time. I didn't get that last internship. So, now I know for sure that I will not be returning to Disney. But that's okay. Life goes on and I'll survive. It might actually be better to return purely as a guest next time I visit the Wide World of the Mouse.

In the meantime, I'm spending most of my time searching for a job. Any job, anywhere, doing anything. I mean, yes, I would love to put my degree to use, but I if I can't I will accept something else. I will work retail if I have to. I just need money coming in from somewhere. Eventually, I want something I can be truly passionate about, but for just starting out...I really just need good hours and good money. I have credit card bills to pay, a car payment I need to take over for my parents, student loans I need to start saving to take care of, and a Disney World trip to pay for and plan. Also, I would really like to be able to afford my own place.

None of this can happen, though, if I don't have a job. And, let me tell you, getting a job is harder than it sounds. I have a portfolio, I have a resume. I think both are very good, but so far they haven't gotten me much. I'm stressed out about it. I mean, to the point that I want to cry every time someone asks me, "So, how's the job search going?"

Not well, people. It's not going well. And I feel like, because of this, people don't think I'm trying. They think I'm only applying for things in my field. I'm not. I'm applying for everything. Only no one seems to feel like hiring me.

Anyone who is currently in college, don't be fooled by flowery words about how a degree will change your life. It's good to have, but it doesn't mean you'll automatically be offered a job. Yes, employer's want degrees, but they also want several years of experience to go along with it. Something a fresh college graduate can't get if no one is will to give said "fresh college graduate" a chance. So, don't do what I did in college. I waited until my second to last year to start looking for internships. Start looking right away. There are a ton out there. They don't even have to be the DCP. Just find as many as you can and apply. The more hands on experience you have the better. Trust me on this one, folks.

Alright, that's all for today. I have errands to run today, but let me tell you that over the next few weeks there will be some changes to the blog. I still have footage from the program to post, but this blog will no longer be strictly about the program. I want to offer up an insider's knowledge on Disney to anyone planning to apply for the college program or take a Disney World trip. If you have questions, ask them. I will be happy to help in any way that I can.

I will try to pay more attention to my formspring. I may just start a new one all together as my old one tends to be spammed by other users and spambots. I know I currently have a few older questions on my formspring that I missed. I apologize to those of you who asked me something forever ago. You deserved an answer before now, and you will get one soon (even if you've already gotten the answer from someone else.)

Anyways, so if you notice this blog start to look and sound different just know that I am still willing to talk to anyone about the program. It was the greatest adventure of my life, thus far, and I am more than happy to pass on any knowledge or advice that I may have.

Thanks so much for reading! Best wishes to all of you, and good luck to any future Disney College Program students!