Learning, Growing and Collaborating as a Disney UK Apprentice
Apprenticeships at The Walt Disney Company present a unique opportunity to work side-by-side with industry leaders gaining practical, real-world experience while studying towards an apprenticeship qualification. Read on to meet Lucy, a Market Research Apprentice within the Brand Management team.
“My daily routine involves communicating with both internal and external stakeholders to provide data and insights tailored to their needs. Whether it’s responding to ad hoc requests such as helping the marketing team with campaign analysis or contributing to ongoing projects, I help ensure our teams have the information necessary to make informed decisions,” Lucy says.
To be successful in a market research role, Lucy says it helps to have a natural sense of curiosity and willingness to dig deeper into what influences audiences and trends.
“Being able to spot small details and ensure accuracy is important, especially when working with large data sets. Creativity also plays a big part as it allows you to present findings in a way that is both engaging and easy for others to understand.”
Lucy’s favorite part of her role is the collaborative nature of the work, allowing her to partner with and learn from many teams across the business including marketing, product development and franchise planning.
“It’s especially rewarding to see how the data I’ve contributed to can help bring ideas to life across the company. There is also a real sense of ownership as I’m encouraged to present my thoughts and suggest new approaches to the projects I’m involved with.”
Throughout her apprenticeship, Lucy has many magical memories to reflect on. “It’s incredible how much I’ve managed to do in the first six months. Some highlights include going on a Disney cruise, attending the Toy Fair to learn about industry trends firsthand, joining a ‘women in research’ event to connect with inspiring professionals and enjoying movie screenings in the office. I also had the chance to volunteer and pack gifts for the MediCinema charity over Christmas as well as a trip to Selfridges to see the Disney x Selfridges takeover in action.”
An apprenticeship with Disney pushes young professionals to grow and develop in their career through unique on-the-job opportunities.
“A standout project for me was the ‘Unwrapping Trends’ presentation I helped deliver to over 200 stakeholders. I was able to share key insights from our research, such as toy trends throughout the year, kids content behaviors, bringing all of this information together in a visual and engaging way,” said Lucy.
Learning the importance of stepping outside of her comfort zone and be unafraid to ask questions was key for Lucy during her apprenticeship.
“For me, choosing to do an apprenticeship was a big decision especially since most people I knew were heading off to university. It was a little scary to take a different path, but I realised that hands-on learning suited me much better. The experience has shown me how valuable it is to follow what feels right for you personally and I’m grateful for all the support, training and growth opportunities that Disney has given me,” said Lucy.
From boosting her confidence and presentation abilities to honing technical skills in research software and Microsoft platforms, Lucy’s apprenticeship has helped her grow personally and professionally, while also representing a truly special opportunity to be part of the Disney legacy.
“Growing up, Disney brought so much magic and joy into my life, and it feels incredible to now be part of the team that creates those same experiences for others. It’s inspiring to collaborate with industry professionals, partner with such iconic brands and play a role in bringing Disney magic to new generations,” said Lucy.
Thinking about applying to an apprenticeship at Disney?
Here’s Lucy’s advice: “Go for it! The support for apprentices is exceptional, not only are you given time and resources to stay on top of your studies, but there are also numerous opportunities for in-house training, social events and volunteering. You’re given responsibility from the outset and made to feel valued.”
