From Disney UNCF Scholar to Associate Account Manager
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned success story? There's something undeniably captivating about witnessing someone set goals and achieve their dreams. If stories like this excite you, then you’re going to love this former Disney UNCF Scholar’s journey!
Meet Aliyah, a two-time Disney Intern who was introduced to the company through the Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars program. Through this immersive program, Aliyah interned with the Client Communications Digital Ad Sales team. “I was accepted into the UNCF cohort alongside 20 other incredible students. My time with the Client Communications team was nothing short of a dream! For the first time in my professional career, I was able to tap into the right hemisphere of my brain and showcase my creativity for almost all the networks across the Walt Disney Company,” Aliyah said. According to Aliyah, she knew from the very start of her internship that Disney was her home.
Following her time as a UNCF Scholar, Aliyah continued her Disney career as a Linear Ads Operations Intern, where she got to assist account managers across several lines of business, including ESPN. “I was introduced to the wondrous world of sports while assisting ESPN account managers with their daily responsibilities. Never would I have guessed that I would be in their shoes just a few months later,” said Aliyah.
Well, that’s exactly what happened! Today, she’s a Linear Associate Account Manager with ESPN, working for the team she supported as an intern. This full-circle moment was the perfect cherry on top of Aliyah’s already amazing start to her Disney career. In her current role, she oversees proposals and is the post-sales go-to contact for various advertisers who book commercial spots on sports networks. She implements agency requests that come up, responds to business needs to fill commercial availability, and works with a cross-functional team to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
According to Aliyah, her role “assists in maximizing Disney's annual linear revenue. Sports fans are undoubtedly dedicated to their favorite teams, creating the perfect platform for advertisers to locate their ideal consumers. As sports is an incredibly lucrative segment of entertainment, I take pride in overseeing and managing a high volume of ad spots, ensuring that each one runs correctly to help external teams reach a broad and diverse audience to build the company.”
Aliyah is a highly passionate individual and is inspired by the Walt Disney Company’s effect on millions of people every day. “It may be my nostalgia talking, but Disney played a vital part in shaping my childhood memories, and I want to assist in bringing that magic for generations to come. When one segment of Disney succeeds, everyone succeeds, and I find great joy in reading about the ongoing projects from a mix of teams to visualize what the future of the company holds,” Aliyah said.
However, that Disney passion is not something new for Aliyah. It’s something that’s been in her heart since she was young and has birthed her dream of being a magic maker. Aliyah says, “To this day, I can't listen to any iteration of "When You Wish Upon a Star" without tearing up; it takes me back to the heartfelt memories I have as a kid, hearing it while watching a Disney movie with my family as we all sat on the couch sharing smiles and laughter.” These are the type of memories that made Aliyah want to work for Disney. At the exact moment, she knew what her career was. “I always knew I wanted to spread the same joy Disney has given me to people around the globe." Fast forward a decade. That same dream she carried throughout life led her to the UNCF Scholars Program, and here she is now as the full-time cast member she always dreamed of being.
Aliyah’s journey exemplifies the essence of what the Disney UNCF Corporate Scholars program is all about. Through mentorship and educational support, she honed her skills and expanded her horizons, fully immersing herself in the magic of storytelling and entertainment. Aliyah's journey reflects the program's commitment to nurturing diverse talent and providing opportunities for growth and success. Her dedication, coupled with the program's guidance, empowered her to flourish into a confident and capable professional, ready to make a lasting impact in the industry she loves. Aliyah's story is a testament to the power of education and mentorship, embodying the spirit of the Disney UNCF Scholars program in every step of her inspiring journey. Congratulations Aliyah!!