Networking, Mentorship + Career Growth on the Disney College Program – Season 7, Episode 4
ON THIS EPISODE OF THE DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM PODCAST
Welcome back to season seven of the Disney College Program Podcast! On this episode, meet Jalin, a Guest Experience Manager at Disney Springs Guest Relations | Lost & Found, who started her Disney journey with the Disney College Program! On this episode, Jalin discusses one of the most popular words to hear during your time with Disney — networking!
Tune in to hear how to make networking more manageable in a company as expansive as Disney, and advice Jalin has for current Disney College Program participants looking to make connections both inside and outside of your roles!
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ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Colin is a Disney College Program participant from Maryville, TN. He attended Maryville College and graduated in 2025 with a degree in Theatre Studies. He participated in its choral department and was a student ambassador for the admissions office.
Disney has always been a huge part of his life, particularly the Disney Princesses. The music, stories and magic have all inspired him from a very young age. He applied to the Disney College Program on a whim before graduating, and it quickly became one of the best decisions he’d ever made. He is currently on his first program, making magic in an attractions role at Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland.
Networking 101
You’ve heard it mentioned more times than you can count, but what really is networking?
According to Jalin, networking at Disney means learning more about someone’s role and the work they put into getting there. Every Disney journey looks different — some people reach their goals in two years, while it could take others 10 years. This means every networking chat will look different too! Jalin offered some tips that helped her succeed in networking at Disney and land her current role with Guest Relations.
Tip 1: Connect with your captains and leaders
As a Disney College Program participant, your most direct line of support will be your captains and leaders! A great place to start your networking journey is by asking your captain or leader for a quick chat and sharing your passions and goals with them.
“They know so many people,” Jalin said. “They could know somebody in that industry or area that you want to work in.”
One conversation with members of your leadership team could take you to an opportunity you never would’ve expected!
Tip 2: Form genuine connections
While networking, it’s easy to jump right into questions about the persons’ career journey. However, Jalin emphasized the importance of forming a more natural connection with them before asking questions about their work.
“Be genuine with wanting to know who that person is, not just for their role, but who they are as a person,” Jalin said.
After your networking chat, following up afterwards and checking in a few weeks later can keep the connection going!
Tip 3: Don’t overlook the little things
Even if your Disney College Program role doesn’t completely align with your future career goals, it’s important not to underestimate the valuable experience you’re gaining!
Whether it’s working as a team to operate a Walt Disney World Resort attraction, problem-solving when a guest has a question, or just offering a friendly greeting to others working in your area, every moment of your Disney College Program is valuable.
“Just saying ‘hello, how’s your day’ makes a difference in someone’s life,” Jalin said. “You don’t know what that person is going through.”
Tip 4: Take breaks to regroup
Sometimes, networking meetings might not go the way you planned. That’s okay!
Jalin said that it’s important to learn from each conversation and note ways you can improve for your next conversation. That could mean preparing stronger questions, sharing more about yourself, or anything else you didn’t feel went as smoothly as it could have.
“Not everything is going to be perfect,” Jalin said. “But just pick yourself back up again and keep going at it.”
Jalin added that everyone networks at their own pace. Some people might have multiple networking meetings every month, while others schedule one conversation every six months.
There’s no right or wrong cadence for networking, do whatever works best for you!
Tip 5: Use your Disney skills wherever you go
Not every Disney College Program participant wants to stay with the company long-term.
In that case, you can still take your Disney networking experience with you to anywhere you apply! Create a bullet point list of what you learned on your Disney College Program or keep a list of career advice from networking conversations, all of this can help with future jobs!
“Not everyone has their whole careers here in Disney,” Jalin said. “Using the skills you learn here at Walt Disney World and outside, it helps who you are as a person.”
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