Keeping the Magic Alive (Even in Times of Sorrow)
As a former Disney Cast Member, I felt compelled to write something about the recent layoffs that have affected a huge portion of people that I love and care deeply about.
The collective heartbreak, anguish, and despair that has resulted from 28,000 layoffs across two of its properties is unconceivable to even string into words.
However, it’s in situations of sadness and unprecedented times that the value of community is more important than ever.
Learning to reflect on your positive experiences, professional skillsets gained, and the incredible mentors and leaders who were part of your true family in this company is possibly the greatest gift you can do for yourself in a difficult time.
Here are a few tips I’ve crafted to help you to keep moving forward.
Create a master resume/CV
First off, you’ll want to document all of your past projects, accomplishments, awards, and responsibilities in every role you’ve had — before you forget about them.
Word vomit as much as you can remember about every role you’ve held in the Resort. Focus on key accomplishments, any numerical values and attendance statistics, and how you helped to achieve a result (rather than just writing what your task was).
This will help you in the long-run when you’re tailoring your resume/CV and cover letter (over and over again) for every new job that you apply to. My own master resume is 20-something pages long, so I can just copy and paste snippets into a new resume template when necessary.
Click here for some amazing resume tips from a former Walt Disney World ambassador (Caitlin Busscher) here.
Create a spreadsheet of contacts
If you worked at Disney, you have a wealth of key contacts, names, and leaders who influenced, inspired, and motivated you to be a better person.
Whether or not you have their contact information (email, LinkedIn), add their full name to the spreadsheet and then sort it alphabetically. Add a “Notes” column with 1–2 sentences per contact, indicating why that particular person was so helpful and influential to you and your career.
Trust me, in 5–10 years, it’ll be difficult to remember names. This spreadsheet is one of the most valuable things I created when I was 20, wide-eyed, and fresh out of uni.
Create a portfolio
It doesn’t matter whether you worked in engineering or marketing — you should always have an online portfolio.
There are thousands of free resources to help you, like Contently. Make sure you update it on a regular basis to stay up-to-date with your recent projects.
Add this link to your resume/CV and LinkedIn bio so that recruiters can see samples of your past work.
And if you think you don’t have any work samples for a portfolio — um, chances are, you do; you just don’t realise it. There are probably endless arrays of things you’ve created in your experience with Disney that showcases your talents and strengths.
Heck, you can even add in photo collages and indicate how you used various skills (i.e. problem-solving and sales pitching) in certain situations — be a storyteller. Frame every caption and description like a story whenever possible, as if you’re branding yourself with every word you use.
“Just keep swimming”
As much as it feels like you’re drowning in a water vortex, you need to keep swimming.
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
– Walt Disney
Progress isn’t made by wallowing in the past. There’s sadly nothing that can be done to change life events that have already taken place.
Instead, focus on the present — keep pushing forward, even if it’s forcing yourself to be productive on a daily basis.
Productivity takes many forms, from searching and applying for jobs, networking, honing a new skill, going for daily walks, meditating, or even pursuing one of your passions (i.e. roller skating or cooking).
Whatever you choose to do, do something every day, and don’t beat yourself up over feeling lost and uncertain. You’re doing the very best you can, as long as you keep swimming.
Reinvent yourself
Everyone, whether you realise it or not, has struggled in their own life in some capacity and overcome obstacles to be where they are today.
In the moment, something may seem like rock bottom, as if there isn’t any hope left. I know, because I’ve been in that position– several times.
But I’m not here to lecture you about how “the best things in life don’t come easy.”
Instead, take this unexpected hiccup as a time to reinvent yourself– become who you were always meant to be.
Let your passions shine through and try to dabble in something you love before jumping headfirst into another 9–5. Give yourself all the time you need to recuperate, reassess, and revaluate your next adventure.
Use your network and reach out for support
This is of utmost importance. Using your network as support in a time of need is absolutely crucial for your mental health, mindset, and overall well-being.
Yes, social media can be exhausting and overwhelming. It’s particularly draining this year, when all we seem to see on our feeds are countless arrays of sad stories being piled on top of each other like a never-ending tornado.
However, in the reality of social distancing, our phones happen to be our lifelines now. It’s not as easy to comfort in person, support, and lend a shoulder to cry on, so the advent of video chatting, calling, and messaging means more than ever.
And sometimes, the smallest gestures of care and support go the longest way, whether you realise this or not.
Stay in touch with your leaders, colleagues, and close friends. Let them know how you’re doing, ask how they’re doing, and try to stay as positive and uplifting as possible.
It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel your emotions. However, when you’re ready, you also need to pick yourself up, carry on, and collaborate with others – community is everything. Use it wisely to your advantage, both professionally and personally.
Always stay optimistic
As cliche as this sounds, you need to keep your mindset as positive as possible – especially in times of hardship.
While it’s perfectly acceptable to cry and feel your feelings, remember to frame things in a positive light. Never, ever badmouth a company or individual, especially online. Burning bridges is the worst thing you could ever do for yourself and reputation, and you’ll only regret it in the long run.
Instead, hold your head high, try to remain a beacon of light for others to be inspired by (even if you’re hurting as well), and maintain a positive mindset.
Studies show that those who keep a daily gratitude journal and have a positive frame of mind are more likely to succeed (and have a higher quality of life) than those who don’t. It’s just common sense, right?
Network and embrace social media
When you’re going through a career pivot, you’re most likely going to find your next job through connections — and not blindly applying for positions online.
The best thing I did for myself when I worked at Disney was network like there was no tomorrow. I scheduled so many informational sessions with leaders that I still have a Google spreadsheet of 200+contacts, a giant binder of career and leadership advice, and a novel-sized Google Doc full of notes that I took from each session.
The advice from all of these leaders, from various parts of the company, remains the most valuable life advice I could have ever received as the young, naive, uncertain intern that I was.
Fast forward seven years, and I don’t do informational interviews anymore — but I network like crazy on social media. I’ve used Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to my advantage at various parts of my life and received (and accepted some) job offers through all three platforms based on effective marketing and branding.
If there’s any advice I can pass on to any of you, it’s to take advantage of all the free resources out there. Don’t be afraid to ask to schedule a 10-minute video or phone call, or even a simple LinkedIn message to learn more about someone’s career trajectory and if they could impart any key advice for getting into a certain field.
If you need tips on making the most of your networking session, check out Caitlin Busscher’s video and article here.
Use your story to help others
While you might feel like you don’t want to share anything right now (trust me, I’ve been there), remember that every chapter in your story is worth telling.
You don’t need to tell it now, but further down the road, opening up about your story will also help you learn so much more about yourself and how far you’ve come.
You’ll reflect on this chapter in your life and realise how much stronger and more resilient it made you. You’ll realise that the hardest parts of your life are the ones which shaped you into the empowering warrior you are today.
And while I never thought about life as being something in which we were planted on this earth in order to leave a legacy, telling your story and being vulnerable actually makes you so much more relatable.
At the end of the day, if you end up only helping one person with your words, support, inspiration, writing, or any other type of media — you’ve still done your part.
For more on using your story to help others, click here.
Let your conscience be your guide
In difficult times, our emotions can be like a pendulum — and that’s okay.
Above all, listen to your heart. While it might feel like you don’t know which direction to turn next, the most important part is to stay grateful and humble for your experiences.
Your inner voice will help guide you to your next adventure in life, wherever and whatever that may be.
Summary
The Walt Disney Company was the start of my career and where I met a multitude of friends who became lifelong family, leaders who became mentors, and colleagues who became inspirations.
People may come in and out of your life, but you never truly forget them if they’ve made a lasting impact on you. Disney Cast Members have a way of touching lives in ways they’re not even aware of, and to say that I fulfilled my dream of being one is an accomplishment in itself.
As a traveler, I’ve also come to learn that it’s never about the destination — you remember a place always because of the people.
Reminisce on past memories, call up your friends for support, and remain grateful for the experiences you had at this magical place.
I saw someone’s status on LinkedIn that read, “If you were successful at Disney, you will be successful anywhere,” and every word of this rings true.
Stay positive, productive, confident, and remember that it’s not goodbye – it’s see ya real soon.
Additional Resources
To help you stay positive and inspired during this difficult time, here are some resources:
This beautiful article on life after Disney, via Caitlin Busscher, a former Walt Disney World ambassador
A document which highlights small shops and businesses to support of laid off/furloughed CMs (constantly being updated by the amazing Tiffany Mink)
Cast Member Pantry, which is helping CMs out (primarily for Walt Disney World Cast Members; something is in the works for Disneyland Cast Members as well. You can donate to the Venmo here)
Resources to help out Disneyland CMs in California here and here
Carlye Wisel’s Twitter, which is the best resource about all theme parks and updated news for CMs
Remote work options here
**This article was written through a lot of tears and a very heavy heart, but it shows that these memories were all incredibly meaningful, genuine, and priceless. No one can take these away from us, and once you’re a part of the Disney family, you’re always a part of it.
