INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Alex Maher
This is my very first official informational interview; However, I have spoken informally with professionals in my field of interest.
Any other interviews I have taken part in, were not informational, but more direct as I conducted the interview for articles in a school newspaper. These interviews used quotes from the interviewee and were informal.
I spoke with a Senior Character Artist from the Walt Disney Company, Alex Maher. Being raised by an artist, and in a family that was immersed in Disney, Maher always knew he had to work for the company one day. He started in the Navy, and worked as an illustration draftsman creating lots of graphics and design work for them. In that time, he took every moment he could to learn about Walt and the brand of his company. After the military, he moved to South Florida and became a freelance graphic designer, while working on multiple projects such as movie production, set design, and storyboarding.
Soon after marriage, Maher found his way up to Orlando, and began knocking on doors until he found his place in the Walt Disney Company. This was the first piece of advice that I took away from my interview with Alex. He mentioned that it's not easy to just jump into the company right away; you have to make those connections and work towards your goal. Maher told me the story of his family, giving up his job and dropping everything to move to Orlando and begin his dream job hunt. Knocking on every door he could, he made connections left and right until he finally knocked on the right door and found his way to the merchandise department. He mentioned to me that learning as much as you can about the brand, the company, and the history, will help you in the long run.
Maher found his home in the merchandise department, working with already beloved characters and creating merchandise designs and products. Maher introduced me to the idea of learning every skill you can, even if you don't know when, or if, you’ll ever use it again. Focusing on one goal and only working toward that one goal, while knocking down every opportunity that comes your way, will not go well. Learning and honing every opportunity you come across, will help you find your set of skills and help you build your ladder towards your end career goal. For Maher, it wasn’t a “want” to work for Disney, it was his home and a company he knew he had to work for.
After learning about some issues he had to overcome in his career, Maher explained that all of his work isn’t done to please his leaders or to please the timeline. Maher’s end goal for his work is to make it quality. Understanding that this is a business is one thing, but while working for the Walt Disney Company, Maher knew he had to make everything quality, and up to Walt’s standards. This is a very important mindset for him, and something I will focus on in my career path to work for this company. Even if he isn’t here to oversee my work personally, everything is set to what he would approve.
I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with Alex Maher. I learned a lot, not only about his career path and how he got to where he is today, but specifically about working for the company and what to look for in the future. I’m excited to start using this information now, and in the future of my career path and goal to work for The Walt Disney Company.
David Kinney
As this is my second informational interview, I found it very easy to relay these questions to my interviewee, and understood how to put their answers into writing. I’m very glad to have these opportunities to learn from these individuals.
I spoke with a Guest Experience Manager for the Walt Disney Company, David Kinney. Starting with a path similar to mine, David began his career with the Walt Disney Company as a Disney College Program participant after graduating college in 2010. Starting in quick service food and beverage in Magic Kingdom, David graduated from his program and stayed in a seasonal role with Cosmic Rays Cafe. Soon after, David moved into a full time role in Merchandise at Magic Kingdom, and after a year later, was promoted to a coordinator at Mouse Gear in Epcot. After 2.5 years, David was then promoted to a Guest Experience Manager with Park Arrivals in Epcot, and has been in this role for 5 years. I had the privilege of having David as my leader during my College Program in Epcot Park Arrivals Merchandise in 2019.
David jumped through a lot of personal hoops to get where he is today. Since his college program, he knew he wanted to move up into leadership. However, he knew it would take a lot of time and hard work to move up. After overcoming his own patience, listening to his mentors, and acknowledging himself for his great work, David was promoted 5 years into his career. “Everything comes in its own time, and learning to live in the moment was difficult when I wanted so badly to be at the next step” David said. David knew his role was an important one, especially when responsible for the new Pandora Line when it came to him as a coordinator at Mouse Gear. David worked hard when it came to this new project, and was quickly recognized for his efforts, ultimately leading him to his promotion to a Guest Experience Manager.
While working for Disney wasn’t David's overall end goal, his participation in the Disney College Program changed that. After graduating college with a pre-med degree and every intention of going to med school, David decided the Disney College Program was his next step. He quickly realized that making magic in the parks was one of the best jobs you could have, after creating a very magical experience for a particular little boy during his program. David said to me that “moments like this is what makes working for Disney so special and really touched my heart to know this is the job for me. A job where I can create happiness day in and day out.” During my own program, I always looked to David for advice when it came to moving up in the company. In this interview, he repeated to me that working hard is something that will get you right where you want to be. He also mentioned to never be afraid to let people know of your dreams and aspirations, you don’t want to be overlooked for your dream role because your leaders didn’t know that you were working for that position. David further mentioned to continue to seek development by letting others know you want it.
I further asked David what advice he had for the application/interview process of a career opportunity. He quickly acknowledged that the interview is the strongest component of the whole process. The resume will be similar for all applicants, however, its how you can talk your resume and talk your experience that sets you apart from the other candidates. Having these stories that show your skills ready, will help your interviewer see your passion for your career and your readiness to be apart of the team.
I loved getting to catch up with David on all things Merchandise, and I was really happy to hear more about his professional story, as well as ways I can improve mine as I work through my career. I look to David as a high inspiration, as well as previous mentor, in my personal career, and I look forward to using his advice in the coming days.