Corporate- The Tragedy of TRYING to work at Disney

I want to work at Disney. Those are words that I have said or typed so often over the course of the past year, but regrettably it doesn't get you very far. Realistically, I think we all know that the Walt Disney Company is a normal American company; it seeks to make a profit, it has competitors, it struggles with many of the same issues as other companies, etc. However, there is also something entirely unique about it; cast members often call it "magic", but there is something tangible to the company. Disney instills a feeling inside of you that isn't often found anymore. If you go to Walt Disney World, watch Peter Pan, or simply listen to a Disney story you are suddenly transported to a happier place.
  Now, over the course of the past year I have applied to numerous Disney professional (graduate) internships and have sought some full-time positions, and it has become quite the ordeal. I have found numerous problems in trying to get your foot at the door at Disney that don't necessarily need to be there.

1. Geography and School Status: It makes sense that Disney often recruits from its hometown graduate schools, such as UCLA for corporate jobs, but there are thousands of other schools in the country with students that really do want to work for Disney. The internships are posted online, so anybody can apply, but other schools resumes don't seem to make it very far. I'm aware that Disney is searching for the "best and brightest", but lets also be realistic and find the "committed and passionate". Disney's CEO's didn't go to the top tier schools either- Bob Iger went to Ithaca, Michael Eisner went to Denison, etc. I'm not saying these aren't great schools, but they're also not considered top tier. Our grandmothers all taught us not to judge a book by its cover, but it seems this lesson goes away when it comes to hiring...why is that?

2. Experience. As i'm pursuing my graduate degree (MBA) I have sent in my resume and applied to over 14 positions that are appropriate for an MBA. Thus far, I have been denied 6. It is unclear why I am "no longer in consideration (a fact you have to find out by logging in, they don't send you anything)", but it appears that it is due to a "lack of suitable experience". Perhaps I am confused, but isn't an internship supposed to be the first step towards getting the suitable experience??? If somebody is in school for a subject, such as business, then ANY BUSINESS INTERNSHIP should theoretically suffice. Internships should not require past experiences otherwise one won't be able to change careers easily. Now I know that reality states that there are thousands of applicants to a low number of positions, but prior experience in the field is really a silly barometer to gauge applicants.

3. Timeline. After applying to these internships, you play the waiting game...and this game goes on a LONG time. There's nothing on the website to tell you any expected dates, but if you're applying for a SUMMER INTERNSHIP then you'd reasonably expect to find out sometime before the start of SUMMER. Since graduate programs traditionally end in may and resume in August, the summer goes from mid-may to mid-august. Well, It is now late April, and I still have not heard anything about the positions that i'm still in contention for. Publishing a "We'll let you know by date" would be very helpful because simply waiting incessantly is the wrong approach. People have to make plans!

4. Networking Reality. Unfortunately, if you want to work at Disney, it's all about networking. The problem is if you don't know anyone who works there then you're in big trouble. I live in Texas, Disney has very little presence here, but I have still attempted to build a network of Disney employees. The problem here is that your submitted resume simply goes onto a pile that essentially becomes a black hole. Most likely, these resumes aren't actually being read, but are being automatically screened by contracted agencies to weed out applicants. An effective networker will have someone grab their resume and take it to the decision maker with a note saying "I want this one!". If you don't have that, then you're in trouble, and it becomes like pushing back the waves. Many businesses, especially in this fragile economy, rely on networking to fill positions, but this shouldn't be the only way. There has to be a way for people with no connection to the company to show their desires and qualifications.

Applying to full-time positions is not much better. Everything is a waiting game with very little certainty. I hope to one day work my way into this impenetrable fortress, but don't yet know how that will happen. For now, just crossing my fingers!