This summer I am lucky enough to be working at Walt Disney World as a Professional Intern. Although I have only completed my Freshman year at SC, the high school credits I earned made me eligible for the Disney Internship. Besides the obvious perks of working at the “Happiest Place on Earth”, the experience I have gained thus far at Disney has been invaluable.
I am currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at SC; however, this summer I am working as an Environmental Engineer in Environmental Programs & Integration. This means I focus on data collection and analysis, trying to identify problems and solutions to Environmental Problems and make Disney more energy efficient in the process. As part of my job, I frequently perform walk-throughs at both the Parks and Resorts, attend meetings about various projects, and interact with Cast Members from a variety of disciplines.
This has been an unbelievable opportunity so far, since I have gained an understanding of how broad Engineering is; I have learned there is truly no limit to where I can take my degree. On a daily basis, I interact with people from all types of Engineering backgrounds; each is dedicated to a specific aspect of a project that matches their areas of study. It has been amazing to see how many different elements must come together for a project to be completed successfully, and it has taught me the true collaborative nature of Engineering. Beyond this, working in an office setting has really given me a taste of the professional world, teaching me not only how to work collaboratively on a professional level, but also what it means to be an Engineer outside of the classroom.
Choosing to work at Disney was one of the most important decisions I have ever made. I am having a blast and I am learning every second of the way, but more than that, I am solidifying my decision to study Engineering. Working in a professional Engineering environment has helped me to confirm that this is something I would like to do as a career. This internship has helped me understand my professional goals and will therefore help guide me through the remainder of my studies.
