So I got this question in my DMs last week – “What are companies like Disney grad programs?”. Honestly? It kinda threw me at first. Disney’s that big shiny name everyone drools over, right? But here’s the thing – not everyone makes the cut. So I grabbed my laptop and a giant iced coffee and started digging.
First Step Was Brutal Honesty
I asked myself: why do people actually want Disney? Is it just the brand? Nah, deeper stuff. I made a messy list in my notes app:
- The ✨wow factor✨ of working on famous IPs
- Structured training rotations
- Stupidly good networking
- That “pixie dust” company culture
My Hunt Strategy
Started simple – googled “media company grad programs”. Instant regret. Got buried under ads and trash listicles. Switched tactics:
- Checked LinkedIn for Disney grads to see where they jumped ship later
- Dove into Reddit hell (so many arguing nerds in career forums)
- Texted three friends in entertainment who ignored me for 48 hours
The Ugly Truth I Found
Most “Disney alternatives” are either way smaller or crazy competitive. Like NBCUniversal? Yeah they have programs, but good luck competing against Ivy League robots. Found this depressing pattern:
- Big studios = insane competition
- Small studios = zero structure
- Mid-size = weird hybrid messes
Surprise Winners
After wasting three evenings, actually found gems nobody talks about:
DreamWorks Animation Early Careers – Friend’s cousin did this. They rotate you through story/tech teams. Basically Disney training but with more dragons.
Warner Bros Discovery Launch Program – Didn’t even know this existed til Reddit. People either love it or call it a glorified coffee run.
Riot Games University – Yeah, it’s gaming not film, but holy crap their mentorship is next level. Plus free arcade machines?
The Final Checklist
After all that digging, I tell people now: stop chasing Disney’s shadow. Look for:
- Can you touch real projects? Or just filing papers?
- Do seniors actually mentor? Or ghost you?
- Will they pay more than ramen money?
- Does the vibe make you wanna puke or stay late?
Ended the week realizing Disney isn’t some holy grail. That fancy name? Doesn’t mean squat if you’re stuck scanning Mickey Mouse fanmail all summer. Sometimes chasing the “small fish” gets you way further.
