I graduated from college this past Saturday. WHAT?!
College was a HUGE part of my life. I changed so much during these past four years, and learned a lot about myself in the process. I joined a sorority (was even President for a year!), made
countless memories around campus, and had several moments of success as well as failure. Most importantly, I made friendships that I know will last a
lifetime. In the years leading up to graduation, I was so excited to start my "real life".
But during this last
semester, I couldn’t help but feel some underlying dread. What would come next? Would anything come next? For a girl who had just dedicated four years to sorority life,
being part of countless clubs and organizations, I was so afraid to
leave it all behind. What if I couldn’t find a job? What if I couldn’t
find friendships out here in the “real world”, like I did while in
college? What if I lost touch with the friends I already had, or they forgot about me?! The early stages of my final semester definitely felt like I was having a constant panic attack.
That is, until a certain opportunity came around.
I was told about the Disney College Program from a friend at school early in my final semester.
She had just returned to our small college town after being away at Walt Disney World for an entire semester. I was nervous that I had missed my
opportunity since I was set to graduate at the end of this semester and wouldn't technically be a college student anymore.
She assured me that wasn't the case.
I researched, researched, and researched the program, then applied on
a whim, because I didn't want to miss the deadline. At the time I was also applying to Teach for America, but I just didn't feel confident with either of them, so I tried to tell myself that I wouldn't care that much if I didn't get it. It wasn’t until I found out I had an actual phone interview (the final stage of the interview process) that I
realized I was getting pretty excited about the whole thing, and was actually hoping I would get the chance to participate.
I spent days researching what kind of questions they would ask me,
how to talk with a smile (the people over the phone can totally tell if
you are smiling or not!), and what living in Florida would be like if I actually got accepted. I had my phone interview March 11th, and I thought it went really well. I felt very prepared, and I was so comfortable with my interviewer. At the end of the interview, she said, "Have a magical day!" Even though a lot of people get a "pending" status, sometimes for weeks, I was
offered a position just three days later. It was an awesome way to start spring break, and I finally had a plan for after graduation! In an instant I got a severe case of senioritis and I blew off turning in an assignment for a class... and then remembered that I actually still needed to graduate at the end of the semester.
My
acceptance email told me that I would be working at The Pirate’s League, a small
boutique-like store in the Adventureland section of the Magic Kingdom. PL sells packages that allows guests
to be dressed up as pirates, which is basically an interactive experience that includes full makeup, props, and other accessories. I was ecstatic! I would be moving ACROSS
THE COUNTRY to work at DISNEY WORLD as a PIRATE!
In a nutshell,sSorority life has taught me the importance of serving others, and
making dreams come true at Disney World is the absolute best way I can think of doing
this. I feel like I am in a dream, and I am so excited for what is
next! I will make the big move to Florida on June 6th, where the adventure is sure to continue!
