Digital Marketing Intern - Disney Channels Review

My placement hasn't been easy, but is has been very enjoyable. The workload has been stressful at times. I get to work on a variety of different tasks, so every day is new and interesting. My team are lovely and great role models, so I feel very lucky! I would do it all over again if I could.

My colleagues treat me with respect and decency at all times. I know I am a valued member of the team, and my contribution matters and makes a difference. I am even trusted so much to lead projects, with minor supervision from my managers. I get to branch out and try new areas if I want, which is something I feel lucky to be able to do.

As part of my university course, I need to have in depth 1-1's with my managers two times a year. These are super rewarding to learn about what I'm good at and where I can improve. Every week I also have a catch up with my two managers about my current workload, and they let me know what jobs I can do for them.

It varied SO MUCH. One week I would be absolutely rushed off my feet and stressed out - the next I would have so little to do I would just watch Disney content to get to know the brand (and pass time...). Overall - I feel I received a decent amount of work - enough to challenge me but never enough to make me want to quit!!!

I was given a lot of responsibility from day 1 - but I always had help with managing tasks when I needed it. I managed quite a few tasks, created briefs, post campaign analysis'. I wouldn't have wanted more responsibility than I was given - it was the right amount to give me experience but not too much I crumbled. What I did made a difference.

I think it will help me a lot, because I have been able to implement what I learnt in the classroom over the past year and this will assist in my studies when I return back to university. Getting to see marketing in real life helps you to get a grounded understanding of the industry.

The office is split up into several 'phases' and floors - and I know each segment of the office has a completely different atmosphere based on the department. I work in the marketing side of Disney Channels and my space is fun, calm and sociable. Don't let this fool you - we are still busy and work orientated but the comfortable environment really helps to make days better.

Disney are absolute pro's at having interns, with something huge like 200 interns (10% of the office)... You may find the IT and systems take a week or so to be fully set up, but aside from that the placement scheme is like clockwork and goes off without a hitch!

I feel like as there are so so many interns, you don't necessarily get many intern-wide training opportunities. There is a big 'Welcome to Disney' day where you get to learn all about the company, as well as a day with the agency we work with where we got to learn all about how we work with them and what they do. There are groups such as Women @ Disney, Disney Pride and Disney Diversity which often hold lectures and talks which are good for learning. The only thing I wish, was that they had intern specific sessions on how to handle full time work, manage stress and workload etc as it can be hard to book onto them on the Disney Learn system.

I enjoy working at Disney, but I personally do not want to work in Childrens TV forever. I would come back to Disney but perhaps in a role more suitable to my interests. The atmosphere in the office is great, but that depends a lot on your team and obviously each team is different! The work perks of a permanent full time employee are fab too - free Disneyland tickets, screenings of films during work times, discount at Disney Stores etc!

When you get the job they add you to a Facebook group to connect with the other interns in your year. This allows you to find housemates who are also interns. In the summer we all watched the world cup together, went to the pub after work and had a bunch of night outs. This slowed down in the winter (because no one wants to do anything in bad weather). In the winter there is an intern organised 'Wintern Ball' which is the social highlight of the year. A fancy meal and night of dancing with all your intern friends. If you are in the creative circuit, you will get forwarded invites to music group parties too. These are a good way to meet people in the industry, hang out with colleagues and get free food and drink allllll nightttt!!

London is expensive. Expect to pay £800+ on rent alone... Food is also expensive. Socialising is expensive. Somehow, if you take student loan and get your regular salary you can afford it all! I don't do any major budgeting and am conscious about how much I spend (food,going out) but don't restrict myself too much and I'm ok. We earn 3k less than the interns in the next cohort so I'm sure they'll be fine.

In West London there isn't a major amount to do, lots of pubs and a couple of bars. There are good links to Central London though - and the nightlife there is sensational. Couldn't ask for more to do - want a circus theme club? You got it. Pretty much anything you can think of exists.

Disney don't have many clubs or sports teams. There are groups like Women @ Disney, Disney Diversity and Disney PRIDE which run events outside of work sometimes but those are the main ones. I know there is also a choir which people can get involved in. Often there are film screenings of new releases during and after work but thats about it.