Molly Wallace, graphic design student, and soon-to-be RMCAD alumna in December 2022, is currently interning at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. As an online senior, she is a big fan of the school’s online program. “My first semester I commuted from Boulder and then realized how great the online set up is – I’ve been online ever since,” says Wallace.
Since she started studying graphic design, she explains how it has molded into something totally different, better than what she initially expected. She shares her Disney internship experience and how RMCAD has helped her get to where she is today.
Can you tell us about your internship at Walt Disney World?
There is so much to say about this internship. It really has always been a dream of mine to work at Disney. My mom actually worked for Disney when I was younger. The people I interviewed with and the people I work with now are truly some of the best people in the world. I feel really lucky as Disney has always been a place where I could explore my creativity. When I was a kid, it was the first place I took photographs and where I would sketch and draw in my Minnie and Mickey sketch pads. It has always been a kind of a hub for me to explore my artistic side.
What do your day-to-day responsibilities look like as an intern?
It is pretty intense, with a five day a week, 9-5 schedule. You are really thrown into it, which I greatly appreciate because that means they have a lot of trust in us. I am currently working for the safety and health department and complete a good mix of graphic design and communications assignments. I deliver visuals or posters to encourage the cast about safety practices and also get to interview employees and write articles. So not only does graphic design come into play, but also I get to explore the art of storytelling. The creatives on our team are everything and when I get feedback from them, I’m like wow you’ve really steered me in the right direction.
What advice would you give to other students?
I would suggest to everybody at RMCAD to utilize the great resources at the school and speak with the Career and Alumni Services team. They provided great advice on resume building and how to make a cover letter. One thing that I think really helped me get my internships was that I made my resume and cover letter match each specific job posting. In addition, for artists in general, don’t be afraid to consume as much media as possible. I sometimes get mad at myself for how much TV I watch, but at the end of the day, I am getting ideas – everything has an element of art to it.
How has this internship helped shape you for your future career?
This Disney internship has taught me how to be a better communicator and how to explain my design decisions. There is definitely this sense of heightened professionalism at Disney. They are the epitome of perfection and I guess it has just helped me round out the way that I deliver things and communicate. It has taught me a lot about what it is like to work in a big industry.
To learn more about internship opportunities at RMCAD, reach out to our Career + Alumni Services team or visit here for more information.
*This story was updated and edited for clarity and brevity.
