The Future

[EmptyCinema]

So... in December I'm going to be graduating with my B.S. in Computer Science. Unfortunately, this has led to me thinking about what I'm going to do in the real world come January. I've spent the last 5.5 years here between classes and doing technical support (can you say Stupid User Tricks?) and it's time to move on.

While I know this is not really something SGT specializes in, it seems that there are people here who have done EVERYTHING. Or maybe it's just Zazu. The trips I've taken to WDW have shaped a lot of my views on this but I'm not sure what to make of them.

I admit that 4 years ago, I don't know that I would have ever considered becoming a CM. But then again, 4 years ago, I didn't know what a CM was. :) However, interactions with a few CMs changed that significantly. I realized that, at Disney, the guys who operate the buses aren't bus drivers, they're mobile entertainers. The people behind cameras aren't photographers, they're memory storage experts. I can see the amazement on the faces of people who interact with these CMs... they never thought someone would go so far to make their trip better. There are moments I am certain guests will never forget.

One day, waiting for the 3-o'clock parade, a kid about 3 or 4 in a stroller spilt a bottle of water. While his mother took the opportunity to scold (scream at) the child, a nearby manager walked to an ODV cart and got a new bottle of water and a stack of napkins and tried to help with things. On another occasion, we were looking at our Photopass photos on the last day of our trip and a few photos we were really looking forward to just weren't there. A photopass CM spent a good 45 minutes helping us look through the system for them (searching by time, by location, etc.) and when they still didn't show up, took us out to get a few more replacement shots.**

Oops... kindof got off on a tangent there, sorry. Little bit of ADD this afternoon. ;) These occasions, and others, have always made me wish I could be a part of the magic making instead of the magic taking. I am continually amazed by the CMs like you all who show up day after day, despite management's and SGs best efforts to destroy you, and still put on the top-notch show.

On the other hand, I also enjoy what I've spent 5.5 years getting a degree for. I love the world of computers (my area's mainly in embedded systems). I also have to admit that I suspect that I would (comparatively) love the pay of the world of computers.

So I guess I'm looking for the magical insight from you all. How have you all discovered the balance to magic making? Many of you all have or could do a dozen other things, most of which would put you out of reach of SGs and stupid management, and most likely into a higher tax bracket. But yet, something must be there.

I'm sorry if this seems odd or completely off the wall, but it is something to struggle with. Any insight you all have (CMs or not) would be appreciated. :)



**That reminds me... anyone know a photopass CM named Chris from Lubbock, TX? In Dec. 06 he was working Main Street. He was trying to move to entertainment as a performer, but not sure if that ever worked out for him.

[Shorty82]

I will eventually finish school and get a degree but right now I'm happy where I am at. I really enjoy working at Walt Disney World and making magic for our guests. I can see myself staying at Disney forever, eventually into a more professional role but I'll be in hourly roles for a long time.

I know I'll never get rich working at WDW but I didn't start there to do that, I started there because I really love all things Disney and dreamed of working at WDW. I work 50 hours or so a week and have a nice apartment 20 minutes from work. I'm happy with where I am in my life right now.

There are roles that involve working with computers at WDW. A lot of them I would think since everything is so computerized these days. Sadly though the basic IT jobs are contracted out and the only CMs involved manage the projects. Hell, my understanding is that we rent the LAN drops used to hook up our registers! We rent LAN drops in buildings we own hooking up equipment we own, anybody else see a problem with that? Apparently the money crunchers decided it was cheaper this way than paying CMs to do the work and owning our own drops. I was shocked and annoyed when I found this out. I was hoping to one day get into IT with the company but that isn't going to happen if the jobs are all contracted out. I'm not sure about the people who work on our embedded systems, if they are CMs or contractors.

I'm against contracting out anything that Disney can do themselves and could probably do better than the contractors. That's a tangent for a different time though.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The only thing that I can tell you is that the biggest employer in the United States, is the U.S. Government. And they are always hiring IT personnel.

It also helps if you not only have your degree, but A+, NET+, MCSE, etc. etc.

and can get a security clearance.

[EmptyCinema]

The only thing that I can tell you is that the biggest employer in the United States, is the U.S. Government. And they are always hiring IT personnel.

It also helps if you not only have your degree, but A+, NET+, MCSE, etc. etc.

and can get a security clearance.

Yeah, but I'm not sure that would fit the criteria of interesting/rewarding OR well paid. :)

[hobie16]

Sadly though the basic IT jobs are contracted out and the only CMs involved manage the projects. Hell, my understanding is that we rent the LAN drops used to hook up our registers! We rent LAN drops in buildings we own hooking up equipment we own, anybody else see a problem with that? Apparently the money crunchers decided it was cheaper this way than paying CMs to do the work and owning our own drops. I was shocked and annoyed when I found this out. I was hoping to one day get into IT with the company but that isn't going to happen if the jobs are all contracted out. I'm not sure about the people who work on our embedded systems, if they are CMs or contractors.

You need to remember the bottom line of all these strategies IS the bottom line. Bob Eiger may get to do a lot of cool stuff but he only has one sentence in his job description. Maximize shareholder value.

If that means contracting some jobs out then that's what happens. Are you familiar with the phrase fully burdened cost? The rule of thumb is, whatever an employee is paid, double it to determine the actual cost of that employee to the company. Costs include salary, taxes, FICA, health benefits, electricity, phone, HVAC, uniforms, training, etc. Some use more, some use less so it all balances out.

Many companies have determined they can avoid many of the costs by using contractors and laying all the extras off to another company. It may not seem right but you have to remember the bottom line. It dictates just about everything most companies do these days.

Here's an example. I worked for a company that sold a network cache system that would reduce network bandwidth needs which reduced costs. I ran the corporate demo room where I showed the system's capabilities to customers. One of the technical instructors asked me to show her class how our stuffed worked real world as she was having a tough time convincing them it was good stuff.

I started out showing them how it worked but the body language was very negative so I tried a different tack. I asked how many had stock options in their company. All did. I explained how expenses reduced the bottom line which reduced the price of their options. I then explained that, with our system, they could stabilize and even reduce the amount of bandwidth required which would improve the bottom line and increase the share price. By the time I got done they were all ready to buy stock in our company.

[drcorey]

So... in December I'm going to be graduating with my B.S. in Computer Science. Unfortunately, this has led to me thinking about what I'm going to do in the real world come January. I've spent the last 5.5 years here between classes and doing technical support (can you say Stupid User Tricks?) and it's time to move on.

While I know this is not really something SGT specializes in, it seems that there are people here who have done EVERYTHING. Or maybe it's just Zazu. The trips I've taken to WDW have shaped a lot of my views on this but I'm not sure what to make of them.

I admit that 4 years ago, I don't know that I would have ever considered becoming a CM. But then again, 4 years ago, I didn't know what a CM was. :) However, interactions with a few CMs changed that significantly. I realized that, at Disney, the guys who operate the buses aren't bus drivers, they're mobile entertainers. The people behind cameras aren't photographers, they're memory storage experts. I can see the amazement on the faces of people who interact with these CMs... they never thought someone would go so far to make their trip better. There are moments I am certain guests will never forget.

One day, waiting for the 3-o'clock parade, a kid about 3 or 4 in a stroller spilt a bottle of water. While his mother took the opportunity to scold (scream at) the child, a nearby manager walked to an ODV cart and got a new bottle of water and a stack of napkins and tried to help with things. On another occasion, we were looking at our Photopass photos on the last day of our trip and a few photos we were really looking forward to just weren't there. A photopass CM spent a good 45 minutes helping us look through the system for them (searching by time, by location, etc.) and when they still didn't show up, took us out to get a few more replacement shots.**

Oops... kindof got off on a tangent there, sorry. Little bit of ADD this afternoon. ;) These occasions, and others, have always made me wish I could be a part of the magic making instead of the magic taking. I am continually amazed by the CMs like you all who show up day after day, despite management's and SGs best efforts to destroy you, and still put on the top-notch show.

On the other hand, I also enjoy what I've spent 5.5 years getting a degree for. I love the world of computers (my area's mainly in embedded systems). I also have to admit that I suspect that I would (comparatively) love the pay of the world of computers.

So I guess I'm looking for the magical insight from you all. How have you all discovered the balance to magic making? Many of you all have or could do a dozen other things, most of which would put you out of reach of SGs and stupid management, and most likely into a higher tax bracket. But yet, something must be there.

I'm sorry if this seems odd or completely off the wall, but it is something to struggle with. Any insight you all have (CMs or not) would be appreciated. :)



**That reminds me... anyone know a photopass CM named Chris from Lubbock, TX? In Dec. 06 he was working Main Street. He was trying to move to entertainment as a performer, but not sure if that ever worked out for him.

apply to Disney!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Yeah, but I'm not sure that would fit the criteria of interesting/rewarding OR well paid. :)

?? most IT's START at GS-9 or 11, can go as high as 14 without becoming supervisory. And its a paycheck every two weeks....AND unlike the private sector, they don't lay you off after a project is done.

as too interesting...working on state of the art equiptment on classified projects isn't interesting?

agencies recruiting:
FBI, CIA, DHS, SSA, OMB, DOJ, DOA, and so on..

Food for thought.

[BRWombat]

...I realized that, at Disney, the guys who operate the buses aren't bus drivers, they're mobile entertainers...

Shhh! Don't let Wallaby see this.

[Shorty82]

Shhh! Don't let Wallaby see this.

Well, they used to be. Now the drivers have to let the dumb box do the "entertaining" and now so many of the drivers are just drivers, not entertainers in any way.

[felinefan]

I have an account on USAJOBS.Gov, and last night I put in for a job with the commissaries. If you are not a veteran, or current/former civil service employee, you have to apply for jobs listed "public" on the "Who may apply" line of the job description. A couple of months ago, I applied for a job as a clerk, though it said U.S. citizens and status applicants; I notice now they have put a notice in big red letters that if you're not a current or former civil service employee or veteran, you must apply for jobs labeled Public.

The great thing is, with pay grade 01, you don't need experience or education, other than a high school diploma, to qualify. Not all positions require a security clearance, but check the description. With the luck I've had, or rather lack thereof, in getting a job lately, trying to get into a job where you need experience, yet they refuse to hire you in order to give you experience, the old Catch-22, is the pits. No wonder my work record is so spotty. I have no problem passing the drug and background check, but what holds me back is the lack of updated job skills. The government is willing to train in the low grades, and--I checked with snopes.com, it appears to be true--if you get a job with the government, you really gotta screw up before they fire you. Job security at it's best! Let's see a civilian company do that!