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Rochelle Rich

Insight Integration Manager

I was just looking for a fun summer job... I was a sophomore at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., when I discovered the Walt Disney World® College Program. I worked in Merchandise at Mickey's Starland in the Magic Kingdom® Park (It is now called Mickey's ToonTown fair.) When I got home, I could not stop talking about Disney - my parents thought I was nuts!

When I returned to school, I found that writing papers and participating in class became a breeze because I had so many experiences I could talk about. I thought I was just selling souvenirs, but what I didn't realize was how much exposure I got to the corporate world and general business practices. I always had a point of reference to think about as I listened to a professor or studied different business topics.

I returned in an advanced internship* at Casting and spent a semester helping people apply for jobs at Walt Disney World. I became very knowledgeable about the employment process, and it exposed me to all types of roles within the Human Resource field. Then, I completed another advanced internship at Epcot® Guest Relations. I learned so much working directly with the Guests, and five months later, I was selected for my first full-time job back at Casting.

Over the years, I have worked for The Disney University, opened the Disney Learning Center in the Downtown Disney® area and served as the Disney's Coronado Springs Resort Guest/Cast Experience Manager. A year ago, I transferred to my current role, Insight Integration Manager at Disney's Port Orleans Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. I use Guest feedback to help leaders at my resorts decide where they can make the biggest impact and improve their Guest experience.

This year I'm celebrating my official 10th year with Disney. The best advice I can give a current College Program participant is to be the best at your current job - no matter what job you're doing. You need to build relationships based on a reputation of being a good worker, a team player and someone with a great attitude. My College Program experience helped me get a better education, and each work experience allowed me to grow as a person and meet people that have made my life better today.

Rochelle Rich
Insight Integration Manager

* "Advanced Internships" and "Management Internship"s are now called "Professional Internships". Additional information is available here.

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