My Year in Toronto: Skills for the Creative Workplace
Introduction
Hi friends! I hope you are all enjoying your summer so far! As most of you know, I am returning to Florida to participate in another Disney internship for the year. Recently, while filling out paperwork to start my job as a cast member again, I had to decide what city to put on my nametag. Since I don’t live at home anymore and we’ve moved to a new town, I mainly spend my time in Toronto. I texted my mom, asking what city I should use, and she said, “You’re a city girl right now.” So, city girl it is!
I wanted to reflect on my life in Toronto and start up with my furry friend, Moose. I've lived in Toronto for two years, but I've had a soft spot for the city since I was younger when my mom and I would play hookey to go shopping and see a musical or on school trips to the ROM my friends, and I still talk about today. I have always loved the vibrancy of the city: every block, person, style, and building is unique. It's an excellent place for someone who is neurodivergent and needs different things to focus on. I get distracted, often wandering off and exploring new markets, parks, cafes, and more.
My first year in the city was challenging, which I've reflected on in previous blogs, and now it feels like I’m living in a whole new city. This year, I took the necessary steps forward and made some tough decisions to find my niche, and I did. It took some time, but everything changed once I reached that point. I've met many great friends in my classes who share the same drive, and we're always learning and growing from each other. My friends like to say I'm a LinkedIn connoisseur. Everything clicked once I found my people, Moose, my safe space (my apartment), and my retail job, where I gained excellent customer service skills and made terrific friends. Reflecting on how living in Toronto has shaped my skills for the creative workplace, I realize how much my experiences at Disney and my academic transition have inspired me.
My Transition from Life Sciences to Creative Industries
My whole life, I always thought I would end up in math and sciences. I have no idea why because my entire family consists of educators and in-laws, so I’m not sure where the dream came from! I enjoyed math and sciences more when I liked sticking to a rigid lesson plan and not stepping outside the box. I liked that I had to listen and learn from someone else and then apply the work. Plus, there was never any public speaking in math class!
On the other hand, I also loved the arts growing up, but it wasn’t emphasized much in school. In high school, I had some work featured in art shows and got to expand on my creativity, but still in a very rigid way where I couldn’t do my own thing. I also loved the idea of helping others. It would have involved travelling if I had worked in the medical field. Travelling at a young age and volunteering in developing countries inspired me. So, when it came time to decide what I wanted to do in university, I chose the sciences, but I never felt confident with that answer. Reflecting, I know I could entirely stick through, but it wasn’t for me, and I wasn’t happy. Despite my determination, I stuck it out for the first year, and that was enough.
When I started university, it felt like everyone around me was having the time of their life, what college was supposed to be about. If you've struggled with mental illness, you know it’s hard to be around people who don’t understand it. I always put myself down when I heard stories of others and their successes and felt like I had nothing to bring to the table. But I also know real friends would never want to make me feel as insecure as I did last year. My turning point was my summer at Disney. If you remember, I was very fearful of starting my program and only applied because my mom told me about it and encouraged me to do so. I wouldn’t have made it without my best pal, Dug, my late rescue dog, who accompanied me on the journey. The feeling was surreal when I got to Florida; it was like a switch flipped in me, and I was home. I applied for my second program only a month into my first one! The people I met were like-minded and had even more drive than me. I surrounded myself with older individuals with more life experience than me. I met the big sisters I never had growing up and gained the self-love I needed. I was always giving love to others but was so burnt out because I was never receiving it back. Once I knew these friendships existed and there were people like me, returning to Toronto was easy for me to meet and know when it was time to let go. My determination to pursue my dreams was unwavering, and I hope my journey inspires you to do the same.
Reflecting on My Academic Experiences in Toronto
Comparing the courses I've taken this year to those from last year, I’ve been enlightened in many ways and have made inquiries about our society. I've taken various creative courses like graphic design, fashion, music, business, and marketing to help me further grow my skills in the creative industry. It amazes me to discover all the career options I never knew about in high school and that there is no limit to what you can do. I've learned much about cultural diversity in the industry, and working with the Walt Disney Company has shaped my perspective. Disney is a great place to work in terms of diversity. They run the best international programs within the states, such as Disney on the Yard for HBCU students and international programs where people from their respective countries come to represent themselves at the park, like me!
When I was at Disney, my coworkers asked so many questions about diversity within Toronto, making me realize how lucky I am to have grown up with such diversity around me. It shocked me to have only lived in the States for three months and to see the cultural differences. I’m excited to bring my open mind and willingness to learn about new cultures to Florida, where I can educate guests about why Canada is so great! All the courses I have taken this year are practical and skills I will need to know for my future. They have shown me the business side of creativity and how all aspects work together. Creativity extends beyond just the fine arts, and so many careers exist. I’ve also enjoyed being on LinkedIn and connecting with like-minded individuals. I’ve learned a lot from posts, followed new leaders, and found inspiration for my blog and future careers.
Taking a Pause and Returning to Disney
As I’m sure you’ve heard from me before, I am a cast member at Disney! Last year, I participated in the Cultural Exchange Program and will start my Cultural Representative Program in the fall. It’s a funny story because I originally applied to only go for the summer, forgetting I had also used for the year-long program, which is significantly more challenging to get into since we are only there for a year. There are only three work locations in Epcot, Canada. The Cultural Representative Program has been a program I’ve known about my whole life, dreaming of doing it but never thinking I’d get it. I assumed it would be more about knowing someone to get in. The second time around, I was dying to hear if I got into my second summer program with my friends when I checked the application portal to see if I was “no longer in consideration” for the Cultural Exchange Program. I was in complete shock. None of my friends in Florida could believe it. “You are the face of Disney,” they would say, haha. They are not wrong. I can keep this smile on my face 24/7. I have always been a Disney girl, and everyone knows it. So, if you know me, I’m not giving up if I want something. I knew Disney was where I wanted to work in the future, and I was getting back with the company somehow, some way.
It took me about three emails, reaching out to a few recruiters on LinkedIn, and finally getting the answer I sought. I am only allowed to interview for one program each year, and they had put me in the running for the year program instead, but I had the option. I immediately answered yes to the year! I didn’t even discuss it with my mom; I am only in my second year and will take a year off school. Luckily, she was on board, and I think she’s pretty pumped for a year of Disney visits. Last year, I worked in my dream location, Main Street, USA. You know, the pretty street with the castle at the end? Yeah, that one. I guess Walt was right when he said dreams do come true. I had the best three months of my life. It was challenging work, but what do you expect when working with the most well-known company worldwide? I had sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and tears, but those moments were worth everything to be on stage as a cast member, seeing the spark of magic in kids’ eyes or joking with the tired parents at the end of the day who just want their candy apple after the fireworks. Each guest experience was so unique to me. Or when other cast members would recognize your hard work and give you a cast compliment. I think that is the best thing about Disney: the support network of cast members and the shared experiences.
I am so excited to return for a year and work in a different park, Epcot, in the Canadian pavilion. I have no clue what to expect; it is a whole new adventure for me, but after taking risks already, I know the rewards are worth it, and I am ready for the skills I will gain to help further my career and inspire others with my journey.
Owning Your Personality
When people ask me what I want to do in the future, career-wise, I never have a clear answer. But I do know that I want to work with people. I cherish my ability to connect with others personally and maintain an open mind when meeting and working with them. My manager at work jokes that she can hear me from the back room when I'm welcoming guests, and to be quite honest, I come home with a new Instagram follower at least once a week. I love learning about others and what they have to offer. I'm so interested in how our lives diverge into moments where we meet. I know people have left lasting impacts on me in public, and I want to do the same.
I used to hang out with people who were “embarrassed” by my loud personality, and it was unbelievable that once I stopped spending time around them, I attracted people who cherished my personality. I told my friend last summer I had never been so happy and had so many genuine laughs; I felt like a child again. She told me it was maybe because I had to protect myself and be the adult in most situations, putting my guard up, and now I finally felt safe to do whatever I wanted. It's true! I've learned that my personality propels me forward.
Most connections I have made through LinkedIn are just conversations I've had in public, so I always emphasize dressing and feeling your best; you never know who you will run into. When I was at Disney a few years ago, I was in a pink workout set and noticed a lovely couple on a ride. Later that day, we ran into them again! The lady said she saw me and that I stood out to her. It turned out she was a significant PR professional in Toronto. I knew nothing about PR then, but it all fell into place when I spoke to her at Disney about the career path I happen to be in today.
During job interviews, I always make sure to stand out. For my first Disney interview, I wore pink pants, and this time, I went all out with a pink power suit. The recruiter and I chatted about “Legally Blonde” for about half the time, and at the end, he said, "Never change who you are." Every time someone tells me that, it drives me more. I knew I was born to be authentic and not follow the lines. Once I broke free from my box and had the freedom, I couldn't go back.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my year in Toronto and the experiences that have shaped me, I am grateful for the growth and opportunities that have come my way. Living in Toronto has not only broadened my cultural understanding but also honed my skills for the creative workplace. From exploring diverse courses in graphic design, fashion, and business to forging meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, each experience has prepared me for my career aspirations.
Looking forward, I eagerly anticipate my return to Disney for another chapter in my journey. Joining the Cultural Representative Program at Epcot's Canadian pavilion is a new adventure that promises to enrich my skills and perspective further. I am ready to embrace the challenges and rewards that lie ahead, confident in the lessons I've learned and the growth I've achieved.
To anyone on a similar path, I encourage you to embrace your unique journey, pursue your passions wholeheartedly, and never underestimate the power of authenticity. Every experience, whether challenging or joyful, contributes to your personal and professional growth. Keep learning, exploring, and striving for what makes you truly fulfilled.
As I embark on this next chapter, I am excited to continue sharing my journey and insights. Thank you for being a part of my story!
