A college summer job in a Disney gift shop prepared me for content writing, editing, and coaching in ways I didn’t expect—and here’s what I’d share with younger dreamers too.
In the summer after my first year of college, I took a job at Disney’s EPCOT Center near Orlando, Florida. I was a gift shop hostess—the shop where I worked was right next to Spaceship Earth, the EPCOT entryway landmark. With Disney’s focus on guest experience in their theme parks, we as employees were called cast members. Our role was to create a wonderful experience for our guests.
I loved interacting with our visitors from all over the world. I enjoyed getting to know the other cast members too. They were awesome to work with, and many of them came from other countries. I loved everything international, so it was the perfect working environment for me.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how one summer job would shape my future career.
How EPCOT Prepared Me for Writing and Editing
It’s interesting to see how many ways that summer job shaped my current career:
- The EPCOT job gave me an audience-first mindset. That summer, my focus was on guest experience. Today, my focus is on reader experience.
- I practiced listening and empathizing, helping a tired or lost guest. Today, I listen to and guide the writers I work with as editor and coach.
- Attention to detail was important: counting back change, stocking shelves, giving directions. Today, I apply that detailed attention to every sentence I edit.
- I embraced collaboration and diversity, working with tourists and teammates from around the world. Today, I work alongside my clients to help their unique voices shine.
- I developed an appreciation of hospitality—anticipating needs and serving with kindness. Today, I anticipate the needs of my clients and their readers and give kind encouragement along the way.
Those summer lessons at EPCOT continue to guide my work every day.
The Joy of Welcoming and Encouraging
Working at EPCOT, I discovered how much I enjoyed welcoming and encouraging people. Today, I enjoy encouraging writers and readers. I love welcoming and guiding writers on their writing adventure. And I love welcoming readers by the words on the page that invite them into a new reading adventure.
At EPCOT, we helped each guest feel very important. We showed them how much they mattered by the ways we prepared for and interacted with them. Today, I help writers see much how their voice and story matter.
Apart from my professional work, today I also volunteer at our local theater’s concession stand because it gives me the same joy I found in that Disney job—welcoming people, helping them feel seen, and inviting them to enjoy an experience they’ve been looking forward to. It’s also fun to see how those retail skills come back each time I step up to the concession counter.
Every Job Matters
If you are a younger reader just starting out on your first summer or after-school job, be encouraged that every job matters. You learn how to show up, care for others, and discover what you most enjoy doing—and what you don’t like doing. Those are all important discoveries that will help shape your professional future.
Embrace the early jobs that come along, even if they seem miles away from where you want to be some day. Make the most of each opportunity as you learn who you are and what you love doing. Every step counts.
Janet Eriksson 