Magdeline Mullens of Uniontown, OH works at Disney World for the semester

2017 Jun 5

"Working for the mouse" is truly a dream come true for junior communication major Magdeline Mullens from North Canton, Ohio.

Mullens is spending the semester working at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., as part of Disney's College Program. A long-time fan of Disney, she first heard about the program from her godmother, who participated in the 1990s, and Mullens decided she would like to participate, too.

From working at the show Fantismic! and operating the Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studios to taking classes in marketing and leadership, Mullens is experiencing the "Disney magic" up close and personal.

"Seeing the faces of little girls light up when I call them princess and the excitement of children when I tell them that Mickey Mouse expected them today, while handing them a sticker, is one of my favorite parts of the job," she said. "Disney magic is real. I've seen it firsthand, from being a guest when I was little to now - a young adult and working here. Disney magic means a lot to me, and being able to experience it, live in it, and create it for guests is incredible."

According to Mullens, Wittenberg empowered her to pursue the Disney College Program by giving her the confidence to go after her dreams and see herself as successful. She attributes this confidence to the support of her advisor, professors and peers.

Mullens now hopes to make "working for the mouse" her full-time career and sees this semester as a stepping-stone to this goal. She plans to use the experience to learn as much as she can about the company and to network with others who want to spend their lives bringing Disney dreams to life.

"Creating magic for guests and being a part of the stories that Disney tells and creates in its shows, attractions and theme parks excites me," Mullens said. "It's such a wonderful and happy place, and it means a lot to me to give back to the company that gave me so much."