Christine Kuester '12
Christine Kuester
Department: Business, Accounting, & Economics
Class: 2012
Internships are a vital part of a student's Otterbein experience, allowing them to engage and learn outside of the classroom. Christine has landed her first internship, and the experience couldn't be more magical. Currently, she is a merchandise intern at Walt Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park in Orlando, Florida, where she is gaining practical experience to enhance her Business Administration education.
Christine said she works in 11 different stores, including a sweet shop, a toy store, clothing stores and art stores, located on Sunset Boulevard, Animation Courtyard and Pixar Place within the park. In most stores, she works the register and stocks merchandise, she said. In the store called Sweet Spells, Christine also helps make some of the sweet treats for guests.
"(This internship) has certainly allowed me to view the world from a different perspective," Christine said. "I have met people from all over the world and have been exposed to many different cultures. This experience has already made me a more well-rounded person."
As a Disney College Program intern, Christine said she is already enjoying some of the Disney perks.
"They have nice activities and events for cast members, and my roommates and I try to take advantage of them all," she said. "I love being able to go to the parks whenever I have time, and my favorite experience was going to the cast members' exclusive preview of Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade."
While she is maintaining a healthy work-play balance, Christine recognizes the importance of internships as part of her Otterbein education.
"Internships are important because they give you real world experience that you cannot get in a classroom," she said.
Christine said having an internship away from Otterbein's campus has provided an additional learning opportunity.
"If you have an internship away from Otterbein, I think it helps you to become more responsible and self-reliant. It is a good idea because it will prepare you for life after graduation," she said.
Christine plans to apply for a Disney Professional Internship after graduation, some of which are exclusively available to Disney College Program Alumni.
"In (the Disney Professional Internship Program) you are working with managers and upper-level employees," she said. "The point is to prepare you for a management position in Disney or in another company."