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Yoela Zauderer
CST 300 Writing Lab
January 28, 2020

Software Engineering at Walt Disney Studios

"Television won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months.

People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night," Darryl Zanuck of 20th

Century Fox predicted in 1946 (Goble, 2012). Zanuck, however, was wrong. Today, the average

American household spends almost 8 hours a day watching TV (Madrigal, 2018). The

entertainment industry is booming with over $632 billion flowing to the economy from

entertainment companies in the U.S. (Vault, n.d.). A few prominent companies include The Walt

Disney Company, 21st Century Fox, Time Warner Inc., and NBC Universal. These companies

provide entertainment for people to relax, unwind, and disconnect from their busy, stressful

lives. Additionally, entertainment comprises a large part of American culture. But perhaps the

largest role of this industry is that it employs millions of people worldwide.

Although some might associate the entertainment industry with celebrities and stars, the

industry actually boasts a host of software engineer positions for business applications,

operations, as well as animation and special effects. These unique opportunities often spark

imagination, creativity, and vision, attracting talent from across the spectrum of the computer

science field. The Walt Disney Company is prominent within the entertainment industry as is

evident from its popularity and success. Upon the completion of my degree at California State

University of Monterey Bay, I am interested in obtaining a software engineer position at Disney

to capitalize on my newly acquired knowledge and skills.

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The Walt Disney Company has its main headquarters in Burbank, California, with offices

all over the world and employs 183,677 people globally (Corporate Social Responsibility

Update, 2018). Although an empire today, the company started with humble beginnings. The

Walt Disney Company was created on October 16, 1923. Originally called the Disney Brothers

Cartoon Studio, Walt and Roy Disney’s company was born when a New York distributor signed

a contract for its first cartoon, the Alice Comedies. Disney’s acclaim escalated with the

introduction of a new character, Mickey Mouse. It was with this beloved character, which was

featured in a complete series of cartoons, that Disney began bringing in revenue through

merchandising. The year 1934 gave the Disney Company an edge when Snow White and the

Seven Dwarfs emerged as an animated feature film. This paved the way for several other feature

films, like the classic Cinderella, and bolstered the business. But Disney was not content; in

1950, Walt released the first Disney TV show, as well as Treasure Island, the first live-action

movie. While Disney was gaining tremendous success in his career, he was constantly

expanding his imagination and dreaming of new, innovative ventures. Thus, his revolutionary

idea of a theme park came to fruition on July 17, 1955 (D23, 2019). This park, called

Disneyland, included automated rides and entertainment for the whole family and was coined,

“the happiest place on earth.”

Disney today has only grown beyond its creators’ imagined potential. Its media and film

component remains its largest source of revenue, comprised of $24,500 million yearly from

media networks and $9,987 million from studio entertainment (Fiscal Year 2018 Annual

Financial Report, 2018). Disney constantly releases new films, television shows, and cable

network channels; popular films include The Avengers, Star Wars, The Little Mermaid, The
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Lion King, and Frozen. Not resting on its laurels, Disney’s acquisitions throughout the years

have exponentially increased their profit margin with the introduction of Pixar in 2006, Marvel

in 2009, Lucasfilm in 2012 and, most recently in 2019, 21st Century Fox (Executive Leadership,

n.d.).

Moreover, Disney’s other divisions have grown proportionately as well. Disney has

opened theme parks all over the world in locations such as France, London, Shanghai, and

Tokyo, along with specialty hotels and cruises to create a full vacation experience. These theme

parks gross revenue of $20,296 million and are iconic to Disney among the entertainment

industry. In addition, merchandising is a sizable contributor to Disney’s bottom line to the

amount of $4,651 million yearly with hundreds of Disney stores worldwide, selling products like

t-shirts, coasters, keychains, and more, all bearing recognizable Disney characters (Fiscal Year

2018 Annual Financial Report, 2018). These create a symbiotic relationship in which

merchandise characters encourage visits to the parks, where the many gift shops that line the

paths further bolster merchandise purchases.

Financially, Disney is on an upward trend, according to the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual

Financial Report (2018), with a 4% rise in profit from the previous year. With a stock price of

$144.33, Disney continues to climb and is in the top 43% on the stock exchange (Zacks, n.d.).

With a total revenue of $59,434 million in 2018, Disney is positioned to continue in its growth

cycle (Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Financial Report, 2018).

Today, the company is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger. With

an educational background at Ithaca College and work experience at ABC, Iger started at Disney

in 1996. In 2018, Forbes Magazine attributed the title of one of the “World’s Most Powerful
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People” to Iger, which rings true as he heads one of the biggest media companies in the world.

Alan Bergman and Alan F. Horn serve as Walt Disney Studio’s Co-Chairmen. Manufacturing,

marketing, and dispensation of all its media entertainment assets, along with the daily operations

of business and legal matters, are the primary functions of Bergman and Horn. Joining the

company in 1996 with a UCLA bachelor’s degree in business economics, Alan Bergman started

out as a director and rose through the ranks to his current position through recognition of his key

roles in expanding the studio and merging its acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Fox.

His Co-Chairman, Alan Horn, joined Disney in 2012. After receiving an MBA from Harvard

Business School, Horn worked for Century Fox Film Corporation, was one of the co-founders of

Castle Rock Entertainment, and gained much acclaim from his 12-year stint at Warner Bros.

Other officers of the company include Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and

Products and Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Direct-To-Consumer and International (Executive

Leadership, n.d.).

Forbes Magazine crowned Disney one of the “Best Employers” in America in 2019 and

in the world in 2018 (Executive Leadership, n.d.). Joshua Zauderer, (personal communication,

January 14, 2020) former Disney employee, shares, “As an employer, Disney offers competitive

salaries and provides good medical, dental, and vision benefits. Perks of the job are even more

enticing as employees and their families are entitled to free park tickets, and opportunities to

attend exclusive viewings of new movies.” Although the work environment is demanding,

Zauderer explains, “The positive feelings generated amongst its employees is palpable.”

Disney’s reputation is not only founded on its treatment of employees but also stems

from its excellent customer relations. Carmine Gallo (2011) of Forbes Magazine points out three
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ways in which Disney excels in this area. Park employees are trained in communications and, in

turn, can answer questions and give up to the minute information about any attraction or

showtime throughout the park. The employees approach visitors with “assertive friendliness,”

offering information and directions as needed. Lastly, the impeccable cleanliness of the parks is a

quality to be envied, especially with the huge influx of people who come to Disney parks on a

daily basis. From the employees’ and customers’ perspectives, Disney stands out as the head of

its class.

With advances in the technological world and the public’s ever-changing needs and

wants, Disney makes sure to up its game and be relevant and fresh. As the entertainment industry

is a growing field, Disney parallels the industry trends, such as the recent establishment of

Disney+, a streaming service, in November 2019. Video streaming is quickly replacing

traditional TV programming and Disney+ offers a family-friendly service for viewers. Disney

also incorporates virtual reality into its theme park rides with 3D immersive experiences. With

massive screens and virtual technology, riders feel as if they are part of the action. Special effects

like real scents and well-timed blasts of air further immerse the user in the experience (Sylt,

2019). Virtual reality technology supports Walt Disney’s dream of creating a magical place

where anything can happen.

DisneyCareers website proclaims: “The Walt Disney Company entertains, informs and

inspires people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the

iconic brands, creative minds, and innovative technologies families have come to love for over

90 years.” ​(DisneyCareers, n.d.).​ ​The diversity of Disney’s portfolio requires the hiring of

employees with both a strong technical background and an eye towards team collaboration.
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Jayne Parker, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, outlines the

new structure of Disney’s Human Resource department under her leadership. With a dual focus

both company-wide and concentrated on individual segments, team collaboration is critical to

support business objectives across the company (Executive Leadership, n.d.).

The Walt Disney Company is an attractive entertainment empire that offers many

software engineer positions in a range of functions and disciplines. One particular position that I

am interested in is software engineering in the Imagineering division of Disney. This department

oversees the creation and design of Disney parks and attractions by tapping into the creative

genius of its developers. I would like to be part of a team that implements virtual reality scenes

as part of the theme park ride experience.

While there are many shortcuts to obtaining programming skills, such as condensed

courses or independent learning platforms, my path towards a career starts with a comprehensive

and in-depth degree program, as a way to distinguish myself among the masses. California State

University of Monterey Bay’s computer science program, Cohort 11, extends from Spring 2020

through Fall 2021. Students learn the fundamentals from experienced professors, build and

practice essential skills, and prepare for a career in a diverse and dynamic work environment.

Key courses within the academic schedule are Software Design in Spring 2020, followed by

Software Engineering in Fall 2021. In conjunction with the balance of the curriculum, these

classes will not only solidify my technical skills, but also encourage collaboration among

students with multiple group projects. Another vital course that will aid in my professional role is

an elective in Graphics Programming, which focuses on graphics elements that include shading

and lighting, as well as 3D effects. Additionally, the program culminates with CST 499, a
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Directed Group Capstone in Fall 2021, a real-world problem, in which students take initiative

and gain authentic experience, while adding a full life cycle project to an already burgeoning

portfolio of work.

Knowledge alone is not enough. Hiring companies are looking for experience. The

age-old question is how one obtains experience when starting out as a novice in the field. The

solution to this conundrum is securing an internship in a company similar to those where the

employee will one day seek out employment. My goal is to obtain an internship at Disney or a

similar, like-minded company in the entertainment industry, where I can dive headfirst into the

field. As my busy work schedule precludes me from interning during the school year, I will

utilize my summer vacation to do so. The flexibility of CSUMB will allow me to continue with

my studies while immersed in the demands of an internship. As I approach a future job

interview, I will come equipped not only with a portfolio of projects but also with the practical

and concrete steps taken to tackle an assignment and the troubleshooting experience gained from

months of coding. This will make a favorable impression on an interviewer who is looking for an

employee who has functioned as a software engineer in a company of note.

Perhaps most important of all is the aspect of social networking that has already begun

with my colleagues at CSUMB and will continue via my newly created LinkedIn account. I am

constantly on the lookout for people in the field who can offer advice, resources and a door to

opportunities. Making connections to those who are successful in the field will serve me well

when I am ready to move forward with my career.

Every industry has its idiosyncrasies. Every industry has its own unique culture. Every

industry has its players that make their mark upon the world. The goal is to study the industry,
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understand its specific traits and use that knowledge as a stepping stone to jumpstart a career on

an upward trajectory towards success. The Disney Company was founded upon one man’s

dreams and perseverance. Over time, the company maintained its focus on enriching the lives of

people worldwide with entertainment, thereby providing countless jobs for software engineers

who can contribute their part to create, and inspire the world.
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References

Disney Careers. (n.d.). The Walt Disney Company: Be part of the story. Retrieved from

https://jobs.disneycareers.com/

D23. (n.d.). ​Disney History​. Retrieved from https://d23.com/disney-history/

Gallo, C. (2011, April 14). Customer service the Disney way. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2011/04/14/customer-service-the-disney-way/

#1538c4778f84

Goble, G. (2012, November 4). Top 10 bad tech predictions. Retrieved from

https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/top-10-bad-tech-predictions/

Madrigal, A. C. (2018, May 30). When did TV watching peak? Retrieved from

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/when-did-tv-watching-peak/561

464/

Sylt, C. (2019, March 19). How Disney is using VR to help guests feel the force of Star Wars.

Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2019/03/19/how-disney-is-using-vr-to-help-guests-fee

l-the-force-of-star-wars/#5297bd381178

The Walt Disney Company. (2018).​ Corporate social responsibility update.​ Retrieved from

https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2018-CSR-Report.

pdf

The Walt Disney Company. (n.d.). ​Executive leadership​. Retrieved from

https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/about/#leadership
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The Walt Disney Company. (2018).​ Fiscal year 2018 annual financial report.​ Retrieved from

https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-Annual-Rep

ort.pdf

Vault. (n.d.). ​Media and entertainment​. Retrieved from

https://www.vault.com/industries-professions/industries/media-and-entertainment

Zacks. (n.d.). ​The Walt Disney Company​. Retrieved from

https://www.zacks.com/stock/research/DIS/industry-comparison