I have not had the opportunity to network. Every Time there is a networking sessions going on in any of the complexes I am not able to attend because I am always working. I do not have a steady schedule at work it always fluctuates every day and its never reliable. I wish I had the opportunity to go to the networking sessions and be able to network and get to know more people. The most networking I do is with my co-workers , trainers and some of the guests at the park. For example the other day I was talking to one of my co-workers that she is originally from France and I mentioned to her the internship that I want to do in France. She got super excited and told me that when I go to France to let her know and she will meet up with me and take me to one of her uncles restaurants so I can see how the culinary world works on that side of the world.
Some of the guests that I interact with at work also tell me about these ideas and stuff that happens around the world regarding to the culinary world , also they tell me about the experiences of foods and different techniques they use. One of the best networking experiences I had was one day while I was working at Tamu in africa prepping the food , the head chef of tuskey house walked in to see how the preparation of the food was going .I got really nervous when he walked in and was watching over me to see what I was doing , I finally spoke up and started a conversation with him. He asked me what was my major and what I wanted to do , I told him I was intrested in culinary arts and that I want to become a chef , he looked at me and smirk and told me to never give up on my dreams to always try my hardest to achieve them because no matter what it will be a hard road. I wish I really did have more time to network! I hope I do have the time to find it.
Trailing a manager in ODF is really hard . Daily in ODF we have at least 5 managers or so, Each manager is assigned to a different section of the park . The only time we do have time to see a manager or even talk to one is when 1. you have voids 2. when they are inside of tamu during the lunch rush hour and they are interacting with you regarding to the process of making the roast beef sandwiches or setting up the other foods. Trailing a manger is not easy but I did have a conversation with one of my managers once and I asked them about how they liked being a manager and how they got there. She told me that she had started off as one of us because she was part of us ” the college program ” when she was in college and she knew all the aspects that we are going through. I have noticed that almost all the managers in ODF do help us out as much as they can and are understandable with us .
To enter a management position in WDW, you definitly do need to start from the bottom and then work your self up , not only that but you have to go through all types of training’s and workshops . In other words you have to been there , done that and know it all. It gives us hope that we are capable of doing it one day. If we put our minds to it we can do it
Networking comes in many different forms and you have the right idea when describe what you are doing to build your network. Some of what you are mentioning, however, is very casual. Try to create some formal connections so that you have lasting contacts that will bring you benefit as you grow personally and professionally.