My Personal Development Plan
Assignments
My Smart Goal
Gain Formal HR Experience
Specific: Secure an internship or entry-level HR position within the next 6 months.
Measurable: Apply to at least 10 HR internships or entry-level roles per month and track responses.
Achievable: Leverage networking opportunities from the Disney College Program and reach out to HR professionals for advice and guidance.
Relevant: This aligns with my goal of gaining hands-on experience and furthering my career in HR.
Time-bound: Secure an internship or role within 6 months and begin gaining practical experience in HR.
This goal is crucial because it will provide me with hands-on experience in HR, which is essential for building my professional foundation and advancing in my career. By securing an internship or entry-level role, I will gain practical insights into HR fun. This aligns with my goal of gaining hands-on experience, advancing my skills, and improving my ability to contribute meaningfully to the organization. This experience will also enhance my qualifications and open up future opportunities within the HR field.
The benefits of achieving this goal will be gaining practical, hands-on experience in HR, which will strengthen my understanding of core HR functions and make me more competitive in the job market. It will also provide networking opportunities, build my professional reputation, and increase my confidence in navigating real-world HR scenarios. This experience will serve as a stepping stone toward more advanced HR roles, aligning with my long-term career goals.
Potential Obstacles:
Limited availability of internships or entry-level roles in HR.
Competition from other candidates with more experience.
Difficulty in securing a position due to a lack of formal HR experience.
Potential Solutions:
Network through industry events, LinkedIn, or alumni connections to uncover hidden opportunities.
Tailor my resume and cover letter to highlight transferable skills (communication, leadership, and finance) and demonstrate how they apply to HR roles.
Seek out volunteer or part-time roles in HR to build experience and make myself a more attractive candidate.
Apply for HR-related positions outside traditional companies, such as nonprofits or startups, where I can gain broader experience.
Specific Action Steps:
Update Resume and Cover Letter – Tailor my resume and cover letter to highlight my transferable skills (communication, leadership, finance) for HR roles.
Expected Completion Date: 1 week from nowApply to HR Internships and Entry-Level Positions – Apply to at least 10 HR-related positions each month, focusing on Disney and other companies with HR opportunities.
Expected Completion Date: Ongoing monthlyNetwork with HR Professionals – Reach out to alumni, LinkedIn connections, and industry groups to expand my network and discover job opportunities.
Expected Completion Date: Start immediately, ongoing throughout the yearGain Volunteer HR Experience – Look for volunteer opportunities, such as assisting with HR functions in small businesses or non-profits, to build my experience.
Expected Completion Date: 2 months
Mock interview
Mock interview for a position at Disney, all questions have real answers, with real scenarios I succeeded in.
Mentorship benifits
Why having a mentor is beneficial
Having a mentor is particularly beneficial for women in business because mentorship fosters personal connections that can lead to opportunities, promotions, and career growth. As women, we accomplish amazing things when we support each other, and mentoring is a key driver of success. Research indicates that women with sponsors are more likely to request stretch assignments and pay raises, which are essential for career advancement. Unfortunately, women often miss out on mentorship opportunities, as men tend to gravitate toward sponsoring other men, and women may hesitate to mentor due to concerns about appropriateness.
Mentorship enables women to establish professional networks and access valuable advice, which can be crucial in navigating career challenges. Senior-level women investing in those just starting out is a great way to pay it forward and help others rise to leadership roles. Furthermore, peer mentorship can be equally effective. Women in similar stages of their careers can offer unique perspectives and support, particularly as they face the same challenges. By mentoring others, we create a network of support that accelerates progress toward gender equality in the workplace.
Executive Profile
We were asked to create an executive profile of someone we saw as a mentor. Someone active in business today whom we looked up to and who inspired us. During my research, I resonated with Dana Walden due to our similarities, upbringing, and career goals.
Leadership, Habits, and Career Insights
Dana Walden’s leadership approach is rooted in a combination of strategic vision, empathy, and resilience. She is known for her ability to make bold decisions while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusivity and empowering her teams. Walden emphasizes collaboration and talent development, which reflects her own experiences of being mentored throughout her career. Her leadership style is adaptable, and she has frequently pivoted to seize new opportunities while staying true to the broader mission of her organization.
A valuable lesson Walden imparts is the importance of embracing failure as part of the journey. She says, “What differentiates leaders is the ability to recover following a mistake. I make mistakes all the time, but I cop to them, apologize, and move on. Contrition is powerful.” This mindset exemplifies her approach to both business and life, viewing failure not as an end but as a stepping stone toward success.
Walden also places great value on mentorship, crediting much of her success to the mentors who guided her. She prioritizes mentoring others, especially women and underrepresented groups, to help them achieve the same opportunities for success that she had. This has shaped her leadership and is something I aim to emulate in my own career.
From Dana Walden, I have learned the importance of staying steadfast and adaptable, embracing ongoing development, and recognizing the power of mentorship. These qualities will guide me as I pursue my own career path, particularly within Disney, where I hope to create positive change while fostering innovation and employee well-being.
In conclusion, Dana Walden’s success story is inspiring, not only because of her professional achievements but also because of the personal values she upholds. As a Jewish woman in business, she serves as a role model for overcoming challenges and promoting inclusivity. Walden’s resilience, leadership, and dedication to mentorship provide valuable lessons that will continue to shape my approach as I strive for success in my career.
Dana Walden's Path to Success
Dana Walden is a prominent leader in the entertainment industry, particularly within The Walt Disney Company, where she serves as the Chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content. In this role, she oversees a range of Disney’s television networks, including ABC, FX, and National Geographic. Walden’s career has been shaped by her resilience, strategic thinking, and ability to adapt in an ever-evolving media landscape.
Born into a Jewish family, much like myself, Walden’s background played a significant role in her career trajectory. She attended Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and began her career in the 1980s at 20th Century Fox. Overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry, Walden advanced quickly, taking on leadership roles and eventually leading Fox’s television production division. Her commitment to advocating for equal rights, diversity, and inclusion has been a driving force throughout her career. She has faced unique challenges related to gender and cultural identity, but has used these experiences to shape her leadership style.
Walden's personal history, including her connection to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, where her family, like mine, has a relative who survived, further strengthens her dedication to advocating for workers’ rights and workplace safety. Her journey resonates with me, as both of us are passionate about supporting fairness, equal opportunities, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, values I also strive to champion in my career. Walden's role at Disney aligns with my aspirations to work there and advance to an executive position, where I can continue to advocate for these important causes.
