A Summer of Magic at the Walt Disney Headquarters

Los Angeles native Kylie Snell ’26 had to travel only a few miles north from home for her summer internship at the Walt Disney Corporation. The psychology and economics double major was able to peek behind the curtain and see a small slice of how the corporation operates. 

“Unsurprisingly, the ‘Disney magic’ also establishes itself in the workplace,” says Snell. 

Working Across Sectors  

Snell joined a team of market research interns at the Disney Studio Lot in Burbank, California, for three months. The interns rotated among the five research teams every two weeks, making for a fast-paced and challenging environment. These areas included Corporate, Digital, In-Home, Disney+ Brand, and two Theatrical Research groups. 

In these quickly changing settings, Snell was welcomed into teams focusing on a variety of market research components such as purchasing behavior and online sentiment about Disney’s core brand (Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, etc.) and titles (such as Freakier Friday and The Fantastic Four), as well as following multiple movies through their lifecycle from idea to opening night. 

The summer culminated in a capstone project that involved learning how each of these teams operates, uses resources, and focuses their work. With so many complex pieces and a whirlwind timeframe, the task seemed daunting, but Snell says she always felt supported and welcomed.

“Even in the short timeframe, they all made sure I understood what was going on and how it applied to my work,” says Snell. “Everyone was extremely kind, and they were an amazing resource for me. I felt like I truly had the biggest group of supporters backing me up.” 

Outside of her busy daytime schedule, Snell was able to join an intramural volleyball team with her coworkers, cementing friendships with her peers and nurturing her love of the sport as a middle hitter for the Pioneers. “Many even joined without any experience, and it was one of the best parts of my summer! The pure joy from everyone as they learned and improved was contagious,” says Snell. 

Preparing for the Future 

After her first three years at Grinnell, Snell felt prepared for her internship. She says that the individually advised curriculum gave her a leg up and allowed her to focus on what she was truly interested in. 

“I did a Mentored Advanced Project with Professor Lopatto on superheroes and the inherent gender bias in interpretations of female characters,” Snell says. “I also did my time series econometrics project on box office success. In both interviews for the internship, and while I’m searching for jobs in the entertainment industry, they are looking for people who are deeply interested in film and television. So, being able to explain how I introduced my interests into academics in a specific way provided the ‘proof’ to people that this isn’t just a pastime for me.” 

After graduation this May, Snell hopes to take her experience at Disney into the workforce and continue to grow, focusing on consulting roles in strategy and research. “I am hopeful that next year will be full of exploring new industries as well as new places.” 

When asked, Snell shared that her favorite Disney character is Doctor Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb.