I believe that social media can be a powerful force for good. Sure, some of us are definitely addicted to our social media-tethered devices, constantly checking for email and Facebook and Twitter notifications (guilty!). We bury our faces in them at social events, when what we really should be doing is making eye contact and engaging with those around us.
But, despite our vices, the magical part of social media is when a virtual connection can become a real one.
I’ve been wanting to share this story for a while now. It’s about how my husband Brian’s career began at Walt Disney World. And it all started with a tweet.
Back in February of 2012, I was job-searching myself, and my husband was looking for a change as well. He’s a chef, and I work in digital. We had been living in Orlando for just 6 months, but we had both landed into very demanding jobs with long hours and plenty of stress — me, at a local TV station managing its website, and he, at an upscale resort working the overnight shift. We barely saw each other. When we did, one of us was awake and the other asleep. We certainly couldn’t make plans often, making living in a fun place like central Florida very frustrating.
Fortunately, my job search was going well. I would land, within a month, a great job as a digital content manager at a magazine publisher. Brian, meanwhile, was finding a lot of barriers to entry to where he really wanted to work: Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World is the largest single-site employer in Florida, with more than 66,000 on its payroll. Getting an “in” at WDW Casting can be tough. Brian had previously been offered a part-time position with Disney in fall 2011, but turned it down because he needed full-time work. Unfortunately, when that happened, he then had to wait another 6 months to apply again to the same position, even though what he was offered was only part-time.
So, it was during his 6-month waiting period that I began to explore some other possible “ins” for Brian. And I happened upon a guy who was tweeting up a storm: @DisneyExecChef. I followed him as he chatted about menu planning, special events and cool happenings at WDW. And on Feb. 11, 2012, I got courageous, and tweeted this:
To my surprise, @DisneyExecChef, also known as Chef Robert Gilbert, answered. He first directed us to the Disney Careers website, but I then explained our situation some more. He then offered to meet my husband, in person, the following morning. I was floored!
When my husband got home from work the next morning, I shared the news. Let’s just say he was skeptical. He wasn’t sure that this guy could help him at all, or who he was. But, he went. The two of them met at Coronado Springs Resort, and Chef Robert explained the hierarchy of the chefs and cooks in the special events and catering operation of Walt Disney World. And Brian realized that Chef Robert was the real deal and one of only a handful of executive chefs at WDW.
The conversation between Brian, Chef Robert, and myself continued, and by June 2012, Brian was on board in catering operations at the Contemporary Resort. He’s working hard, and has had the opportunity to cook for conventions of thousands, for intimate chef’s tables, and for many other restaurants and special events all around Walt Disney World, including Party of the Senses during Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival, special events at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, breakfast at ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort, and even counter service work at Columbia Harbour House at the Magic Kingdom. It’s been a well-rounded experience for him, to say the least.
And for this, we have social media, and specifically the open nature of Twitter, to thank. Thank you, Twitter, and especially — thank you, Chef Robert, for all you have given us.
Digital Kristen 
What a great story! I love that you gathered your courage and asked him – and that he was so very helpful.
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Thanks, Tracie! It was a wonderful leap of faith. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s to never be afraid to ask for help in your quests.
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Such an awesome story!! I always try to explain the amazingness — not a word, but necessary — of social media to others who aren’t engulfed in it as we are, and it flies swiftly over their heads. True tales such as this prove exactly what I attempt to say, that there’s a connective power there, even if we don’t tangibly see it at all times. Thanks for sharing.
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I totally agree, I have a couple of friends that brush off social media, well mostly Twitter, because they see no point in using it, but it kills me that they don’t understand how useful it can be with just a bit of effort and learning. It definitely has its drawbacks, of course, which they like to make clear to me, but I just think they’re stubborn and don’t want to see both sides of the coin, which is why I will be sharing this story with them haha.
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That’s why I specifically mentioned the open nature of Twitter. Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. all have their place, but where else can you publicly ask a quick question of anyone? My tween self would have loved Twitter for reaching out to my favorite musicians and celebs — even if they never replied!
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what an awesome story!
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Indeed.
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Niiiiiceee! This helps me to keep believing in magic. Moreover coming from WDW.
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“Wishes, dream a dream……Wishes, trust your heart.” etc.etc.
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Hi Kristen what a great story and thank you for all of the kind words. But I am just a guy that’s part of a great team that believes good things happen to good people. Brian has had a huge impact on our team and were lucky to have him. Thank you again for everything, I truly do appreciate it.
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It means a lot that you feel that Brian and I are good people. We’re so grateful for the opportunities you have given us!
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I love this!! Know anyone in Holiday Services? That’s my husband’s dream job! Hard to find a contact. BTW, Chef Robert is awesome. He’s never too busy to reply to a tweet. Great guy!
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Holiday services — how fun! Unfortunately I don’t know of anyone there.
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This is the magic of it all. Chef Robert is an amazing guy and deserves all kinds of credit for going out of his way. Not everyone does. : )
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Sounds a lot like this guy whose books and blogs I read. (:
I think you and Chef Robert are cut from the same cloth, and I’m proud to know him and “know” you!
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Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing the story. I’ll be reposting your story on one or two LinkedIn groups…hoping it serves as motivation for others to use Twitter for their searches.
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You’re welcome! Would you mind replying back here with the LinkedIn groups you share this in? Thanks so much.
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I’ve been transition myself and there are two groups related to an outplacement counseling firm, Lee Hecht Harrison. One group is Lee Hecht Harrison U.S. Alumni Network (this is a national group) and the other is Get Linked: LHH Orlando (local to Orlando). I often share with them articles that can help motivate them.
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Love this story! Something very similar happened to me and got me to Disney as well…although I don’t work there. Amazing reaffirmation! Thanks for sharing.
http://www.goodenoughmother.com/2012/05/tandem-tantrums-from-wall-st-to-welfare-to-walt-disney/
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