Tori McCook graduated from Anderson University in 2009, majoring in communication broadcast production and minoring in music business recording arts. After graduating, McCook moved back to her home state, Illinois, and worked four part-time jobs, three of which were in audio. These jobs in audio included working at a church, doing audio for summer concerts at her park district and mixing for a band.
Even though McCook was getting by working four part-time jobs, she applied for an audio job in early 2011 at Disney, which had always been a dream job of hers. Later that year, McCook was interviewed a few times before being offered the job. In just a few weeks, McCook moved to Florida and started working at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She continues to work at Disney as an entertainment stage technician at Walt Disney World.
While McCook works in audio, she has found that learning to partner with multiple departments is important. “We’re all in it together because audio partners with lighting, that partners with video, that partners with special effects, that partners with maintenance,” McCook said when discussing the importance of partnering. “We all have to work together as a cohesive unit to give the best show possible for the guests,” she added
McCook’s favorite part of her career comes at the end of a show when someone comes to the control booth she works in and tells her they want to work there in the future. “Every time someone approaches me and says, ‘I want to do what you do, how do I get there?’ It’s rewarding and humbling to take time and open that door for them and give them suggestions, ideas and to help them get closer to their dreams.”
Working in her dream job, McCook’s favorite part is being able to inspire others to pursue their dream jobs, which she said can allow them to do the same thing to other people.
Michael Morehouse is a senior from Mishawaka, Indiana, majoring in public relations and minoring in writing. Michael is a senior associate with Fifth Street Communications®, a student-run public relations agency at Anderson University.