From Chapman to Disney: Alumni Avery Grant’s Post-Grad Story on This Week’s CCI Internship Diaries

Photo courtesy of Avery Grant. This is Avery at the Team Disney building in Glendale, where she spends most of her week working in-office. When she’s not at the studio, you can usually find her at the park or participating in hands-on Disney activities.

Happy Internship Diaries Thursday! Today we’re switching things up with a very special guest: Avery Sofia Grant ‘25. Unlike our usual spotlights on current students, Avery has already graduated from Chapman, and she’s here to share what it’s like navigating post-grad life while carrying the lessons of CCI with her.

But first, a quick refresher: Internship Diaries is all about highlighting CCI students (and alumni!) who’ve taken on internships and showing how those experiences shaped their careers, creativity, and confidence. And Avery’s story? A perfect example.

Raised in the Bay Area, Chapman had always been Avery’s dream school. She first visited campus for a dance intensive in middle school and instantly knew it was the one. In her words, Chapman was her Goldilocks school: not too big, not too small, not too urban, not too remote. Just perfect. Once accepted as a communication studies major, Avery hit the ground running. She graduated in just three years (yes, three!), all while making her Chapman experience as full as possible. From sorority life to countless clubs to being an orientation leader, Avery checked off nearly every goal she set for herself.

For her, Chapman was about building a personalized journey. “Between clubs, classes, minors, and even clusters, there’s so much opportunity. I definitely didn’t take that for granted, and the fact that I managed to do it all in three years still blows my mind. I’m proud of myself, and I have no regrets.” When it came to academics, Avery knew she wanted to be part of CCI. “I would’ve majored in CCI if it had been an option.” The minor gave her exactly what she hoped for: broad exposure to creative and cultural industries paired with the freedom to dive deeper into her interests. From mastering podcast production to writing an original song in a music course (something she never thought she’d do!), Avery used CCI to stretch herself creatively and discover new passions.

And that foundation set her up for everything that came next. So with that in mind, let’s dive into Avery’s internship adventures, from Warner Bros. to Disney, and how she’s carving out her place in the entertainment industry post-grad.

Photo courtesy of Avery Grant. This is Avery’s official Disney name tag! Working for Disney has always been her dream, and now that she’s here, she hasn’t looked back. She’s excited to continue building her career with the company for the foreseeable future.

Q: Welcome, Avery! First off, thank you for being here. Tell me, how has post-grad life been? How’s the work-life balance now that you’re on a 40-hour work week?AG: Honestly, it’s been really good and kind of surprising. In a lot of ways, Chapman actually felt busier. Back then I was juggling classes, clubs, and a million different commitments, so shifting to a 40-hour work week almost feels like a break. Now I can shut my laptop at five and actually be done. No late-night homework or ten club meetings waiting for me. I currently support two teams, so the workload is definitely a lot, but I don’t mind. It’s refreshing to pour my energy into one thing, and I’ve been able to find a much better balance. Plus, not having homework or exams? Amazing. Post-grad has given me the space to focus on building a life in LA, exploring the city, and meeting new people. It really feels like all the hard work paid off to get me here.

Q: That’s beautiful. Now, tell me about your internship, how did you land it, what do you do day-to-day, and what’s the process been like?

AG: Officially, I’m a Global PR Intern for Disney Experiences, where I support two teams: Influencer Communications and Global Public Relations. I’m based in Glendale alongside a lot of other Disney Experiences employees. For context, Disney Experiences is everything outside the studio films; think Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Consumer Products, Disney Vacation Club, and Disney Signature Experiences. Basically, all the fun ways people experience the magic beyond the movies.

Working for Disney has always been a dream of mine, but it definitely didn’t happen overnight. I applied for internships across three different cycles before finally landing this one. The process started with a remote, asynchronous interview, followed by three live interviews with team members from both sides. Funny enough, this was actually the very last Disney internship I applied for, so I was crossing my fingers hard. Luckily, it worked out! I started in June, and beginning this January, I’ll be taking on an associate position on the Global PR team. I couldn’t be more excited!!

Photo courtesy of Avery Grant. This is Avery at the White Lotus Season 3 premiere while interning in Talent Relations and Events at Warner Bros. during her final spring semester. As part of her internship, she had the chance to attend exclusive events like this one!

Q: Wow! Congratulations! Now, Disney is such a huge player in the creative and cultural industries. How do you see your CCI coursework connecting with your work now?

AG: Honestly, my CCI classes were some of the most hands-on experiences I had at Chapman. In my podcasting class (CCI 304 Creative and Cultural Industries in Practice), for example, I had to learn editing software and the publishing process, which are all tangible skills. In my music class, I even wrote a song, which I never thought I’d do! Those classes pushed me creatively and helped me build confidence with new tools. In the workplace, you’re constantly asked to learn new software or adapt to different processes, so those experiences were really valuable. Plus, my Cultural Organization Management class helped me understand how corporate structures actually work, something that’s not common sense and has been really useful here.

Q: What makes CCI stand out, and what’s been the biggest challenge in your internships?

AG: CCI was so career-focused. Compared to other minors, it gave me tangible skills and industry exposure that directly supported my goals. I’m very career-driven, so having a program that pushed me forward was huge. The toughest part has been imposter syndrome, especially at my first big internship with Warner Bros. Even though I know I was hired for a reason, the self-doubt lingered. At big companies, it’s easy to feel lost, but I’ve learned the best way to make it smaller is by building relationships. Coffee chats and meet-and-greets have made all the difference.

Q: Now for our last question! What advice would you give to current CCI students or graduating seniors?

AG: Network, network, network. You never know which connection will help you down the road because industries overlap more than you realize. Hollywood is small. Even though I didn’t land roles directly through networking, it’s been so valuable to have people put my resume in front of the right eyes or vouch for me. Go to Chapman events, OC events, or anything that gives you a chance to meet people. Connections really matter. And if you’re thinking about the CCI minor, do it! It’s broad enough to expose you to so many creative and cultural industries but still lets you dive deep into what excites you most.

Photo courtesy of Avery Grant. This is Avery celebrating 626 Day at the office with Stitch! June 26 is a fan-favorite holiday honoring the beloved Disney character from Lilo & Stitch. Thanks to her Disney internship, she gets to be part of these fun celebrations (and in case you’re wondering her favorite Disney movie is Frozen ❄️).

That about wraps it up for today, folks! It was such a pleasure talking with Avery; her story is proof that when you push yourself, the hard work really does pay off, and you can start living your dream right out of college. A huge thank you to Avery for her wisdom, advice, and openness in sharing her journey. Her experience shows just how many doors CCI can open, often in ways you might not even expect. Do you (or someone you know) have an internship story worth sharing? We’d love to feature it please reach out to us at erosas@chapman.edu