For Walt Disney World Resort cast member Patrickson Lume, being an engineer has always been a dream—and Disney Aspire has helped him place this #DreamWithinReach.
Patrickson first joined Disney in 2013 as an attractions host at EPCOT, working at Mission: SPACE. Since then, Patrickson has always wanted to be one of the engineers helping to build and maintain the park’s beloved attractions. So, when Disney Aspire became available to all cast members, Patrickson saw it as an opportunity to focus more on his career path and complete a degree, all while gaining the necessary skills to pursue his dreams.
“The experiences I received through Disney Aspire have helped my personal development and professional growth tremendously. It’s positively impacted my current role by expanding my skills and thinking ahead, and has prepared and allowed me to handle more responsibilities.”
Patrickson graduated from Valencia College in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering. He had the opportunity to do a Professional Internship with the modeling, simulation and training tools team, which had a major impact on his early career and enabled him to further develop and learn new skills while exploring the industry. Ultimately, these experiences opened the door for Patrickson to advance within the company as a full-time Associate Electrical Engineer as part of the Facility Operations & Services (FOS) Early Career Rotational program.
“I am currently working with very talented professional engineers, and I have been able to learn how this industry works and gain some valuable skills that will help my career.”
As a member of the Early Career Rotational program, Patrickson gets to continue learning by exploring different departments within FOS. His current role is Sustaining Engineering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where he’s focused on attraction reliability.
One of Patrickson’s favorite quotes from Disney and Pixar’s “Brave” is “our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it.” His journey is proof that once you put your mind to achieving your dreams, anything is possible. His advice for others looking to pursue a degree through Disney Aspire? Just go for it.
“Believe in yourself and know why you want to accomplish it. This is a great way to start your career goals since Disney Aspire opens the door to better careers and is a great way to make your dream a reality; just remember that success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time.”
What are you waiting for? Disney Aspire might be the support you need to give you the courage to be brave enough to chase your dreams. Learn more today!
Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering 125+ programs at a network of educational institutions nationwide. As part of The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to supporting its employees and cast members, Disney Aspire puts #DreamsWithinReach by removing key barriers to enrollment and inspiring career mobility. For more information about Disney Aspire, including the program’s recently added HBCU(s), or to sign up, eligible Disney employees and cast members can visit aspire.disney.com.
Have questions about Disney Aspire? Find all the answers you need in our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section.