The Creative School partners with Disney for an exclusive mentorship program

For over a century, Disney has built a legacy of creativity, innovation and storytelling that’s made an impression on countless people–and generations–to imagine new possibilities. Now, with an exclusive mentorship program that has wrapped up its second successful year, students at The Creative School are gaining rare access to one of the most influential media and entertainment corporations in the world, all while discovering what it means to shape the future of the industry.

A few years ago, Disney had a bold idea: to bring their successful U.S.-based mentorship initiative to Canada–and to do so with a faculty known for cultivating creative talent. That initial conversation sparked a uniquely tailored 13-week experience designed to connect students with mentors who represent the full spectrum of Disney’s media ecosystem.

“Now in our third year, the Disney Media Mentors program serves to expose a new and diverse generation of future leaders to the entertainment business, by investing in their professional growth and development,” says Jim Johnson, Partnership Marketing, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “Mentorship can have a meaningful impact on all of us and here at The Walt Disney Company, we’re passionate about encouraging and enabling personal development.”

The creative visionaries of tomorrow

With the idea of nurturing the creative visionaries of tomorrow, the program pairs each student with one or two Disney mentors, and over the course of 13 weeks, they dive into real-world discussions about the creative process, career navigation, innovation, and collaboration. Depending on their goals and evolving interests, students may also be introduced to additional mentors across departments — offering a panoramic view of the Disney machine.

“My time in the program was full of incredibly enlightening conversations with Disney employees from different disciplines and locations,” says Creative Industries student, Catherine Thorne. “Each professional had a different story to share, a different tidbit of advice that I have integrated into my personal creative toolbox.” 

With weekly readings, one-on-one coffee chats with industry professionals and a curriculum tackling topics like business strategy and personal development, students were immersed in the media industry, shining a light on the world of possibilities available to them in their budding careers.

“They shared their creative journeys in all of their unpredictability and imperfection,” says Thorne. “It was so reassuring to know that these trail blazers also faced rejection, self doubt and hardship. Their stories and advice, in all their range and diversity, showed me a pathway forward as a young creative professional.”

A commitment to emerging talent

More than just a resume filler, the mentorship is structured around three guiding pillars: one-on-one mentorship, professional development, and goal-setting. Students are encouraged to show up as their full creative selves, while gaining the tools, guidance, and confidence to define what their futures could look like and how to get there.

“Disney is at the centre of all my happiest memories and is the catalyst behind my love for media and entertainment,” says Creative Industries student, Avery Hickman. “I could have never imagined how much I would gain from this experience. There was so much more to a career in media and entertainment than I ever thought possible! I learned so much about content sales, licensing, distribution, business strategy, communications and marketing that I will take with me for the rest of my career.”

For students participating in the Disney mentorship program, the experience goes beyond LinkedIn connections and portfolio advice. It’s a formative step toward becoming the kinds of creators who don’t just dream of big ideas but have the skills and know how to make them happen–with the experience being just as meaningful for the mentors as the mentees.

“From our experience, our TMU mentees have been a dynamic, inquisitive group who come to the table with a solid understanding of the creative industry,” says Johnson. “Each of them have been keen to learn, open to new ideas, unafraid to ask the tough questions and genuinely excited about their future careers. As mentors, I can unequivocally say that we gain as much from the experience as the mentees do. We are building relationships that can go beyond our 13 week program and look forward to continuing to guide, mentor and be there for our participants.”

And as the industry continues to evolve, so will the partnership, opening new doors for students who are ready to lead, create, and imagine what’s next.

“Working with Disney was just as magical as I always hoped it would be. I am incredibly grateful to The Walt Disney Company and The Creative School for this opportunity,” says Hickman.

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.