For Cal State Fullerton business alumni, career dreams developed in college can set them on a journey across the globe.
That is what happened to Christina Zeek ’16 (entertainment and hospitality management), who now takes the stage as a performer at Disney’s Shanghai Resort.
Zeek joined The Walt Disney Company in 2015, starting in Anaheim while a junior at Cal State Fullerton, then spending the last six years at Shanghai Disney.
Less than a decade into a Disney career, Zeek has already traveled to many countries, held multiple roles and enjoyed magical experiences.
“I have trained more than 50 cast members for shows on the Enchanted Storybook Castle stage,” says Zeek. “As an inaugural cast member with one other person, it was challenging to manage and shape the responsibilities, goals and expectations we and our partners had for this position. It provided me with the biggest learning experience and the confidence moving forward to present my own ideas and be a strong leader.”
Arriving in China without fluent knowledge of Mandarin, Zeek faced – and overcame – language barriers as part of her move.
“We worked closely with our direct partners, such as managers and fellow dance captains who primarily spoke Mandarin,” Zeek recalls. “This allowed me to rely on and enhance my language training in a professional setting. It turned into a valuable skill that will be helpful in my career in the future.”
For Disney cast members, there isn’t the 9-5, so unconventional work hours such as weekends and holidays are the norm. And oftentimes even late-night work. But Zeek and many of her colleagues find it well worth it.
“There is a lot of magic that happens behind the scenes that would make anyone feel very proud,” she says.
Starting a Disney Career at Cal State Disney
Like so many others, Zeek’s introduction to Disneyland as a career path came at Cal State Fullerton, which has been jokingly nicknamed “Cal State Disney” by faculty and students at CSUF and Disney leadership for the multitude of students and alumni who get internships and career jobs there.
Zeek was active in Behind the Scenes, a student club for entertainment and hospitality-focused students that provides networking opportunities, site visits and connections.
“I most enjoyed connecting with fellow motivated students and becoming inspired by my own passion and that of those around me,” she recalls. “In particular, I remember Meet the Execs, which presented us with the opportunity to network with many successful executives from multiple industries within entertainment and hospitality.”
Extracurricular learning is at the heart of the Cal State Fullerton business education, and Zeek took full advantage of out-of-the-classroom learning.
“Some of my most insightful moments came when volunteering at events such as Meet the Execs or alumni panels,” she says. “I had the chance to personally network with successful professionals outside of the event itself.”
Why Choose Entertainment and Hospitality Management?
In retrospect, Zeek can see that her connection with the entertainment and hospitality field began in childhood, as a young performer in ballet classes and taking music lessons.
The academic program at Cal State Fullerton enabled Zeek, like so many others, to turn her personal passion into a lucrative career, exploring business avenues in the field off the stage and behind the scenes.
“When I was a freshman, I remember carefully researching the different business concentrations. I lit up when I came to entertainment and hospitality management!,” she recalls. “It ignited several passions of mine and only progressed when I met the professors. Each of them provided real industry expertise beyond the lecture hall walls.”
Looking ahead, Zeek sees herself continuing to learn and grow at multiple sites and sectors of The Walt Disney Company, including potentially returning to where her journey began at Disneyland in Anaheim.
“Working for The Walt Disney Company has been a dream come true and anybody who knew me during my time at CSUF could attest to that,” she says.
