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Children, while they are growing up, have a dream of what they want to be someday. Not all see that dream through. However, Pepperdine alumna Rebecca Smith Godsil not only fulfilled her dream of becoming a Disney employee; she has gone beyond her expectations as a 2005 Walt Disney World Ambassador.
As a spokesperson for the company, Godsil has become an intricate part of the place that she grew to know and love as a child.
Her duties as an ambassador fall within three categories: media, outreach programs, and cast-member relations. In the media aspect of her job, Godsil is the representative for the company whenever television or radio stations come to the park to broadcast.
“I interview with the reporters, talking to them about what is new in the park and with the company,” Godsil said. “This part of my job requires me to get people excited about the park and coming to visit.”
Another aspect is being a part of the outreach programs that Disney organizes throughout the community. These programs include bringing Disney characters to facilities such as local hospitals. Around the holiday times, the characters move throughout the hospitals to say ‘hello’ to the children and to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas.”
One of her more recent outreach programs was to the victims of the Gulf Coast hurricane disaster. Godsil and her cast of characters traveled to the hurricane shelters in Texas to bring some happiness to those confined there.
“Going to shelters was a moving experience,” Godsil said. “When we brought in the characters, everyone had huge smiles on their faces, and the kids were so excited.
“The adults were happy that we had come so far and had brought toys and coloring books so the kids had something to do. We really geared it toward the kids, and it is a special memory to be able to brighten people’s lives after a disaster like the hurricanes.”
The third part of her job is cast-member relations. As an ambassador for the park, she also becomes the representative of the thousands of people who work there. She works closely with the all employees, holding presentations on topics such as Disney heritage, being a part of the dedication ceremonies and openings of new attractions and introducing speakers at company events.
However, for Godsil the thrill of the job is being able to represent the company she has loved throughout her life.
“As an ambassador, you stand for Disney, and I am proud to represent this company,” Godsil said. “When you respect and like the company, that pride in getting to represent something that does a lot of things for people is a worthwhile experience.”
Growing up in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Godsil was able to make the annual family trip to Disneyland, and during her adolescent years, she decided that a Disney profession was the one for her.
After graduating from Foothill High School in Redding, Calif., in 1997, Godsil began her career as a Pepperdine student.
She participated on the debate team her freshman year, volunteered throughout her academic career, was a residential adviser for her junior and senior year and also participated in the Pepperdine Communications Association for Communication majors for which served as president her senior year.
During her sophomore year, Godsil went overseas to London, an experience that she credits to be the most memorable of her Pepperdine years.
“My overseas experience was very impactful for me and is something that I encourage anyone to take advantage of,” Godsil said. “You get the opportunity to learn about different cultures and different people.”
While in London, Godsil served as R.A., and also met her future husband, fellow Pepperdine student Josh Godsil.
Through her role as R.A., Godsil’s natural talent in group settings was apparent to everyone, including the visiting faculty, according to professor of education Dr. Claudette Wilson.
“Her leadership was so important to the continuing good nature of the group,” Wilson said. “She was creative and upbeat and had good ideas for keeping everyone thinking ahead to the next good work or field trip exploration.”
Her love for Disney was not something that was easily stifled, even thousands of miles away from her beloved kingdom.
During her time overseas, Godsil visited the Euro-Disney park during her weekend travels.
“We all knew where her heart beat, and that was in the Disney Kingdom,” Wilson said. “She was happiest there.”
Godsil graduated in 2001 with a degree in organizational communication, and with two years as a hotel clerk at the Disneyland resort, sought to continue her conquest of the Disney empire.
She worked for Disneyland's human resources division as a guest relation cast member until 2002, when she left the company to join her husband in his work in Mammoth, Calif.
However, the two of them soon continued the Disney journey as they moved across the country in 2003 to Winter Garden, Fla., a suburb of Orlando, to allow Godsil to follow her dream.
While in Florida, Godsil started at the Disney Reservation Center for the Walt Disney World Resort as a manager, her first managerial role.
In August 2004, she and 150 other cast members began the application process to become a Walt Disney World Ambassador. After narrowing down the field to nine cast members, Godsil was chosen as one of three ambassadors in a ceremony at the park.
Her term as an ambassador ends at the end of the year, but she doesn’t think her time with Disney is over.
“I have the option to go back to working in the Reservation Center as the manager, but I am also looking into different fields in the company, such as communications, sales or park operations,” Godsil said. “Right now, I’m just trying to enjoy my final weeks as the Ambassador.”
As a former Pepperdine student, Godsil can relate to the struggles associated with finishing college and going into the real world to find that perfect job.
“Take advantage of every opportunity and have realistic expectations,” Godsil said. “Working hourly and commuting is tough, but it is working toward something bigger. Your internships may not be exactly what you want at the time, but they do pave way to something bigger. You think you are going to get everything right away, and while it did happen for me, it did take time.”
Submitted 11-17-2005
MALIBU, CA
