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At a presentation sponsored by the First-Year Experience Program, Disney executive Clark Jones (Acct鈥�91) shared听the lessons that he 鈥渘ever knew he was learning鈥� that have brought him success in work and life.听

In a room filled with over 170 eager first-year students, Clark Jones (Acct鈥�91) brought more than just the allure of his impressive title to a presentation hosted by Leeds鈥� First-Year Experience program鈥攈e delivered timeless lessons from his career journey at Disney, a company听celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025 and a听household name.

Through witty anecdotes and references to beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Moana, Jones, Leeds Advisory Board member and the senior vice president of Disneyland Resort Finance, Revenue Management and Special Events, emphasized the importance of networking, seizing opportunities and staying passionate about one鈥檚 work.

In addition to 鈥渘etworking, networking, networking, networking,鈥� Jones鈥櫶齞efining career mantra can be boiled down to three words: 鈥淚 love opportunity.鈥� He had the audience enthusiastically repeat the phrase several times in unison.听

鈥淵ou run into a lot of interesting people that do a lot of interesting things,鈥澨齢e said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to tell people what you鈥檙e interested in.鈥�

He challenged audience members to step out of their comfort zones and make at least one new connection before leaving the event.听

Career Lessons, Disney-Style听

Jones structured his advice around five key lessons he 鈥渘ever knew he was learning,鈥� each tied to a Disney film.

1.鈥淧orch your papers鈥� (Newsies)

As a teenager, Jones delivered newspapers. One Thanksgiving, in a rush, he scattered papers in customers鈥� yards instead of following the family rule of 鈥減orching鈥� them. His father made him go back and correct his mistakes, even though it held up the family鈥檚 holiday plans. The lesson? 鈥淵ou have one shot to do the right thing,鈥� Jones said, quoting Walt Disney: 鈥淒o it well, and people will come back for more.鈥澨�

2. Sacrifice (Hercules)

鈥淭hings don鈥檛 come easy,鈥� said Jones, recalling challenging relocations and work travel during the early years of his marriage to Amy, also a CU alum. 鈥淵ou have to make hard choices, but it will be worth it.鈥澨�

3. Accept feedback (McFarland USA)

Jones referenced the film based on the true story of an unlikely band of cross-country runners who became a champion team. A runner himself, he recalled a cross-country teammate in high school who excelled when she embraced her coach鈥檚 advice to run long-distance, even though she wanted to be a sprinter. Despite her initial resistance, she ultimately went on to pursue ultra-marathons. 鈥淔ind your ultra-marathon,鈥� Jones said, urging students to take feedback to heart, even if it鈥檚 difficult to hear.听

4. Develop self-awareness (The Muppets, specifically the saxophone-playing character Zoot)

As a saxophone player in CU鈥檚 marching band, Jones wanted to be a section leader. The band director admitted Jones wasn鈥檛 a strong enough musician but recognized his leadership skills. The director appointed Jones co-leader, with another student handling the musical aspects. Jones emphasized, 鈥淪urround yourself with people who can fill your gaps. That will only lift you up.鈥� He shared that he never strives to be the smartest person in the room but prefers to collaborate with others to create something greater than himself.听

5. Love what you鈥檙e doing听(Cars)

Jones recounted an audit he did for a tire company while working at Deloitte, noting how mundane the task felt. He went into the warehouse one day out of boredom and had an epiphany about tires. 鈥淣ever forget how cool something truly is,鈥� he said. He encouraged students not to lose sight of the magic in their work, comparing the concept to a scene in Cars in which听the main race听car character gets a new set of dazzling white wall tires. Beyond serving a critical function of safely transporting people, Jones noted, 鈥淧eople in the tire industry love tires because they put food on the table.鈥澨�

Taking the next steps

As Jones鈥� presentation ended, students surged forward, eager to shake hands, ask questions and introduce themselves鈥攅mbracing his challenge to network and lay the groundwork for their future success.听

Just as Jones found the magic in something as seemingly mundane as tires, students were reminded to find their own spark.

His parting words will likely leave a lasting impact, like the characters in the Disney stories鈥攐ne that will guide students long after their first year at Leeds.

鈥淟eeds鈥櫶齭tudents are some of the best鈥攊f not听the best鈥攂usiness students out there. And that鈥檚 a responsibility that you get to carry forward.鈥�