Most college students are quite familiar with household names like Aladdin, Snow White, and Ariel, and how these Disney characters made dreams come true and taught valuable life lessons. Be the “Disney character” in a child’s life next semester and help dreams transform into reality.
The Disney College Program is a paid internship targeted to undergraduate students. Interns work at the parks and take classes at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. Participants live in apartments near the resorts. Each apartment complex includes amenities like kitchen appliances, maintenance, computer labs, high-speed internet access, and much more to make the apartment feel like a home away from home.
Interns become college students once they are in the classroom and can look forward to taking classes like Human Resource Management, Corporate Analysis, and Organizational Leadership.
Students learn a lot outside of the classroom as well. “Each role offered through the Disney College Program provides a unique and diverse working experience,” explains DisneyCollegeProgram.com. “From costumes to role responsibilities, participants will find that no two jobs are the same. However, all participants will have the opportunity to develop their communication skills, problem-solving skills and work on their confidence and self-reliance.” Interns work in more than 20 different positions at the parks, including Operations.
“Every intern learns something valuable from the experience,” Kelly Fradella, a senior and business management major said. “Living away from home and being able to be on your own is a great way for students to learn how to be independent.”
According to DisneyCollegeProgram.com, students who participate in the program will receive “valuable, on-the-job experience in [their] parks and resorts, and expand [their] knowledge in a classroom with international students.”
Samantha Nagengast, a junior and education major, is a participant of the Disney College Program. “Being an intern at the Disney College Program can open doors with the Disney company,” Nagengast said happily. “Future employers may also think highly of you when you have a popular company like Disney on your resume.”
“You do not have to major in anything specific in order to be a part of the program,” said Fradella, who is also a participant of the Disney College Program. “It’s a generalized learning experience. I think that all students need to learn how to work with people and provide good customer service, no matter what their major is.”
Students who are interested in interning for Disney must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in college when they apply. They must also meet school requirements and possess unrestricted work authorization.
Presentations for the 2011 program will be held at Union County College in Cranford, New Jersey, on October 19 and October 20 in the Executive Education Center. There will be two shows on October 19 that will start at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and two shows at 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on October 20.
via Internships, Right Beside Mickey – Campus News – The Cougar’s Byte.
