CP Alumni Question.....

[Disney Daniel]

There are many posts on the College Board about people going on the College Program. For those who have been on the program, how do you feel the experience has influenced your life since then? Interested in hearing the different responses! :bounce:

[teh fish]

I don't think it's influenced my life as much as it has created some incredible memories. Sometimes, when I think about it, I can't believe I was a character performer. It's just crazy thinking about how when I took vacations to WDW I never realized what goes on backstage.

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Well given that at the moment, I'm still employed at WDW, I'd say that it has had a pretty major influence on my life since then.

[Joanna71985]

It majorly changed my life. I am a recreation major and before I went on my CP, I thought about working for the DCL. Now, having done the CP, I've changed my mind. I decided I want to work for Disney full-time- in entertainment. I have so many friends in entertainment that I think I would like to do that.

[Lansley1]

Just a quick question. I am really thinking about doing an intership for fall 06. Why is it when you talk to some peple they HATED it! that say the pay was bad, the hours were long and they wanted to come home early. But you talk to some other people and they liked it. Does the job have alot to with it?

[Joanna71985]

It probably has to do with things like hating their job, having a bad manager, things like that. As for money, if you spend wisely, you CAN bring home money. I brought home about $1500. I'm also considering doing Fall 2006. Woo-hoo! :cool1:

[Principessa1284]

You're going to find that with ANY job, espeically in customer service oriented jobs. If you're REALLY not a people person, or very picky, or quick to anger, it may not be the way to go. But there are also aspects that people like and dislike.. not everyone is going like to like every aspect. You might hate your roomate but have an amazing job with an amazing manager.

Weigh the pros and cons.. but it's a decision you have to make for yourself. And you never know if you don't try.

[Servants of Evan]

I am really thinking about doing an intership for fall 06. Why is it when you talk to some peple they HATED it! that say the pay was bad, the hours were long and they wanted to come home early. But you talk to some other people and they liked it. Does the job have alot to with it?

While I have never done an internship at Disney (though I've known two people who have) we do take on interns at our facility. Usually, the problems don't come from the job itself, but rather the interns' expectations. It's been many years since my college days but things haven't changed that much... One friend, Natalie, who went to Disney as a recreation major found herself weeding gardens her first few weeks. Simply put, she sucked it up and did her best -- putting in the time it required to make it perfect. Another girl she was paired with (a communications major) basically did the job, but didn't like it and it showed. You can guess which one was offered a job at the completion of their internship. I haven't talked with Natalie in quite a while, but I hear she's doing well with the Mouse (and she's not weeding gardens)...

Since you're all in college, you all know the basic facts of life -- First, Work is WORK, and fun is FUN (and if you get to combine the two, you're very lucky). Secondly, internships are more than just another form of semi-slave labor. They are a long-term test which is cruely designed to bring out the best and worst in people. They're like a military boot camp with less yelling, and fewer five mile runs at 04:30 (and hopefully are also devoid of the firearms). The point is, they are designed to seperate those people who can "get the job done with a smile on their face no matter the obsticles" versus those who are looking to "maybe learn something and just have a good time." Sure, even the "good timers" will have a story to tell, but they won't have a chance at a career.

The point being, if you're a communications major, chances are you probably won't be working on the next DTV video or other program. The problems aren't with the internship, they're with the expectations. Remember, this is a test -- will you do what it takes to be noticed (in a good way) or will you pout and exclaim "That's not what I'm supposed to be doing?" If you're the person doing the hiring, which person would you select -- Mr/Ms "Pitch in and get it done" or Mr/Ms "It's not my job"? The choice is easy, and the choice is yours.

[Lansley1]

wow that was very well put. It made me think and your are very right.

[Principessa1284]

Something I heard from an alumni made a lot of sense to me. She said a lot of CPs expect to get down there and have a special job in a special place, and are dissapointed. Most jobs at disney are regular jobs in a special setting. Yes, there is that potential to make magic, but you're not going to be treated any better than another job. You may be cleaning toilets, you may be Cinderella. Everyone has to make their own magic.

[Servants of Evan]

Lansley,

The reason I posted was to possibly help some of you "kids" (please forgive the label) learn a few quick tips that will undoubtedly help you in the long run, coupled with the frustration I often feel at my own company. If you want to get ahead, it takes more than knowledge. As a real current-day example, my company is hiring for two positions - one of which is a pretty technically oriented position. Yet as we are begining the interviewing process, technical proficiency is not the driving criteria for the candidate -- but rather his or her people skills. We not only need a person to "do the job" but who can also treat our customers with tact, skill, and understanding. I often feel I can teach them the technical knowledge in a single years' time (and I am quite willing to invest that time in training the new hire), but if they can't deal with a client in a professional manner, I'm not even going to try and candidly they won't even be considered. We have times when we are working loooooonnnnng hours (my personal record was 108 in a week), yet even if exhausted beyond comprehension we need a person who can paste on a cheery smile and carry on taking care of the client. At times like that you definately have to "dig down deep," but if you can manage the rewards are handsome. Then when you look around at those people who are "getting the job done" you realize who your real leaders are. And as a further tip: virtually every company/industry is like this. Be seen doing the right things, and the respect and rewards will follow. Don't be afraid to pitch in to get a job done, no matter how crummy -- someone will notice. The only other tip I have is "don't get drunk at the office Christmas party" -- nothing good ever comes from it!

[IamCourtney]

I put this to the side, because I really didn't think any of you cared what I had to say..mostly because some of you will be CPs shortly, and you don't really care to hear a leader tell her "story", but the previous posts really made me want to tell my "story". (You WILL hear everyone tell their story. Some people are very proud of the things they've done with the Company and tell their story often...I have a few of these stories memorized.) I can't believe I even have a story to tell...it is quite short.

I am a CP right now, but my program officially ends tomorrow (more on this in a minute). This is only my second real job ever, after a 5 month brush with death in retail. I've done silly things like be a nanny for two spoiled children, but nothing really real. I am a Hotel and Restaurant Management major at University of Houston with an interest in Bar Ownership, but I still have at least two years left (I've changed majors a couple times, but I absolutely love where I am now!).

I came to the program thinking I would never survive living away from Houston and away from all my friends and family. When I interviewed, I knew I was going to get an offer, and I knew it was going to be in housekeeping, because my interviewer told me and almost everyone from my college is selected and goes as a housekeeper or resort hopper. I was okay with this, because I have to learn it anyway--why not do it at Disney? When I got the offer I was super bummed to see that I was selected for the Fall Advantage program. How was I supposed to survive 7 and a half months?

I came down and spent the first couple months having fun outside of work, but absolutely hating everything about my job. I had a breakdown or two with my managers and told them I couldn't do it, I wouldn't do it, I hated what they made us do....blah blah. I just wasn't all about cleaning up after people that were just plain nasty. Then somewhere in there, I became kind of buddies with one of the CP managers and some of the others as well, and I started seeing just how awesome housekeeping is as a department. I looked at it as a whole and not just the 18 rooms I cleaned that day. My attitude changed completely, and my managers noticed. I did everything differently, including not crying in guest rooms.

I learned every area of the department: Base Operations, Lost and Found, Rooms, and Room Inspection. There is so much more that goes on in housekeeping than you would realize just being a guest at a resort. By September, I was so pumped about the department, that I put in my application for a Rooms and Related Management Internship for January. I was applying for an open position, meaning I could have been placed in Front Desk, Housekeeping (Guest Show in Disney speak), Bell Services, or Concierge. I really wanted Guest Show, but they said it was competitive and I would most likely make it in Front Desk. Whatever, I knew I wanted to stay with the Company, and I need to learn everything.

Already way too long story short: My managers were awesome, Had some awful battles with Casting and Professional Recruiting, offered a position as Guest Show Management Intern at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort where I will start out at The Beach Club Villas. My very best friend in Florida (a whole other long story) is going to be doing a Management internship in Merchandise at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and a good friend I made in housekeeping will be a Food and Beverage Management Intern at Concourse Steakhouse at Disney's Contemporary Resort. A lot of my friends either extended their programs as CPs, will stay on full-time, or have some sort of Professional or Management Internship.

My current College Program officially ends tomorrow. I move out of Chatham tomorrow, but my MI doesn't begin until January 10. My managers have "extended" my college program for another 5 days, even though I won't be living in housing anymore. This really just means that my ID has been extended so I could pick up extra hours if I wanted (I don't, I never have) and I have park access for the 6 days I have off between programs.

Moral of the story: It will not come easily, but if you make it a miserable time it will be miserable. This isn't like a normal internship some of your friends may be doing at other companies. This is a way for you to get away from your school and family and see if you could make it. There is so much more to the Program than just your job. For some people it is a foot in the door with the company. For some its just a semester off of school. Regardless, the Company offers so much to you as a Cast Member and a CP, and you should take advantage of every possible minute of it. I'm not even a Disney nut like some people, but I've been coming to the parks my whole life. You will learn so much about the Company and the way a huge Fortune 100 company with 56,000 employees functions.

Yes, it has changed my outlook on things considerably. I would say it changed my life, only because I am considering relocating permanently. Whether I stay with the Company or not, I will have an amazing respect for it and everything it does, and I will take with me some really great things (and connections).

I wish you all the best of luck, and I will probably see some of you around (and point out your Disney Look violations). If anyone needs anything or has any questions, let me know. I will be here as a Cast Member and as a manager...and I know how it feels to be a CP lost in a crowd.

[agotta]

Just wanted to put in my .02. I did the WDWCP twice and both times it was amazing. All I can say is to take advantage of every opportunity you can. Meet as many people and make friends as possible. Also take advantage of the courses that are offere to you and try to shadow a manager at least once.

The memories I made on those internships will last the rest of my life. I still have some very dear friends that were made at Disney. On top of that, I met me current Dh on the program and we share a love of Disney.

You will find many who hated the program (a lot of them were in quick food servcice :rolleyes: ) They expected things out of the program that were never promised. Also, the program isn't for everyone. My brother was a CP my second time and let halfway through because he was homesick. Be honest with your expectations. If I could have been a CP forever, I would have :) Have fun and good luck!

[Tiggerfan14]

That is awesome!! Congratulations.Now that you are no longer considered a CP, where will you be living? Are there other accomodations if you decided to stay on. What about school? Are you taking classes down there, or are you doing distance learning, sorry for all the questions , just curious

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I responded earlier, but my answer was pretty much a non-answer. Based on what some others have posted, here's a bit of an expansion of "my story". (If you haven't already discovered, most people have a "feel good" story of some sort)

When I started my college program, I was at the Main Entrance turnstyles. It was a very routine, not very challenging position. I was not real happy, but I wanted to stay with the company. At the conclusion of my CP, I went to Casting, filled out transfer paperwork, and ended up transferring to a new location, as a Full Time castmember. My new location, a very large (both in terms of space, and staffing) attraction was, at first, overwhelming. There was a LOT to learn, a lot of people to meet, and at first I wasn't sure I'd succeed.

What happened? I busted my rear, trying to do the best job that I could do, and tried to make sure I was continually improving my own performance. And people noticed. Managers and friends started encouraging me to apply to be a trainer. During my trainer interview, the training manager for our area, who had also been one of my managers at the main entrance said something along the lines of "I don't know what happened, at the main entrance you were bored and not really motivated, but you've done a complete 180 since then, and it's a very nice improvement" (and I got a position on the training team)

Not only have I improved myself ("Disney Trainer" is going to look very good on a resume), but I've also had a chance to meet some amazing people, guest and cast alike. I've seen incredible smiles, and have had chances to create some awesome vacation memories. I've gotten to work in a lot of different areas, and do a lot of things that I never dreamed I would be doing one day. (If you had told me, even 2 years ago, that I was going to be driving a safari truck, or engineer on a railroad, I'd have probably laughed, but since then, I've done both)

Yes, it can be challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[princesstommi]

I did my CP in Fall 2000, and I can definitely say it changed the rest of my life. Biggest impact? I met my DH there. We met that semester and were married in July 2002. Currently DH is finishing his degree and we plan to move back to Orlando this coming year, and of course hopefully work for Disney. So, I basically found the rest of my life in that semester that I was just trying to find a change from school.

The experience was great, and I agree with other posters. You can get out of it what you put in, in relationships with new people and with the job. I sometimes wish that we would have been like people like Eric (Hi Eric!) and stayed after our CP semester. We chose to go home, get married, finish school (and start again!) before we headed back down. At least we'll be back soon. :)

[IamCourtney]

I moved out today, and we put all of our stuff in the new apartment. Its a complex called Plantation Park and its right between Vista Way and Chatham. Because we will both be managers, we are not offered company housing (we can't live with anyone who might be our direct reports). Luckily my best friend and I are doing the same program. The company did offer us temporary housing up to 14 days, so he (roommate best friend) opted to have a resort stay. We checked in today, and since we don't have cable, internet, or furniture we are going to live in the resort (I'm not scamming the company...the room is booked for him only, but he can have up to 5 people in the room, otherwise they would be paying for both of us to have our own rooms for 2 weeks).

I am not taking classes while I'm down here...I will transfer if I decide to stay, but my school is giving me credit for everything I do here. It works out for me...I'm lucky. My roommate had to unenroll from his school to come here at all.

Starting January 8, I will have a blue ID, which means I am salaried, and I will be a manager. I will be working a minimum of 45 hours a week and up to as many as are required. I probably won't have too much time to take classes.

Thanks for the congratulations...and hope I answered all the questions. I don't remember them all!

[SyracuseWolvrine]

(Hi Eric!)

(Hi Tommi! Have you managed to dry out yet from that mostly soggy Illuminations dessert party?)

[resol37]

Just a quick question. I am really thinking about doing an intership for fall 06. Why is it when you talk to some peple they HATED it! that say the pay was bad, the hours were long and they wanted to come home early. But you talk to some other people and they liked it. Does the job have alot to with it?

I think it has a lot to do with the job and also how prepared they are for it. I was a CP from Jan - May 04 and in Feb I was begging my mother to get me out of there. I was extremely homesick and didn't have any friends. I also hated the job I had there (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground). But after awhile I made some friends and moved to the Backlot Tour and I was a lot happier. I was still ready to home by the end of it because of the homesickness, but I don't regret my time there at the least.

Though I will say the hours they have you working are extreme. One day I had a 13 hour shift and had to be back at 6 am the next day.

Most people, if they're ready to live away from home and get a job they enjoy will love it.

[txSleepingBeauty]

the pay does suck, and the hours are long, but for the most part it's a wonderful place to spend a semester.

I did the '04 spring advantage and left early (roomates were moving out, things going on at home) and no it didn't change my life drastically, but it did change me. Imade several fantastic friends (as a matter of fact one of them is geting married in may to our next door neighbor!!) and had a job I enjoyed in merchandise in Frontierland. It definately helped me in my line of work now, and helped me come out of my shell with strangers too.
I'd recommend it to anyone, but I'd warn them to go in with their eyes open and not to expect for it to be magical ever day.

[yitbos96bb]

There are many posts on the College Board about people going on the College Program. For those who have been on the program, how do you feel the experience has influenced your life since then? Interested in hearing the different responses! :bounce:

I did 3 programs (Winter/Summer 1998, Summer 1999, and Winter 2000) and was DAK opening crew. I must say that the CP was a wonderful experience that affected my life positively. Having Disney on my resume has helped me get jobs, both part time retail and corporate level. It always is a great conversation piece and the different customer service and business practices you learn about come in handy out in the business world. I would still love to be able and go back and do it all again.

[yitbos96bb]

Just a quick question. I am really thinking about doing an intership for fall 06. Why is it when you talk to some peple they HATED it! that say the pay was bad, the hours were long and they wanted to come home early. But you talk to some other people and they liked it. Does the job have alot to with it?

Same reasons some people hate being away from home for college.

The hours can be long, and the pay is bad, but then even the Disney people will tell you this is not something you go down to earn money. Heck a lot of internships are completely unpaid. Some people just don't get into the Disney magic... it can get annoying if you aren't into it. Others miss home and Girlfriends, boyfriends etc. Still others don't like the plethora of rules involved with Disney and the CP.

It is a fabulous time. If you pay attention you learn a lot about service industry business, which will serve you well in any career interacting with people (so pretty much any career). The work can be boring and stressful, but other days you will have magical moments that just make the bad stuff go away. It also is a heck of a party down there as well... the stories I can tell (and most CPers) are not suitable for the boards... but I always like to say Animal House times 100.

As I have said, I would LOVE to have the chance to do it again. I really had a wonderful time and recommend it for everyone.

[yitbos96bb]

While I have never done an internship at Disney (though I've known two people who have) we do take on interns at our facility. Usually, the problems don't come from the job itself, but rather the interns' expectations. It's been many years since my college days but things haven't changed that much... One friend, Natalie, who went to Disney as a recreation major found herself weeding gardens her first few weeks. Simply put, she sucked it up and did her best -- putting in the time it required to make it perfect. Another girl she was paired with (a communications major) basically did the job, but didn't like it and it showed. You can guess which one was offered a job at the completion of their internship. I haven't talked with Natalie in quite a while, but I hear she's doing well with the Mouse (and she's not weeding gardens)...

Since you're all in college, you all know the basic facts of life -- First, Work is WORK, and fun is FUN (and if you get to combine the two, you're very lucky). Secondly, internships are more than just another form of semi-slave labor. They are a long-term test which is cruely designed to bring out the best and worst in people. They're like a military boot camp with less yelling, and fewer five mile runs at 04:30 (and hopefully are also devoid of the firearms). The point is, they are designed to seperate those people who can "get the job done with a smile on their face no matter the obsticles" versus those who are looking to "maybe learn something and just have a good time." Sure, even the "good timers" will have a story to tell, but they won't have a chance at a career.

The point being, if you're a communications major, chances are you probably won't be working on the next DTV video or other program. The problems aren't with the internship, they're with the expectations. Remember, this is a test -- will you do what it takes to be noticed (in a good way) or will you pout and exclaim "That's not what I'm supposed to be doing?" If you're the person doing the hiring, which person would you select -- Mr/Ms "Pitch in and get it done" or Mr/Ms "It's not my job"? The choice is easy, and the choice is yours.

I was a film major and my third Internship (an Advanced one) got me involved with that aspect of Disney... No it wasn't the stuff taking place in LA, but it was corporate video shoots, show taping etc. Helped me a lot and actually led to my first job after graduation (not with Disney). I got this by networking my first two CP. So What Servant of Evan says is true. And for those looking for work more along their major, many Advanced internships require CP participation first. Always think of the basic college program as a pre-internship. It can open a lot of doors for you both in and out of Disney.