Daughter was accepted as a lifeguard, but...

[Mahwah]

My daughter was accepted into the college program as a lifeguard. At first, she wasn't crazy about this position, but after speaking to several people....she started to get excited so she decided to accept their offer and pay the $300. After all of this, her university's internship department decided they did not want any of their resort & hospitality majors being a lifeguard/custodian/merchandise/housekeeping.....the school wants their students doing something with hospitality. Now.....she is in limbo! Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone experience this type of problem before?

 

[eadavis]

her university's internship department decided they did not want any of their resort & hospitality majors being a lifeguard/custodian/merchandise/housekeeping

Believe it or not, those are the roles that get some of the most guest interaction, the most difficult, and truly require you to be hospitable.

Your chances at changing her role are slim to none. Prospective students make selections at preferred roles, and the Company places them based on their interview, role preference, prior education, and most importantly, the Company's operational needs. You are more than welcome to call and request a change, don't know who you would contact for that though. There should be contact information for the Casting Office in the information packets she's received.

Honestly though, every role that is available in the CP is a hospitality role, it just depends on what your definition is of Hospitality. Her role is technically "Recreation," she could be placed as a lifeguard at one of the resorts, or at one of the waterparks. The skills she can gain during this role can be applied in a number of ways, it all depends on how she markets herself. In Recreation, she will be responsible for the safety and lives of her guests, must anticipate potential safety risks, and partner with other departments in the parks or resorts during guest situations among other things.

I think the most extreme you can get with hospitality and guest service is perfoming CPR to save the life of a guest.

 

[Mahwah]

Believe it or not, those are the roles that get some of the most guest interaction, the most difficult, and truly require you to be hospitable.

Your chances at changing her role are slim to none. Prospective students make selections at preferred roles, and the Company places them based on their interview, role preference, prior education, and most importantly, the Company's operational needs. You are more than welcome to call and request a change, don't know who you would contact for that though. There should be contact information for the Casting Office in the information packets she's received.

Honestly though, every role that is available in the CP is a hospitality role, it just depends on what your definition is of Hospitality. Her role is technically "Recreation," she could be placed as a lifeguard at one of the resorts, or at one of the waterparks. The skills she can gain during this role can be applied in a number of ways, it all depends on how she markets herself. In Recreation, she will be responsible for the safety and lives of her guests, must anticipate potential safety risks, and partner with other departments in the parks or resorts during guest situations among other things.

I think the most extreme you can get with hospitality and guest service is perfoming CPR to save the life of a guest.

My daughter called the college program and told them the situation and she was told if its because of her school, they can change her role all the way up until start date! I agree with everything you are saying and she has explained this to her school, but she is still back and forth with them. They don't seem to be listening!

 

[surferdude]

My daughter called the college program and told them the situation and she was told if its because of her school, they can change her role all the way up until start date! I agree with everything you are saying and she has explained this to her school, but she is still back and forth with them. They don't seem to be listening!

At least it can be changed then! Did they just switch it automatically or does she have to have some kind of letter from her school? Also Congrats!

 

[Mahwah]

At least it can be changed then! Did they just switch it automatically or does she have to have some kind of letter from her school? Also Congrats! [/QUOT

Spoke to daughter again tonight about this situation and she says right now....the school isn't budging and neither is Disney. My daughter gets a different answer every time she calls Disney. She is hoping that the school will give in. The school faxed a letter to Disney, but they still haven't changed her role. Not sure what she is going to do. It is silly for her to do this role if she isn't going to get the internship credit! :/

 

[dairylives]

Sounds like you didn't do enough research into what the school required. :/

I would just go for it. I did my CP without the benefit of college credit and enjoyed it.

 

[surferdude]

At least it can be changed then! Did they just switch it automatically or does she have to have some kind of letter from her school? Also Congrats! [/QUOT

Spoke to daughter again tonight about this situation and she says right now....the school isn't budging and neither is Disney. My daughter gets a different answer every time she calls Disney. She is hoping that the school will give in. The school faxed a letter to Disney, but they still haven't changed her role. Not sure what she is going to do. It is silly for her to do this role if she isn't going to get the internship credit! :/

Honestly, even if she doesnt she already paid 300 bucks that isnt refundable, so either waste that money (unfortunately) or still participate in the program. The positive side is that she still gains experience, something to use on her resume, and a way into getting into it again (if she desired) for either a PI that would count or even another CP that would count. But I wouldnt give up with the college. Did she try asking what if she took a Disney Class that maybe is related to her major? Best of luck for what every happens.

 

[sephorachick]

that sucks. I was a hospitality major & worked at All star music food court & 2nd time Fantasyland attractions. I bet she will be a lifeguard at a hotel to be semi in her field. she can network & shadow that way. I shadowed at my hotel while I was there. Opportunities are what u make of them.....

 

[Mahwah]

Sounds like you didn't do enough research into what the school required. :/

I would just go for it. I did my CP without the benefit of college credit and enjoyed it.

Actually my daughter DID do her research, but her school decided to change things around a bit. She is NOT going to give up on the school....she is going to call them every week until they get tired of hearing from her.

 

[Mahwah]

Honestly, even if she doesnt she already paid 300 bucks that isnt refundable, so either waste that money (unfortunately) or still participate in the program. The positive side is that she still gains experience, something to use on her resume, and a way into getting into it again (if she desired) for either a PI that would count or even another CP that would count. But I wouldnt give up with the college. Did she try asking what if she took a Disney Class that maybe is related to her major? Best of luck for what every happens.

Thank you for your positive thinking...hopefully everything will work out!

 

[szymcl]

Wow, that is too bad! My daughter was a lifeguard for her CP and now she if full time concierge. She was a hospitality major who needed an internship as well, but she was in a performing group at Purdue, so she couldn't take a semester off. So she did her regular internship with a hotel during the summer. Then when she graduated, she did the college program, knowing she could stay there if she liked it, since she was already graduated. She did enjoy her time as a lifeguard, she has a blog, let me know if you would like a link.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but the lifeguard job is a pretty good one for the cp's, they can get to see a lot of different resorts, meet lots of full timers, and my daughter worked at several different hotels. She was able to pick up shifts in quick service at the parks. Keep trying to switch, what college is it?

 

[Mahwah]

Wow, that is too bad! My daughter was a lifeguard for her CP and now she if full time concierge. She was a hospitality major who needed an internship as well, but she was in a performing group at Purdue, so she couldn't take a semester off. So she did her regular internship with a hotel during the summer. Then when she graduated, she did the college program, knowing she could stay there if she liked it, since she was already graduated. She did enjoy her time as a lifeguard, she has a blog, let me know if you would like a link.
I know this doesn't answer your question, but the lifeguard job is a pretty good one for the cp's, they can get to see a lot of different resorts, meet lots of full timers, and my daughter worked at several different hotels. She was able to pick up shifts in quick service at the parks. Keep trying to switch, what college is it?

YES!!! I would LOVE to see your daughter's blog!! I am really hoping her school changes their mind otherwise not sure what she will do. Either we will loose the $300 or maybe she will just go for it and not worry about the internship credit! She attends Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida (the west coast of Florida) She is going to keep calling Disney and her college until someone gives in! lol

 

[leebee]

YES!!! I would LOVE to see your daughter's blog!! I am really hoping her school changes their mind otherwise not sure what she will do. Either we will loose the $300 or maybe she will just go for it and not worry about the internship credit! She attends Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida (the west coast of Florida) She is going to keep calling Disney and her college until someone gives in! lol

Sorry FGCU is giving your daughter such a hard time. Their basketball team is certainly giving the "Big Boys" a hard time at the NCAA men's basketball tournament!!

 

[Mahwah]

Sorry FGCU is giving your daughter such a hard time. Their basketball team is certainly giving the "Big Boys" a hard time at the NCAA men's basketball tournament!!

haha!! Yes.....this basketball stuff was too exciting...daughter drove out to Texas for the game tonight....glad she had the opportunity!

 

[Luvchefmic]

If it were my daughter I would advise to do the lifeguard role, not even because of the $300 already paid, but world wide the Disney Co has a stellar reputation for the people they hire Having it on a resume' is priceless

As far as phoning Disney & her school I wouldn't go any further with that There's a fine line between assertive and aggressive just my humble opinions

 

[belleinpink]

My daughter was accepted into the college program as a lifeguard. At first, she wasn't crazy about this position, but after speaking to several people....she started to get excited so she decided to accept their offer and pay the $300. After all of this, her university's internship department decided they did not want any of their resort & hospitality majors being a lifeguard/custodian/merchandise/housekeeping.....the school wants their students doing something with hospitality. Now.....she is in limbo! Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone experience this type of problem before?

If she really wants to do the program, tell her to do it. My college told me the program was a scam because they had never heard of it and that I shouldn't do it when I went to see if I could get any type of credit for it. I told them to have fun sitting behind a desk dealing with grumpy students, I was going to Disney World for 7 months. There are classes she can take that may help her case with the school.

 

[szymcl]

I sent you a private message with my daughter's blog. I think you will find it helpful!

 

[Mahwah]

Thank you everyone for your comments! My daughter heard back from Disney today and they were able to change her role from lifeguard to attractions because of FGCU's requirement!

 

[sephorachick]

Thank you everyone for your comments! My daughter heard back from Disney today and they were able to change her role from lifeguard to attractions because of FGCU's requirement!

YAY! That is amazing! You'll have to let us know where she ends up working

 

[surferdude]

Thank you everyone for your comments! My daughter heard back from Disney today and they were able to change her role from lifeguard to attractions because of FGCU's requirement!

So glad that something was able to be done for her!