Any older guys ever do the college program?

[ndj1982]

I am 27 and have just set up a phone interview for this saturday. I really want to do the program because I think it would be something good to have on a job resume when I finish school in a couple of years. I went back to college after taking about 4 years off to figure out what I wanted to do and make some money. I have been to Disney World about 6 times in the last 10 years and love the vacation experience and atmosphere.

I guess my biggest concern is the age factor. I will be 28 in October, which I know isn't old, but it probably seems old to a 21 year old. I have never had roommates before, which doesn't bother me, but I am concerned that at my age some younger students might be a little uncomfortable being with someone fairly older than them. I used to work with people of all ages and age never played a factor, but I can see how a 21 or 22 year old might think that someone who is about to turn 28 has very little in common with them.

Has anyone else done the program that was older than "traditional" age and been okay, or was it a bit awkward? Also, has anyone done the program and been younger and had an older roommate and felt uncomfortable? These are just a few concerns I would prefer to have sorted out and help me gain some better insight on the whole matter. Right now I'm unemployed in school full-time and I can't find a job anywhere near me. I think that WDW is a great company to put on a resume when you start looking for jobs after graduation in comparison to what I have for a resume now which consists of warehouse jobs and a 6 year stint in a grocery store in my late teens and early 20's.

 

[luvthephunk]

When I went down on my first program I was 24 and turned 25 while down there and I really didn't feel akward at all about it. My roommate at the time was 29 and I don't really think that he put much thought into how old he was. I'm going down again in one month for another program, at 27 years old and I'm going to be turning 28 while down there also and I just think that its pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. While majority of the people on the college program are younger than you and I, I know of quite a few peopel on the same program that were considerably older and had a great time on their program and I'm sure that you will too. Good luck in your phone interview!

After you hit 21, isn't age just another irrelevent number though???

 

[ndj1982]

When I went down on my first program I was 24 and turned 25 while down there and I really didn't feel akward at all about it. My roommate at the time was 29 and I don't really think that he put much thought into how old he was. I'm going down again in one month for another program, at 27 years old and I'm going to be turning 28 while down there also and I just think that its pretty irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. While majority of the people on the college program are younger than you and I, I know of quite a few peopel on the same program that were considerably older and had a great time on their program and I'm sure that you will too. Good luck in your phone interview!

After you hit 21, isn't age just another irrelevent number though???

Thanks for those details. That actually made me feel a lot better about things. I think it will be a great way to get out and meet people and experience something I'll never get the opportunity to again if I pass is up. I'm sort of a shy and somewhat reserved person and I need something that will really get me adjusted to becoming outgoing. The key to being successful means being able to meet people and bond, so this should all in all be a good learning experience if they elect to let me do the program. Any pointers for the phone interview?

 

[kmn952]

you should do it!! I'm 22 and will be 23 in October and have LOTS of friends that are around 28y old that I love going out/spending time with and I dont think of them as "old" at all...so no worries about that!

 

[luvthephunk]

Thanks for those details. That actually made me feel a lot better about things. I think it will be a great way to get out and meet people and experience something I'll never get the opportunity to again if I pass is up. I'm sort of a shy and somewhat reserved person and I need something that will really get me adjusted to becoming outgoing. The key to being successful means being able to meet people and bond, so this should all in all be a good learning experience if they elect to let me do the program. Any pointers for the phone interview?

Disney is definitely the place to kind of help you break out of the shy shell for sure! You really have no choice but to be realy outgoing with ALOT of people. I was definitely pretty reserved before I went down on my first program and looking back on it now, I'm almost in disbelief that I wasn't always this outgoing. It just happens without even realizing it while working for the mouse

As for interview tips, well I can't really tell you what kind of questions they ask (I know there are a few people on this board that can help you with that for sure though!), but my best advice I think is to just be calm and be yourself. Answer honestly and completely, if you are asked a question that you really don't know don't be afraid to tell them that you're not sure, but be sure to give it your best guess. For some of their questions there really is no right or wrong answer as I recall. I'd take a look around in a few of the other threads here and I bet you can find out a ton more info than I remember, lol.

 

[eadavis]

Ill be 23, that's old in some circles...

 

[ndj1982]

Disney is definitely the place to kind of help you break out of the shy shell for sure! You really have no choice but to be realy outgoing with ALOT of people. I was definitely pretty reserved before I went down on my first program and looking back on it now, I'm almost in disbelief that I wasn't always this outgoing. It just happens without even realizing it while working for the mouse

As for interview tips, well I can't really tell you what kind of questions they ask (I know there are a few people on this board that can help you with that for sure though!), but my best advice I think is to just be calm and be yourself. Answer honestly and completely, if you are asked a question that you really don't know don't be afraid to tell them that you're not sure, but be sure to give it your best guess. For some of their questions there really is no right or wrong answer as I recall. I'd take a look around in a few of the other threads here and I bet you can find out a ton more info than I remember, lol.

Thanks, Ill be sure to check around.

 

[VTchina]

Ill be 23, that's old in some circles...

It better not be! I'll turn 24 while I'm down there.

 

[PidginPea]

-

 

[TINAS74]

I am 35, I will turn 36 while in the program. My roomate is also 36. We look like we are in high school and there is no way you would pick us out of the crowd as the old folks. Most likely unless you walk around saying 'Hi my name is (insert name here) I am 29' no one will know anyways. Just have fun and don't worry!

 

[pluto1979]

Do not worry about it at all. I did my first program in 1998 and to this day still work for the company! It is a great way to get into the company and such a great way to begin your career. Age does not matter especially when it comes to The Happiest Place On Earth" where kids of all ages can have fun together!

Best of luck to you!

 

[ndj1982]

Thanks for all your support. For any of you guys and girls, was it your first time ever far away from friends and family for an extended period of time? I come from a pretty close together family for the most part. I've always lived nearby friends and family so I see most of them at least 4-5 times weekly. It's definately gonna be an adjustmnent, but I hope that because you're probably active so much with stuff going on that it's easy to adjust to not being around the people that you spent most of your life around.

 

[SportsChick]

I'm 31 27 isn't too old

 

[Tide27]

I went down there when I was 28 and thought I was too old....until I met others.

My roommates ended up being 21, 24, me , and 34. The ladies across the hall were 23, 25, 31, and 62. I saw people of all ages down there and since you are all in the same enviroment, I dont think anyone felt out of place.

All of us had a great time, so I wouldnt worry about it at all.