Career Start vs. College Program

[mickey'sbud]

Are there any advantages of one program over the other? Are participants from one program to another treated any different? thanks

 

[csaribay]

The two programs are very similar. Obviously the Disney CareerStart Program targets recently-graduated high school students, while the Disney College Program caters to students in college who have completed at least one semester.

Some of the key differences between the two programs:

• Program Seasons - The College Program offers a wide-variety of program seasons (Spring, Spring Adv., Spring Adv. Quarter, Fall, Fall Adv., Fall Adv. Quarter) while the CareerStart Program only offers two program seasons (Spring [a seven month program] and Fall [a five month program]). The CareerStart Program usually only offers one set of arrival and departure dates per season, while the College Program often has numerous date combinations for each season.
• Roles - The CareerStart Program offers less variety in the number of roles available to apply for (seven versus nineteen plus culinary for the College Program). A couple key roles that the College Program offers exclusively includes Entertainment, Character Attendant, Hospitality, BBB and Trasportation.
• Housing - As far as I know, Disney still houses CareerStart participants together. This is not really a big thing, but it's something to note. CareerStart participants could be housed at any one of the domestic complexes (Vista Way, Chatham Square and the new Patterson Court).
• Education - CareerStart Program participants can enroll in most College Program courses (including ACE collegiate courses and Exploration Series), but are not able to enroll in Professional Development Studies as they are college-major specific. The Program used to have a mandatory education series, but I was told that it was discontinued as of this spring; so all classes are now optional (just like the College Program).

Those are the main differences. Both programs offer an exciting, one-of-a-kind opportunity to work, live and learn at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you're looking to look for Disney in the future, the program may give you some competitive advantage, depending how hard you work and how much you network while down in Florida.

 

[mickey'sbud]

Do you know if your GPA is a factor in selection for either program?

 

[csaribay]

Do you know if your GPA is a factor in selection for either program?

The College Program requires a 2.0 GPA plus whatever your college's requirements are. The CareerStart Program doesn't carry GPA requirement, but requires a personal recommendation from someone who can vouch for you as a strong worker (such as a teacher or a manager).