My son is only a sophomore in high school, but he would like to do career start or the college program. He really doesn't know what he wants to do with his life yet so I thought the career start might be good for him. Is there a big difference between the two? He said he thinks he would like to do merchandise or ride attendant. Do the career start people get on the bottom of the list for those? He also would like to do character attendant, but I noticed that was just for the college program. He also would enjoy being a character, but that sounds very competetive.
The College Program and CareerStart program are functionally equivalent programs, with a reduction in the types of roles available for the latter (as you've already seen & mentioned). Unfortunately the two entertainment roles (performer and attendant) are not available on the CareerStart program, at least not initially (these may be an option if your son chooses to extend his program into another season). CareerStart candidates are not "lumped at the bottom", but are generally considered in the same pool for available roles as the College Program.
Can you do this if you are in any college like a community college or are their only certain colleges that have this.
Any school that will recognize that he is participating in the Disney College Program will work. Most community colleges are fine. The Disney CareerStart program doesn't require any affiliation with a post-secondary institution, instead requiring successful graduation from high-school within the last 48 months.
It sounds like everyone here really loves the program, but are there any horror stories?
While most on this board have had a great time, it's not for everyone. Of course you can't know until you go, so he'd have to try it out and give it a whirl for himself. The thing that helps is remembering that this is a real work experience that can be challenging, and it may include work long hours. A lot of people who are dissatisfied with the programs often come down with the wrong expectations (thinking that there won't be that much work).
What kinds of questions are on the application? He may not have work experience, but he is an honor student and will hopefully be an Eagle Scout. I don't want him to look forward to this for two years and be rejected.
You can get a copy of the application at
wdwcareerstart.com. The questions are pretty basic, although for the CareerStart program, I do believe there's a short question section (e.g. Why do you want to participate/What do you anticipate to gain out of the experience?). I also believe that a recommendation is required as well. Academics, generally speaking, only have a very limited impact on selection: most of the focus is put on a candidate's phone interview, and how well that candidate performs during the interview. It is a selective internship program, and while not all who apply will be accepted, most who fit the description of a Disney Cast Member (friendly, knowledgeable [in the sense that they're willing to go through the steps of conflict resolution, previous parks experience is not necessary], approachable) will be offered a roles.
And for the biggy. What type of people do these? Unfortunately my son is a little different making him a loner and sometimes a victim of bullying. He also has Tourette's syndrome which causes teasing as well. I am hoping that something like this might "bring him out" since he should have a lot of company that loves Disney. One of his biggest mistakes in middle school was listing all Disney movies as his faborite movies.
Well, I think it's fair to say that the programs attracts all walks of life. It's almost like high-school in some regard- it's a varied experience for sure. What I will say is that the majority of people are very friendly however, and to go along with that; most seem extroverted. Anyone who would seem to be the "bully-type" probably doesn't make it far in the recruiting process.
I should also mention that people have different motivations for this program. While yes, there are some people who really love Disney, far and away the bulk of people can be described as only have an interest in Disney, but are more interested in the unique aspects of the program (it's a semester off from school [sometimes with credit], a chance to get a foot in the door with Disney, a chance to meet friends for a lifetime, etc).
As long as your son keeps an open mind, he'll be fine. He'll probably benefit greatly from the environment since there are so many extroverted people and experiences- which may help him open up more.
Chris this is great! Thanks......
also, when will you be updating your blog for this week?
I've been pretty busy, but probably sometime mid-week.
We have no idea why they would not have been accepted! Is there anything we can do to find out why they wouldn't have selected him? He was really banking on this opportunity and he applied early!
