College Program......???

[Jaseomac4585]

Hi guys! I'm hoping you could give me some advice!

I actually got my acceptance letter in the mail today saying that I have been accepted into Disney's College Program! I'm super excited!

However, I also applied for some Professional Internships....and have yet to hear anything from a recruiter regarding an interview....nothing!

I guess I need some advice: Would you recommend that I go on and do the college program, and then apply for a PI upon completing? Or hold on out to see if I get an interview for a PI. I'm actually graduating in December, so this is my last chance!

I want my career to be at Disney more than anything! I just have heard horror stories regarding the college program.....so I'm a little unsure as to what I should do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ZoeDisney]

Whatever you do, DON'T DECLINE!!!! You don't know how many ppl want to be in your position right now (including myself). I also strongly believe that you will regret it in the long run. There is this guy on youtube who was accepted as a regular college program participant and he accepted it. Then, he was able to decline afterward when he received an invitation to a PI. This is what he says on one of his videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZPW028I_kA This is the beginning of his vlog that are linked to others he has done. He hasn't updated in a while since he started the program. But either way, go ahead and call college recruiting anyway and ask them.

 

[dkmulder]

Accept the CP!! If you do get an invitation for a PI, they are totally understanding and you will be able to back out of the CP with no problems. And you are allowed to complete a CP and apply for PI's while down there. Plus, then you'll be able to interview in person, which always beats phone interviews, and completing a CP adds a major boost in your shots of getting a PI. Plus, you can network, network, NETWORK while you are down there, totally increasing your odds of getting the PI you want.

 

[Disney_Princess_89]

I say do the CP first and then apply for a PI- A lot of PI's are only open to CP alumni so your chances are better if you do a CP first!
But if you do get into a PI then you can just decline your CP and do the PI

I don't know what horror stories you may have heard but one thing i've learned is that you can't always trust what other people say- everyone is different!! Some people have a bad time on the CP but a lot more people have the times of their lives!! Form your own opinion!!! (ok i'll get off my soapbox now... )

Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK!!

 

[NotSoLittleAviator]

I too believe that you should ACCEPT! The way that I see it is this. This is your last shot to do the CP which is amazing. IDK why you would have heard horror stories about the CP. Most everyone has a great time. You always hear more about the bad stuff in any situation. Like they say, when someone has a good experience they may tell one or two people but when someone has a bad experience they will tell atleast 5! Getting back on track... If you decline the CP and don't get the PI then what are you going to do. Your chances of working for Disney would become alot more difficult. Do the CP you wont regret it!

 

[Jaseomac4585]

Thanks guys for all the positive feed back and advice! I guess I should go a little bit more into my situation.

I really want to get into the marketing/advertising aspect of Disney either with the parks, Disney Consumer Products, or even Disney Interactive. I know Disney Consumer Products offers internships, so would the CP even matter on the resume, or do you think in your all's opinions that a CP on a resume would help greatly no matter what position you apply for at disney whether it be at the parks or even in animation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dkmulder]

Well, that is certainly a loaded question that has many levels to it. Obviously, the PI would benefit the most, but really, and I can say this as I am also waiting on PI's, the odds are stacked against us of getting in.

As for whether or not the CP will really benefit your career goals, eh. Honestly, the work you will be doing will probably not tie directly into your career aspirations. I'm sure you've heard this before, but it is what you make of it. Just the same as all the negative stories you hear from former cp's. I, personally, loved my experience in hindsight. While I was down there I definately had a great time, but felt like a flunky for the company. And really, that is essentially all cp's are is cheap labor. I think too often people go down there thinking either they will advance so far in their careers from it or it will be one giant vacation. Just remember Disney expects you to work the assigned role you've been given, and build from there.

There are a lot of great networking opportunities available that I would suggest you take part in. Also, talk to your managers, they may be able to connect you with people in the field you want to go into. From what I remember, you can job shadow while you are down there as well. At least from that end, it will benefit your future, but certainly not like a PI would.

Also, having Disney on my resume has never gone unnoticed. Even though you will just be a flunky to the company, other businesses recognise the power of Disney and are always impressed when they see you were an intern for the company. They will undoubtably ask you about it, as all my prior interviewers wanted to talk in depth about it. And, the conversations never revolve around the type of work I did (I don't think they ever even asked, which I was in merchandise at Main Street East in MK), what they wanted to talk about was business strategies that pertained to what ever I was applying for. For example, one job was in retail so we talked a lot about Disney's customer service, and that so landed me the job (not that it was my career, but the interviewer ate it up, they all do). Another interview was for marketing and the interviewer was very into that end of it. You undoubtably learn a bit of all aspects of Disney just by working for them for the six months, so you will be able to talk answer questions from future employers.

Disney is such a huge name that it does not matter what you do, role wise, while you are down there; companies will see there name on your resume and know you have something to offer just from being apart of it. And like I said before, if you want to do a PI when you are done, NETWORK while you are there for the area you want to go into. A foot in the door always helps. Just don't get jaded by the company because of the slave labor thing, the benefits really do outweigh six months of working minimum wage.