DCP vs Disney Internships...

[goofy4tink]

Quick question for those of you who have been down this road. My dd, now 20 and a sophomore in college, wants to do the CP right after she graduates. She would apple the winter of her senior year and hopefully start in September.
But...a few people have told me that because she will actually be a college graduate, she should also look into an internship, as well as the CP.
Any thoughts on that? I want to be able to give her accurate info when she asks me (she knows I check this board out for good info!!)
What types of internships are available? Just curious.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[eadavis]

Quick question for those of you who have been down this road. My dd, now 20 and a sophomore in college, wants to do the CP right after she graduates. She would apple the winter of her senior year and hopefully start in September.
But...a few people have told me that because she will actually be a college graduate, she should also look into an internship, as well as the CP.
Any thoughts on that? I want to be able to give her accurate info when she asks me (she knows I check this board out for good info!!)
What types of internships are available? Just curious.
Thanks for any advice.

Professional Internships (PI) are very competitive. With the exception of a few "Alumni Only" opportunities, completing a College Program (CP) isn't a requirement for becoming a Professional Intern (though recommended). As far as roles available, www.disneyinterns.com has a more thorough breakdown of what is available.

Professional Interns can be placed anywhere throughout the Walt Disney Company. The majority of which though are within Disney Parks & Resorts. There are Management Internships which place you in leadership positions within Parks and Resort operations (Park Operations, Food & Beverage, Resorts, Etc.). There are other opportunities with Marketing, Strategy, Merchandise, Finance, Human Resources, etc. as well.

When it comes to applying, I'd apply for both CP and PI due to the competitiveness of PI's. If you are accepted for a CP, you can extend into a PI as well, that's exactly what I did.

 

[goofy4tink]

Professional Internships (PI) are very competitive. With the exception of a few "Alumni Only" opportunities, completing a College Program (CP) isn't a requirement for becoming a Professional Intern (though recommended). As far as roles available, www.disneyinterns.com has a more thorough breakdown of what is available.

Professional Interns can be placed anywhere throughout the Walt Disney Company. The majority of which though are within Disney Parks & Resorts. There are Management Internships which place you in leadership positions within Parks and Resort operations (Park Operations, Food & Beverage, Resorts, Etc.). There are other opportunities with Marketing, Strategy, Merchandise, Finance, Human Resources, etc. as well.

When it comes to applying, I'd apply for both CP and PI due to the competitiveness of PI's. If you are accepted for a CP, you can extend into a PI as well, that's exactly what I did.

Thanks...that's what I thought she should do. Someone told me that she should just go for a PI because she would get a better spot. With the CP, she could end up making popcorn! But, she would be okay with that. She fully realizes that she will be a minion for awhile!!! Sort of slave labor. She knows what she would be getting into but really wants to do it.

 

[eadavis]

Thanks...that's what I thought she should do. Someone told me that she should just go for a PI because she would get a better spot. With the CP, she could end up making popcorn! But, she would be okay with that. She fully realizes that she will be a minion for awhile!!! Sort of slave labor. She knows what she would be getting into but really wants to do it.

Myself and many other CP alumni will tell you it is so much more than making popcorn, or other laborious tasks. Being a "minion" opens so many doors, you have to pay your dues. Disney likes to promote from within, just about every executive in our Parks and Resorts were hourly Cast Members at one point. The VP of Epcot, VP of Magic Kingdom, President of WDW, GM of the Boardwalk, and GM of Animal Kingdom Lodge are among many that come to mind. Sure it's menial now, but it will pay off down the road.

As I mentioned in my PP, Professional Internships don't come easy, most go to recent college grads with solid prior experience in their field. Not to mention those in the workforce returning to college and taking on internship opportunities.

 

[goofy4tink]

Myself and many other CP alumni will tell you it is so much more than making popcorn, or other laborious tasks. Being a "minion" opens so many doors, you have to pay your dues. Disney likes to promote from within, just about every executive in our Parks and Resorts were hourly Cast Members at one point. The VP of Epcot, VP of Magic Kingdom, President of WDW, GM of the Boardwalk, and GM of Animal Kingdom Lodge are among many that come to mind. Sure it's menial now, but it will pay off down the road.

As I mentioned in my PP, Professional Internships don't come easy, most go to recent college grads with solid prior experience in their field. Not to mention those in the workforce returning to college and taking on internship opportunities.

Oh, she knows this! Although she is a theatre major, she knows she isn't going to Broadway, way too tall. She wants to work for Disney, in just about any capacity. She has said that if she doesn't get into the CP, she'll just to there and get a job. We both realize its all about paying your dues, and that Disney offers some great opportunities. So, here's hoping.