Got into the wdw college program...should I accept

[toefungus]

I just found out that I got into the wdw college program today (woo hoo!) But I'm having trouble deciding on what I should do. At my college (Drexel University) we have three 6 month internships where we go out and get a job in our field

I don't know if it would be worth spending one at disney were I would work operations (I'm an information sytems major). They keep saying that Disney looks so good on a resume, is that really true? Also the pay is pretty slim ($6/hour), I could be making double that if I got a job up here. Has anyone done the college program and regretted it? I have to decide in two weeks, what should I do?????

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have always been impressed with the young people in the college Program and would whole-heartedly recommend it to any young person who has the desire. And yes, the Disney name would be a plus on future resumes. It is a once in a lifetime event, I say go for it, enjoy.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Ive done the CP thing and loved it- and I know it helped me get my current job


-em

 

[Otimon]

Absolutely give the College Program a try. It'll be a wonderful experience for you! Have never once heard any of the young people in the Program whom I work with say they wish they hadn't done it.

Best wishes.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'd say go for it, ToeFungus!!

 

[Rajah]

Um, I think you're asking the wrong people. LOL!!

Really, though -- once you finish college, you'll have the rest of your life in your chosen field(s) (plural because it may change ). Chances are, you won't end up with a chance to go back to Disney. Since you get 2 more internships, I'd go for the Disney one and have fun with it.

 

[MICKEY88]

my daughter did the college program twice ,7 months each time, and she loved it, made lot's of great friends from all over the USA, is still in touch with many of them and is currently working towards moving to Florida to work for Disney, ,,from what she told me,,most kids love the program..the few who don't seem like the kind of people who would find fault with anything,,

it definitely looks great on a resume, most fortune 500 companies
know that Disney trains there people well....if you have any questions feel free to PM me, and I'll either get the answers from her, or see if I can connect the 2 of you, so she can answer directly...

 

[Dancind]

We have a family friend from here in NM that did it, and didn't enjoy it. In fact, she couldn't wait to get back home. She was accepted into the program late, and wound up working in counter service, where she had long and late hours. (MK at Casey's Corner, always open for E-night etc.) It also seemed that her co-workers inlcuded several older folks that were not very nice, and she was never able to get anyone to switch schedules with her when she had family in town, etc. But she had friends that really enjoyed the program. They weren't working in counter service! Diana

 

[UncleKyle]

As a former WDW CPer I would highly recommend you accept. It was the greatest time I've ever had in my life. I wouldn't trade those memories for the world. And really there is nothing better than having Disney on a resume. Every interview I've had always starts with "So you worked at Disney World, cool, tell me about that" I've gotten jobs because of Disney on my resume. Hope you accept it and if you do have fun!

 

[Micca]

DD did it and loved it. In fact, she has never come back There's a lot of good advice in the above posts. If you dislike WDW and the whole Disney concept, it's not for you. Otherwise...

 

[DMickey28]

asking the wrong group of people.

I was a hospitaltiy major and worked in a hotel at the front desk with other college students. I loved it... I wish I could do it agian.... My love for Disney started with the CP
Do it, if it's not for you you only wasted a semester and you probally would have made friends and it WILL look good on the resume... trust me.... and if you are the type of person that could, you leave if you don't like it. I don't mean that as a negative on leaving that way I just some people wouldn't be able to

 

[IloveDMB]

I would definetly do it. I got accepted and my mom talked me out of going. I've regretted it ever since. My friend went and had the greatest time. I'm graduating soon so I won't even have another chance.

 

[poohbear2]

I wish I knew about this when I was in college! You should go for it . The experience will be one you probably won't get later on in life and you won't be saying to yourself...I should have done it... when you are 40. Now if they had a program for teachers for year long sabaticals....

 

[SoonerKate]

I would absolutely do it! I loved my college program -- it wasn't the best day-to-day, but overall it was the best semester I've had in college.

You'll also find that there will be tons of advanced internships you'll be qualified for after completing a CP. You might want to visit the boards on my CP website (link in my sig) and talk to Tim Larkin -- he's an ex-CP who is now doing MIS and computer programming for ESPN and loves it. It is great to have Disney on your resume, plus the company is so big (Disney, ABC, ESPN, Miramax...) that there'll undoubtedly be a place for you somewhere, if you ever decide that's the direction you want to go.

If you're really unsure, talk to your campus reps or give your recruiter a call.

 

[toefungus]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'm still considering it and you guys are making it sound like a easy decision. What to do.....

 

[SoonerKate]

How are things going? Did you decide to accept?

 

[HoneyPooh]

My neice goes to West Chester and just found out she got in last week. When she interviewed they asked if there were any times she could not go. Because she is not on scholarship she said she couldn't do the Spring Advantage because she needs to come home to South Jersey and make big bucks waitressing for the summer. Well, they offered her the Spring Advantage! She was heartbroken because they said once you're accepted you can't change and she'll have to wait until next year now. She was very upset and crying. We couldn't figure out why they bothered to ask if there was a time you couldn't come when they weren't going to take heed of it. Anyway, she'll try again next year and hope for a better outcome. If you can go, I would say go, the opportunity sounds wonderful, wish I could go but I'm afraid I'm a bit to old .

 

[princessariel]

Also wondering if you have decided to accept or not.

Our DS did the CP and loved it! He went twice, then on Spring Break each year he went down and worked. This kept his employment status open. Now he and his wife have moved to Orlando and both work at Disney. They love it! And Disney uses his seniority date from when he was in the CP. 1999.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

As a former CP I would say go for it. I worked in Quick Service at Cosmic Ray's which was the busiest place but I had a wonderful time. I made some wonderful friends and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. If I could go back I would go back. Also to an above poster, even if she got accepted into only spring or fall program she would've still missed the begining of June for spring and end of august for fall program. Both advantage programs run through the summer. I wish her luck in getting re-accepted. Did she talk to her recruiter about the problem?

 

[HoneyPooh]

She told me she spoke to someone but didn't say if it was the recruiter. They told her she would have to wait until next year and there would be a good chance she would be accepted again. I felt really bad for her she was SO excited to be accepted and called me all excited and about three hours later she phoned again crying her heart out. It would be okay for her to miss maybe a month of summer but any more than that and she wouldn't be able to afford anything but tuition. To make $6 an hour minus housing at WDW when she can make $100 or more a day waitressing here is a no brainer if she wants to pay her car insurance (we ARE in NJ ) and eat. I just felt terrible for her. Oh well, there's next year.