How much will the disney college program help me?

[monica245]

I'm currently a junior dual majoring in comp sci and economics. I love disney, and want to do the disney college program next fall, but my parents asked me to really think about giving a semester up to do this. I have no plan on being an imagineer when I grow up (not an engineering student anyways), and don't see how I can actually work at disney while using my degrees. I will have a summer internship at another company (directly related to both my majors). If things go well there, my employer told me he would have me come in during the fall/spring of my senior year (fall is when I'm maybe in disney) and then hire me directly from college. It's a great starting job, if I'm hired. My parents fear I'm giving up something secure for a "fantasy". I want to do the program, but not at the risk of being unemployed after college.

any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[darthspielberg]

in some cases, the program isn't right for the way people's college career goes. I thought it wouldn't be a fit for me, since I didn't get summer breaks, I went all the way through to get a four year degree in three years flat. I then realized that I had nothing lined up after school, so doing the DCP right after graduation was actually feasible, so I signed up.

In your case, you say that you might have this chance to work where you are interning after you graduate. That's a great thing, so perhaps Disney isn't in the cards?

On the upside, it's still a pretty great place to vacation

 

[katelynnstout]

I have to agree that sometimes, the program just isn't for everyone. When I applied for the Spring 2013 program, I was in the same situation as you. I was a Psychology major, only a semester away from getting my degree. Taking the semester to do the program would mean putting off getting my degree. My dad wasn't thrilled and didn't see how Disney would help me at all educationally.

And really, it didn't. There isn't really a place for a Psychology major at Disney. BUT I am extremely glad I did the program and wish I had done it earlier. A job at Disney was always my dream job, even if it had been in custodial. Getting the chance to work there and experience it meant more to me than just about anything. Of course it didn't aid in my education, but it looks good on my resume and it actually encouraged me to change my major and direction in life.

With that said, now may not be the right time for you. With an internship in your field set up with potential hire afterwards, I would definitely take that route. The college program will not go anywhere. If it doesn't work out, Disney will be there as a backup.

 

[JillyBean1899]

As long as you work hard and do your job properly, the DCP can't really *HURT* you. You mentioned that you will have a summer internship and if "all goes well" you'll be back for the fall. But what if it *DOESN'T* go well? Keeping the DCP in your realm of possibilities would be a good idea. Backup plans are always good to have.

And who knows, you might end up making connections while you're there, or decide that some aspect of the park / hotel / resort operations interests you more than you thought it would. And depending on what aspect of computer science you're focusing on, you might actually be able to apply that to a job at Disney, given the insane number of computers that run that park.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

There are a LOT of roles at Disney that could tie in to a CompSci or Econ major. Granted, you wouldn't be in any of them as a CP, but it might be a chance to network and meet someone that might be able to help with your chosen career path.

Looking at our internal job site right now, using the search criteria: Full Time, Florida, and in one of the following areas: Business Development/Planning (Econ), Digital/Interactive Media (CompSci), Finance/Accounting (Econ), and Technology/Information Technology (CompSci), I found 30+ results. (Over 200 when I searched those same categories, all states)

 

[monica245]

There are a LOT of roles at Disney that could tie in to a CompSci or Econ major. Granted, you wouldn't be in any of them as a CP, but it might be a chance to network and meet someone that might be able to help with your chosen career path.

Looking at our internal job site right now, using the search criteria: Full Time, Florida, and in one of the following areas: Business Development/Planning (Econ), Digital/Interactive Media (CompSci), Finance/Accounting (Econ), and Technology/Information Technology (CompSci), I found 30+ results. (Over 200 when I searched those same categories, all states)

that's cool that disney has jobs for people in cs or econ. I'm looking for a way to combine the degrees, which disney (being primarily an entertainment company) can't really offer me. The jobs I want are mostly in the finance industry and in some high end tech companies. I'm not really looking at this as a major step towards my career goals (I got offered a place in quick service. There's only so much a job like that can help me), but rather something to do to expand my knowledge of my favorite place, Disney! A hobby really. I'm just wondering how much should I let my personal wants come in before professional goals.

anyway, I've emailed my upcoming boss about this. He should reply by Monday. There's a good chance that even if I take off for the fall, it won't matter much.

 

[JillyBean1899]

I'm just wondering how much should I let my personal wants come in before professional goals.

Would taking the Disney CP position destroy your career goals? Being young is the perfect time to take chances and see "what if?". You never know until you try. I wouldn't turn down a career job offer to participate on the CP, but if you don't end up with the internship job, I'd say go for it. It's only for a few months, it's not a multi-year commitment or something.