My son just got into the Career Start Program!!!

[wdwscout]

I get to be the mom of a Cast Member!

Career Start is just like the College Program, but for kids not currently in college when they apply. Once they get there- they are all part of the same group, live in the same apartments, work many of the same roles.

My son just got accepted as a life guard for the Fall 2010. He reports on 9-1-10 and will be there until 1-14-11.
He gets to be there for Food & Wine, Not So Scary, MVMCP, the holidays and the marathon! How cool is that??

And, we will get to visit him when we are down for pre & post PCC2.0.

I am BEYOND thrilled.

 

[disadventurer]

Congrats to your son, and, of course, to the proud MOM of the new CM!!

Have a few questions. Is he planning on attending college after this ends? Did he just apply or was it part of a work study? How does one go about this?

Thanks! Can't wait to hear how it all came about!!

 

[exwdwcm]

that is awesome- congrats to him (and you!)

 

[Julie*]

That is so cool. I did the college program 19 years ago and it was one of the best times of my life!

 

[Cyrano]

Congratulations to your DS

 

[DVCsince02]

Woot!

 

[catycatcat4]

Cool

 

[wdwscout]

Congrats to your son, and, of course, to the proud MOM of the new CM!!

Have a few questions. Is he planning on attending college after this ends? Did he just apply or was it part of a work study? How does one go about this?

Thanks! Can't wait to hear how it all came about!!

Thanks!

The Career Start program is for young people who are within 4 years of graduating from high school. It is for the kids not yet decided on what to do with their lives.
My son graduated from HS in 2008, went to 1 year of college for photography and decided that wasn't the direction he wanted to go in- but he didn't have a better plan yet either. So DH & I let him have a 1 year vacation from school. (a much cheaper option than college tuition! )
Career Start is perfect for him. It may help him figure out what to do later- college? or something else? The program is not connected to any college, and there is no committment to attend college when you finish at WDW.
A good number of the kids will be coming right out of HS from what I can tell. And another good percentage will have been out a year or so. Some will have had some college, others not.
Once they get there- they live in the same place as the regular College Program kids, do the same types of jobs and are really all referred to as College Program.

 

[EPCOT66bye]

Congratulations! I was in the original Career Start Program back in 1989 when they were blitz hiring for GF, Studios, PI, etc. I stayed for over 9 years!!

Tell your son to meet people from all different jobs. He'll never know when someone might be able to help him get a promotion.

 

[jewjubean]

I'm here now doing it and its a blast! He will have a great time!

 

[Kimberle]

Congratulations!

 

[pal-mickey]

Great news Linda! Sounds like a great opportunity!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Thanks!

The Career Start program is for young people who are within 4 years of graduating from high school. It is for the kids not yet decided on what to do with their lives.
My son graduated from HS in 2008, went to 1 year of college for photography and decided that wasn't the direction he wanted to go in- but he didn't have a better plan yet either. So DH & I let him have a 1 year vacation from school. (a much cheaper option than college tuition! )
Career Start is perfect for him. It may help him figure out what to do later- college? or something else? The program is not connected to any college, and there is no committment to attend college when you finish at WDW.
A good number of the kids will be coming right out of HS from what I can tell. And another good percentage will have been out a year or so. Some will have had some college, others not.
Once they get there- they live in the same place as the regular College Program kids, do the same types of jobs and are really all referred to as College Program.

That sounds great! I didn't know there was a program like this. I thought college attendence was mandatory. I am trying to keep my eyes a nd ears open for options like this. My DS only 12 now struggles in school. Smart kid just has LD issues. You kow learns in a different way than is taught at school. He is so hands on real life based as a learner. It would be great if he could get into this program maybe at AK. Do you know if there are any positions open for these kids to work in the animal programs? I think he is going to need experience more than grades to secure himself a job working with wildlife etc.

 

[DISNUT21]

Congrats to you and your son!! I always wanted to participate in the College Program, however, they never came to my school . Hope he has a great time!

 

[wdwscout]

That sounds great! I didn't know there was a program like this. I thought college attendence was mandatory. I am trying to keep my eyes a nd ears open for options like this. My DS only 12 now struggles in school. Smart kid just has LD issues. You kow learns in a different way than is taught at school. He is so hands on real life based as a learner. It would be great if he could get into this program maybe at AK. Do you know if there are any positions open for these kids to work in the animal programs? I think he is going to need experience more than grades to secure himself a job working with wildlife etc.

My son has ADD and always had difficulty "connecting" in class. But when he is doing something he enjoys, he is super focused and hard working. So this is great for those hands on kids.
The roles are limited though. Food service (quick serve and full serve), merchandise, attractions, custodial, costuming and lifeguard. Those were the only choices for CS. The regular College Program has more offerings, although I don't think they offer animal related roles for them either.

Congrats to you and your son!! I always wanted to participate in the College Program, however, they never came to my school . Hope he has a great time!

You know, they don't have to come to your school for you to apply.
Anyone in any college can apply. If they don't come to your campus, you can to the presentation online. I don't know if it's too late for you- but hopefully someone else may benefit from knowing this.

 

[D1sneymum]

Is there an age limit to apply? My son is 9th grade and would like to look into this as well. I already get emails from the college one and what college they'll be at. I know IRS early but to me it's never too early to look into the future!

 

[rtobe]

Congrats to you and your son! great news

 

[exwdwcm]

Thanks!

The Career Start program is for young people who are within 4 years of graduating from high school. It is for the kids not yet decided on what to do with their lives.
My son graduated from HS in 2008, went to 1 year of college for photography and decided that wasn't the direction he wanted to go in- but he didn't have a better plan yet either. So DH & I let him have a 1 year vacation from school. (a much cheaper option than college tuition! )
Career Start is perfect for him. It may help him figure out what to do later- college? or something else? The program is not connected to any college, and there is no committment to attend college when you finish at WDW.
A good number of the kids will be coming right out of HS from what I can tell. And another good percentage will have been out a year or so. Some will have had some college, others not.
Once they get there- they live in the same place as the regular College Program kids, do the same types of jobs and are really all referred to as College Program.

interesting, i don't think they offered this back when i did the college program in 96. however, i think it is great and the fact that they are interspersed with the college kids could be good too- maybe getting some feedback on how those kids like college, what they are studying etc. good luck!!! sounds like a great program.

 

[jewjubean]

The college board on the DIS has a wonderful group of people who have bene doing program's and who are currently applying for internships right now. So dont hesitate to go and ask a few questions!

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Congrats for your son!!!