Question for people who have been in the CP. Is it worth it?

[Jool-e]

I want to do the College Program to gain experience that will help me get a job in my field soon (I am a senior and my major is Journalism and TV/Film Production). As much as I would love it just because I get to live and work at Disney, I really want this to help me find a CAREER. I looked into the info on the program website, and to be honest it sounds like I would just be doing an hourly minimum wage job. The class descriptions sound like they are catered only to customer service and management. So my questions are:

Will the College Program really get me anywhere?

Do you really get to interact and network with people in your field (in my case producers or marketing/ad/multimedia professionals)?

Do you think the program will help me get a job in my field?

Do you know anyone that has actually gotten a Professional Internship after the College Program?

Thanks to anyone who can help with those questions. I really want to do this, but I don't want to waste my time just because I think it will be fun to work at Disney World.

 

[Crystal824]

I did the CP about 10 years ago. To answer your questions, it was one of the best, most fun, experiences of my life. I did it when I was junior and then for the summer between my junior and senior year of college.

Will it really get you anywhere as far as a career, I don't know. Probably not.

I did get a Professional Internship. However, I choose not to do it and go to law school instead. so, Yes, you can get a professional internship. It is probably more likely to advance your career, but I can't answer the questions about that internship.

 

[ktrex]

1. It might. I don't know specifically about your field, but if you snoop around and find something that might be somewhat relatable to your future plans, it could be. For example, any sort of guest service can help you interact with people down the line, and Disney guest service experience is seriously priceless. If you're creative, you can always spin this experience in your favor.

2. Probably not, for you. I'm a zoology major, and worked in DAK, so I was able to talk with quite a few animal programs people. But if you're vocal to your leaders, and you're in an area where you may have a chance to bump into people (shooting commercials, news crews, etc), you may. It probably wouldn't be anything substantial. But you REALLY don't ever know who you'll network with at Disney. It could be worth it.

3. I think the CP certainly couldn't hurt. Plus, it's always a great talking point, and Disney is a huge media presence. Again, you can ALWAYS spin things in your favor.

4. I know a girl who got a PI, she applied for it while on the program. I also have a friend of a friend who again went straight from her CP to a PI.



Hey, what better time than right out of college to "waste time" at Disney? I say go for it. You won't regret it.

 

[Frizzbird]

Do you really get to interact and network with people in your field (in my case producers or marketing/ad/multimedia professionals)?
I am a Comm major (Ad/Pr) so I am looking to network with the same people. The Marketing Exploration Series would allow you to interact with people from the marketing feild. Its kind of like a panel thing where they have leaders/people come in and talk its a perfect opportunity to network.

Do you think the program will help me get a job in my field?
I think if you work in a role with a lot of communication (a lot of the roles have this), network, and then try to get a PI I think the expiernce could definitly help you. There are also opportunities while you are there such as hosting Studio News that as a journalism student could look really good. It really is what you make it.

Do you know anyone that has actually gotten a Professional Internship after the College Program?
I do know of several people who have gotten PIs. Its by no means easy but its possible. I hope to get one after doing the fall program, since like you I am graduating this semester.

Will the College Program really get me anywhere?
That kind of depends. Its a great life expiernce and taking off a bit of time before going full on professional might be good. And there are opportunities you could put to good use while you are on the program taking that break. It really depends on where you want to go with your life and if you are willing to take some time off that may be more fun than productive. Not to say it wont be productive, but it may not be.
I know I'm not exactly certain where I want to go with my degree. So my plan is to do the CP, do a PI, and then hopefully stay with the company at least for a few years to get some good expierence in marketing communications and decide what I really want to do.

 

[Belle_91]

I'm a zoology major, and worked in DAK, so I was able to talk with quite a few animal programs people.

What did you do at Animal Kingdom? I thought I read somewhere where there was a program/job for CP kids where you could work with the animals-like little critters like snakes and hedgehogs or something. Maybe I'm just imagining things lol

I'm in an even worse boat then you Jool-e because I'm a history major, and I REALLY REALLY want to do the CP program and work as a character. How exactly I can spin that off to the people of Colonial Williamsburg...I have no idea lol.

However, doing the Disney College program from what I've heard:

1. Makes you stand out from others applying for your job
2. People/employers will be interested and want to know what you did down in WDW/DL for a semester. It's a good conversation starter.
3. I had a girl who had done the program tell me that, when you do the college program and list it on your resume people will generally make assumptions about you. However, they are typically good assumptions.
4. Also, Disney will put you on the front lines of dealing with customers/guests/the general public.
5. You work for a Fortune 100 company...which always looks good

 

[CorEeyore]

I am a Journalism Major as well. I don't know if the CP helped me as far as my resume goes ( I was a lifeguard) but I would never ever go back and do some journalism internship over it. The experience is amazing. I did get to network with people in the field I was pursuing. I am applying for the PI now and am waiting a year before law school. I will try to update on here with information if I get a PI.

 

[Jool-e]

Thanks this has all been really helpful. I have another related question.

I was looking at the job postings for Professional Internships and they all say you should be enrolled as a Junior or Senior in college. But like I said I am a senior and graduating in May. After I finish the CP, I am not planning on going back to school any time soon. So am I even allowed to apply for a PI?

 

[Rahel]

Thanks this has all been really helpful. I have another related question.

I was looking at the job postings for Professional Internships and they all say you should be enrolled as a Junior or Senior in college. But like I said I am a senior and graduating in May. After I finish the CP, I am not planning on going back to school any time soon. So am I even allowed to apply for a PI?

If you're graduating in May then this will be the last semester you can apply for a PI if you don't plan on taking anymore college classes. However, some of the Disney courses count as college credit so if you do one of those then you could possibly fall back on those to apply to do the PI the semester after your CP.

 

[Frizzbird]

Disney sees the College Program as being in college. So even if you don't take any CP classes you can apply for a PI immediatly after your CP and still be eligable.

 

[Dreamstuff]

Thanks this has all been really helpful. I have another related question.

I was looking at the job postings for Professional Internships and they all say you should be enrolled as a Junior or Senior in college. But like I said I am a senior and graduating in May. After I finish the CP, I am not planning on going back to school any time soon. So am I even allowed to apply for a PI?

If you apply for a PI while you're on the college program whether you take classes or not they'll consider you for a P.I.

How do I know? My friend did it and she wasn't taking classes and had graduated from college already.

 

[ktrex]

What did you do at Animal Kingdom? I thought I read somewhere where there was a program/job for CP kids where you could work with the animals-like little critters like snakes and hedgehogs or something. Maybe I'm just imagining things lol

I worked at safaris! It was awesome, and definitely looks good on a resume for me. Nothing like what you described for the CP, but you might be thinking of the Conservation Education Presenter PI, where you work at the Kids Discovery Stations. Still no animal handling, though. Disney is pretty strict on that.

 

[Belle_91]

I worked at safaris! It was awesome, and definitely looks good on a resume for me. Nothing like what you described for the CP, but you might be thinking of the Conservation Education Presenter PI, where you work at the Kids Discovery Stations. Still no animal handling, though. Disney is pretty strict on that.

I had a feeling it was all in my head lol.

Has anyone on here done the CP as a character? What is that like? If someone could tell me what fur was like-besides its hot-the I would be most grateful.

Thanks

 

[CorEeyore]

I had a friend who was a fur character. Chip and Dale. Thought it was really fun but you need to be able to deal with the fact that the inside of the head is going to smell. Other than that she didn't have any complaints and enjoyed it very much.

 

[Belle_91]

I had a friend who was a fur character. Chip and Dale. Thought it was really fun but you need to be able to deal with the fact that the inside of the head is going to smell. Other than that she didn't have any complaints and enjoyed it very much.

Can I ask what her major was?

 

[ktrex]

Actually, I just remembered that my roommate was friends with Mickey and she is a Journalism major. She went to Texas A&M, and I know she took a class while on the program, and I think she may have gotten credit for it as well.