Skip CP and go straight to work?

[graygables]

My original plan was to CP then PI (hopefully), then transition to FT. You know what they say about the best laid plans...

I've applied for some PIs that didn't have CP as a requirement, so now I wait. I was going to use the CP as a backup plan, but now I'm thinking if a PI doesn't come through, maybe I should just go to work regular, FT b/c then at least I'd be eligible to interview and promote where on the CP I couldn't do that.

I have my BA and am doing my Master's, plus I'm about as non-traditional as they come.

thoughts from BTDT CPers? What are the benefits of the CP over going to work at WDW FT?

 

[DisHornFan]

If you just want to be FT for awhile then do something else, the CP doesn't really have any advantages.

However....

If you want to go FT and hope to get promoted and have a future with the company then the doing the PI is pretty much one of the best ways to do that. Personally, I think you have a much better chance of getting a PI after you've done the CP (recommendations from your leaders go a long way, Disney puts BIG value on the input from within their company), but this is just based on my own observations. Almost all of my managers at my location (MK Attractions) and their bosses had done the CP and the PI. If you want to move up in the company, the PI is one of the best ways to do it.

Basically, if you just go FT and hope to move up, its going to take you a lot longer to get where you want to go. If you do the CP then get a PI, it seems to me that its pretty much a fast track for your career.

But remember, this is just from my observations in Attractions.

Maybe you'll get the PI you already applied for and none of this will matter

 

[deadtoaster2]

Well one of the main ones is the housing. If that really isnt a large breaker for you then you would probably be better off simply going FT right off the bat.

 

[csaribay]

For your particular situation, skipping the College Program and pursuing full-time employment may be more viable. Do keep in mind that applying for and obtaining positions are not dependent on your status with the company (so a CP could land a full time position and transfer, even though they would otherwise be contractually obligated to finish their program), unless you're applying for an internally posted position.

If I remember correctly, you were looking to get into operations management, and if that's still the case, going F/T and then pursuing a Leadership Casting Call (internal casting for salaried management positions; Cast Members are made eligible after a period of service and with the support of their direct leaders) may be something that interests you.

 

[americangeiko]

Almost all the major managers I met had done the CP, my trainer did the CP, and we had one PI as our manager when I did my CP.

Disney predominantely hires internally, and from what I've heard, will take someone with CP experience for a PI/FT position, before someone whom they've never worked with before.

It sounds weird, but CP is demanding, and they often lose about half the people that go into it. So those that graduate are considered to be "worthy" of better opportunities because the company knows that their dedicated and won't go anywhere.

Where as, an outside applicant could accept a position, and never show up.

Again, as others have said, it's also a matter of what your position is. I wouldn't recommend a married couple do the CP unless they were *hardcore* Disney nuts as they wouldn't even be allowed to room together. The same can be said for those that have kids, or aren't under 28 yrs old. However, during my CP, I met people who were all of these things and did just fine.

As far as the PIs go, they're a lot more flexible, profitable, and there's a much greater opportunity to receive a good FT position when you've completed one.

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

Speaking as someone who was FT and didn't do CP I see no reason to do it if you just want to move up in the company. The CP certainly is not more demanding than working at Disney FT! But I don't know anything about CP helping you move up in the company... I do know that as a FT CM you have a great chance of moving up based on your time at Disney and your performance though.

 

[khancock]

... they often lose about half the people that go into it.

this isn't an accurate statement. If it were true, they would easily be able to offer a Summer program to non CP alumni. If half of the Spring Advantage participants left, then they would have all of that open space until the Fall people arrived in August (Fall people move into apts vacated by Spring Advantage).

I wouldn't recommend a married couple do the CP unless they were *hardcore* Disney nuts as they wouldn't even be allowed to room together.

this isn't accurate either. they do make special accomodations for married couples. the couple both has to be accepted onto the program. i knew a couple from BYU who lived together with another couple in a 2BR.