Sophie's Choice

[kristytru]

Given the choice, would you take a job at WDW or go through the Disney College Program first and then apply for a job?

 

[Lyanne and Stitch]

I would do the DCP first.

Even though the CP wont count for seniority later on, there's so many benefits to being a CP, like housing, transportation, classes, events, etc.

Housing and transportation were big factors for me when choosing to apply this time since I don't have a car at the moment nor am I made of money.

Also, the CP it's a great way to get your foot in the door. If you make the most out of the experience, it will probably be a little easier to get another job with the company later on.

 

[Cais]

Oh I would do the job in a heartbeat. Even while part time you're building seniority and benefits. Cp there's no guarantee you'll even have a job at the end. And none of your cp time counts for anything. Given the option I wholeheartedly recommend not doing a CP.

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[lego606]

From what I know CP time does count, just not for the year pins?

 

[Lyanne and Stitch]

From what I know CP time does count, just not for the year pins?

From what I've seen, it doesn't.
It won't count for the the year pins and therefore it means your CP hire date wont count as your seniority date if you end up having a full time job.
(If I'm wrong, someone let me know!)

The way I see it: it counts as experience with the company.

You get paid less but you have guaranteed hours every week and a place to live.
If you only have a part time job at WDW and you have to pay rent (and everything else), you'll probably have a bit of a tough time making ends meet.

 

[surferdude]

Given the choice, would you take a job at WDW or go through the Disney College Program first and then apply for a job?

If you are offered the job, and you are confident you know how to do it or that you will be fully trained (depending on the type of job, they could expect you to have previous job experience/knowledge) then I would take the job. There is no reason to do the CP other than getting a foot in the door or experience (mainly if you feel nervous about the job and want to "test the waters").

If you are wondering which to apply for, I would say apply for both. If you do not get the job there is always the CP and disney would understand you turning down the CP for a job within the company.

 

[Berlioz70]

Depends on what you want...

I did the CP first because I wanted to test Disney before up and fully moving there. If you already know you want to work at Disney long term, then I'd go straight for a job and skip the CP.

Some roles are easier to get as a CP, so if you want a highly competitive role going through the CP will give you a slight advantage over hanging out on a waiting list.

However, the faster you get yourself FT and statused, you'll start accruing senority and will be able to transfer to a highly competitive job in a FT capacity.

Lots to think about - everyone does the CP for different reasons.

 

[kristytru]

Let me add a few more details. My son wants to work in Disney Imagineering, but his HS grades are not good. He's 18. I feel he should attend college first and then apply to DCP...and maybe trying to get a job down there full time next summer. He was called for an in-person interview as a monorail driver which means he would be living in FL (first time on his own) and trying to live off his salary of $8.75 per hour to start. I thought if he wanted to get into "higher level" jobs, he would do better with at least an associate's degree in his pocket....thoughts?

 

[Wishes Count]

He will need at least a bachelors degree to get any type of job in engineering. Maybe even a Masters. If he wants to work Part Time at Disney while going to school, that's fine and is a good way to start with the company. He can apply for professional internships in engineering his junior and senior years which will give him a better experience than the CP will.

 

[PrincessKida]

Deleted

 

[progroupie]

Hmm, for one thing I would never dream of comparing the experience to a book and movie about the holocauste. Such bad taste.

 

[surferdude]

Let me add a few more details. My son wants to work in Disney Imagineering, but his HS grades are not good. He's 18. I feel he should attend college first and then apply to DCP...and maybe trying to get a job down there full time next summer. He was called for an in-person interview as a monorail driver which means he would be living in FL (first time on his own) and trying to live off his salary of $8.75 per hour to start. I thought if he wanted to get into "higher level" jobs, he would do better with at least an associate's degree in his pocket....thoughts?

Well to do the CP you have to be in college (I thought?)... But if his ultimate plan is to be an engineer he should go to college for a Bachelors or Masters min. Also it isnt easy, so doing the CP might be tough. I would recommend doing what a few people her are doing, which is apply during your last semester at college so that you do the CP after you graduate but to also apply for the PI's and use the CP as a back up.

A word of advice though, an engineering degree requires you to take a lot of high level math. Do not let this scare you away though. The math classes are really to do just that, its used to weed people out. It gets rid of those that dont care enough to stick with it (I personally know 4-6 engineers in all different fields from aerospace to industrial and they have all told me this while I was going through it). Best of luck to you and your son!

 

[Berlioz70]

My son wants to work in Disney Imagineering...

Imagineering is a whole different ball game - it's not a role CMs are traditionally "promoted" into.

Imgineers have a specialty field (art, design, engineering, etc). They establish a name for themselves outside of Disney. You rarely see job postings for just a regular Imgineer - these are people who are head hunted because of their amazing work throughout the industry. Having Disney experience is certainly a plus, but that's not what's going to get him to his goal.

He may find this interesting: How do I become an Imagineer?

 

[PrincessKida]

Deleted

 

[dairylives]

It's nearly impossible to get an engineering job in todays world with a BS and your professional engineering license.

This is greatly exaggerated. Greatly.

 

[PrincessKida]

Deleted

 

[dairylives]

In New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania if you work for a public company you can not legally have the word "Engineer" in your job title without a degree and, if working for the state, a PE. The word engineer also separates $25,000-$40,000 a year between those jobs and inhibits any sort of promotions. I'd imagine it's like this in other states. I would argue you don't always need a MS in engineering. I know we aren't in Canada or the United Kingdom but you cannot work as an engineer without a degree there. So I really don't think that is exaggerated greatly. Perhaps 10/15/20 years ago, but no company is going to hire a 22 year old without a degree claiming to be an engineer with nothing to prove for that.

Without a PE you will be limited at larger companies, I'd imagine like Disney, for responsibility and liability issues.

Tell him to go to college, get a degree- even if it isn't engineering. I'd imagine job security is important to both you and him and any sort of degree will aid in that.

You said its "almost impossible" to get an engineering job with "just" a BS and PE. That simply isn't the case. *shrugs*

 

[Cais]

I think without makes more sense there. Heck, I have a bs in engineering and I couldn't get an engineering job.

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