Summer Internships

[bucket o' butter]

I know this is probably on the wrong board, but not sure where to direct it. My friends daughter (age 16) has dreamed of doing a Disney summer internship for years. She is interested in applying for next year. Does anyone have any experience with this? I have found a thread of college interships, but nothing for high school. According to her, they are available. Just thought I'd try to give her some advice. She needs to save money for college and thought Disney might be able to help her out. If anyone has any info, or can direct me to the correct board, let me know. Thanks!

 

[TupperMom7]

I have never heard of internships for high school. My dd did an intership at Sea World, but she was in college. Sea World had a camp experience or something like that and I believe that was for high school age. Not sure about WDW and what they offer. Hopefully the economy will be better when your dd is ready to do this, because right now WDW is laying people off.

 

[Dancemom03]

There is a "career start" program like the college program for high school graduates who may or may not be planning to attend college. You can apply at the beginning of your senior year in HS but from what I heard there were very few openings this year, and those filled very quickly, while the college program is still currently recruiting for fall 2009. DD19 had a presentation at her college just last week from a recruiter with the Disney College Program. She even came home with a cool purple Mickey-head pen with the CP logo on it.

I'm pretty sure you have to be 18 for both of those programs though. I haven't heard of anything for high school students before they graduate but it's certainly possible, I suppose. Sending pixie dust your way...

 

[meriface11]

I don't know the specific details of Disney's program for a fact, but college internships are often unpaid in exchange for credit, and you probably can't get HS credit for doing an internship at Disney.

 

[kellydizfan]

My DD wants to do this when she gets into College. We have a few more years but this is one thing she speaks about often.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm going to move this over to the College Board. Someone there who has done the college intern program might be able to offer some insight.

I don't think that there is a high school program (too many liabilities when working with under-age employees). But maybe your friend can get some information about the college program and can prepare for that.

 

[twoanddone]

I wish I would have done this. A couple friends did the college internships...... I want my kids to do it!

 

[Sorahana]

There are Disney Professional Internships, but those run from either Jan-June or June-January.

The College Program has four program seasons: Fall, Fall Advantage, Spring, and Spring Advantage. Fall goes from August-January, Fall Advantage from August-January, Spring from January-May, and Spring Advantage from January-August I believe (?).

Careerstart is a 7 month long program for high school seniors or recent graduates of high school.
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/careerstart/wdw/index.html

The only internship that would be summer only is the Summer Alumni College Program and only students who previously participated in a CP can apply for that. That lasts May-August and it's not offered all the time.

You can do Careerstart when you graduate high school. The other programs require that you're enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester.

I hope that was helpful!! If you have any other questions, please ask !!

 

[BabyPiglet]

Unfortunately you have to be 18 to participate in any of Disney's internship opportunities.