Weird/random CP questions...

[Amanda132]

Okay, so I'm pretty sure that I want to do the College Program, but I can't decide if I want to do it during school (most likely during my sophomore or junior year) or wait until I graduate and do it then. So I have a few questions about this...

Has anyone who's done the CP had a problem with remembering stuff when they came back? Like, class stuff? I'm a math major, so a lot of the stuff that you learn one semester is important and comes into play in future semesters. (This is a weird question, but whatever, I'm kind of concerned about it. )

Has anyone who's done the CP after they graduated had a problem getting a non-related job? Like, when I come back home are potential employers going to be like, so why'd you go to Disney instead of getting a related job?

Also, does anyone have any opinions as to whether they preferred going during school or waiting until after they graduated?

Sorry if these questions are weird, but I'm kinda worried about them. Thanks!

 

[WishAndDream]

Okay, so I'm pretty sure that I want to do the College Program, but I can't decide if I want to do it during school (most likely during my sophomore or junior year) or wait until I graduate and do it then. So I have a few questions about this...

Has anyone who's done the CP had a problem with remembering stuff when they came back? Like, class stuff? I'm a math major, so a lot of the stuff that you learn one semester is important and comes into play in future semesters. (This is a weird question, but whatever, I'm kind of concerned about it. )

Has anyone who's done the CP after they graduated had a problem getting a non-related job? Like, when I come back home are potential employers going to be like, so why'd you go to Disney instead of getting a related job?

Also, does anyone have any opinions as to whether they preferred going during school or waiting until after they graduated?

Sorry if these questions are weird, but I'm kinda worried about them. Thanks!

Let me start by saying that I think your questions are awesome, btw.

Have you considered taking online classes during your CP? That's what I'm planning on doing, since my school won't give me credit for the Disney classes. Even if it wasn't through your school, do you think taking an upper-level (or whatever level would be appropriate) math class online somewhere would help keep the material fresh in your mind? Or maybe ask your professors now if they have any strategies or recommended reading for you to do while you're there? You could always bring your old textbooks with you to look over while you're there.

As for the non-Disney jobs... I'm really interested to see what other people say about that. It's a concern I have too, and in all the time I've been lurking on this board, I haven't seen it asked before (and you asked it so much better than I ever would have been able to ). I know they say it's great work experience and that Disney is a respected company... but for certain fields, I almost wonder if having it on my resume would hurt me in the long run. I certainly hope not! I've been wanting to do the CP for a long time. My guess is that if this is something you're worried about, you would probably be better off doing it before you graduate. If you did more "serious" things after you graduate, that might limit questions about why you went to WDW instead of doing something more relevant to your field since you showed you kept going with math later. Plus, in an interview you could always talk about the things you got out of the program, even though it didn't pertain directly to your field (like teamwork, good customer service, leadership, responsibility, that sort of thing).

I'm in the process of applying for Fall 2010, and if I go I'll be missing the first semester of my sophomore year to do it. One of things that I'm weighing against the CP is the opportunities I'll be missing out on here by being in Florida (activities and extracurriculars on campus, the chance to network with professors, alternate and possibly more relevant work opportunities). My reasoning for not waiting until I graduate, though, is that when I graduate the things I'll be missing out on will only be bigger and more significant ("real" job offers, possibly grad school) and I'll be even less likely to think the CP is worth missing out on the other things I could be doing.

 

[kmg148]

If you are worried about missing out, I would wait a year to do the program. I did my CP spring semester of my junior year. Perfect fit for me. I was ready for a break and I needed internship credits. I couldn't live out of the area senior year, so it just worked for me. I wasn't worried about the friends/extracurriculars/school things I missed, because I already had those things established. The year makes a difference. I know it's very hard to wait, but it's worth it. I also think it is a lot easier to make the transition to a CP for the spring semester. For one, if you haven't been away from home before (or live close enough to drive in a few hours) it can be hard during the holidays. Second, it was easier to make sure everything was worked out with my school. Instead of trying to figure it out in May before the semester ended, I was able to work with people at my school until the very last minute in December to make sure I was squared away.

I haven't hit the real world yet, so I don't know...but I kind of have, so I guess I can weigh in. I graduate in May and accepted another CP for the Fall. I am applying for a PI, but it's a backup option that is definite. Since I am majoring in Hospitality, working at Disney is a perfect addition to my resume. However, I don't think any employer would question your motives in a negative way. If they asked, you could always say you wanted to gain some real work experience working for a well known company and experience living and earning on your own and being independent. They would probably appreciate that answer. You could also say that this is a once in a lifetime (well, sort of) opportunity and this is where it fit in your career plan. Just saying the words career plan and hinting that you have one would be impressive in an interview. Most people who get interviewed for jobs have no idea what they are doing for their future. Having a plan is all they need to hear.

If you are majoring in something that isn't necessarily relevant to a CP (say you get a role in Recreation but are majoring in Psychology) try and find aspects of the job to highlight on your resume that utilize the skills you have learned and those that can help you in a future full time job. You could focus on industrial psychology, since that is the study of the workplace. You could say you have experience working with a company that focuses heavily on training their employees. There is a way to find something (at least in several cases) that relates to what you are studying. That's just an example.

I had an interview the other day for a promotion where I work over the summer. When I mentioned that I was going back to Disney no matter what until January, they were excited for me. It's guaranteeing yourself employment, so it's a smart move in this economy.

Hopefully that helps your decision making. I know it can be tough (and tough to wait) but it is worth it!

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

To answer the post-graduation job question (I did the CP after I graduated) I think it actually HELPS. EVERY interview I've had post program (for multiple fields) ask me about my experience there - because everyone knows what Disney is and want to know what its like to work there.

My standard answer to the "so, you graduated with a degree in TV production, and then drove a truck at disney world....how'd that happen?" was always something like "After I graduated, I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go in, and the job market wasn't that great, so I took some time off to make a dream of mine come true and to figure out what I really wanted. And now I know!"
That answer is popular with hiring managers because it a) shows that I work to make "dreams" happen and b) shows that I've already "figured it all out" and I'm ready for a commitment.

It must have worked, since I'm now employed!

 

[mollay]

"After I graduated, I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go in, and the job market wasn't that great, so I took some time off to make a dream of mine come true and to figure out what I really wanted. And now I know!"

That's a REALLY lovely answer :')
I may have to borrow that 5 years down the road hehehe