Hi-ho! Hi-ho! It’s off to work they go!
The Walt Disney World College Program has given students all over the world the opportunity to obtain skills and experience they can use in a competitive work environment.
According to the Walt Disney World Program Web site, students who are chosen to work for the program will participate in the basic internship in which they work various positions in the Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Fla.
The Web site says the program’s alumni have the opportunity to do advanced internships, which will give them hands-on experience in their elds of study.
“It really opens up doors,” said Stephanie Joseph, a biological sciences senior.
Joseph, who is also a campus representative for Disney, was selected in fall 2000 to participate in the advanced internship program. According to the Web site, the program made its debut in 1981 and then employed more than 200 students working in Magic Kingdom.
Program participants spend up to six months living in Orlando, Fla., in fully furnished apartments provided by Walt Disney World.
Participants of the college program are expected to attend communications, marketing, management and leadership classes.
Also, they are expected to work at least 30 hours a week for $6 an hour.
Students can work as lifeguards, merchandise hosts, or food and beverage hosts.
The Web site says students who are interested in becoming a part of the program must attend a program presentation given at their University’s campus and sign up for an interview time.
Students who miss the presentation at their school can attend a presentation at another school, the Web site says.
Susan Feinberg, Career Services assistant director, said when students first participate in the program, their work is not directed toward their major.
Joseph said the description found on the Disney Web site had nothing to do with what she actually did at Walt Disney World.
“It was disappointing at rst,” she said.
Joseph said she thought she would work directly with animals and in her eld of study.
She said her job required her to work with children and present information to tourists about recycling and other environmental issues. Despite her original expectations, Joseph said she had a wonderful time in Walt Disney World, and the internship turned out to be more than she expected.
“It teaches you how to interact with people,” Joseph said.
Candice Adams, an accounting senior and Disney campus representative, agreed with Joseph.
Adams, who participated in the program during fall 2002, said the internship was an unforgettable experience that allowed her to be in a diverse atmosphere.
“You learn how to communicate with different people on different levels,” she said.
Adams said she learned how to communicate her feelings in a work environment.
Adams also said she took classes such as human resource management, where she worked with a group to solve the problems of a fictional company.
According to the Walt Disney World Web site, students are expected to attend class in business attire.
Students also are required to wear nametags during class.
Students who miss three classes are dropped from the course.
Joseph said students in the advanced internship are not required to take the college courses.
Students can take independent study classes while they are at Walt Disney World, Feinberg said. If a students fails a course at Walt Disney World, the grade carries over to the University.
According to a fax sent from Feinberg, all Disney courses, except for the Disney practicum course, are considered Management 3000.
Disney practicum transfers as Management 3280, the fax said. Credit will be given only if it is required in sought-after degree curriculum.
Feinberg said participants with the TOPS scholarship can have it deferred by registering with Career Services.
Adams said the best aspect of the internship was that she got to interact and work with people of different cultures.
According to the Walt Disney World Web site, international students are welcomed to participate with the program, because the company encourages diversity in all aspects of their business.
“It was great to see all of the different cultures,” Adams said. “Language barriers were difficult at first.”
Adams said communicating became easier when she learned to use her hands and emotions.
Joseph and Adams said they will seek permanent jobs at Disney after they graduate.
It’s easier for Disney college program alumni to get jobs with the company because it tends to hire from within, Joseph said.
“It’s an opportunity to get your foot in the door,” Joseph said.
Feinberg said possible employers always are impressed with students who have interned at a Fortune 500 company.
Adams said her overall experience was truly magical.
Both women said even though they experienced some difficult moments during the internship, there was never anything they could not handle.
The difficulties teach you how to be patient and to deal with situations that possibly could occur in a typical work place, Adams said.
“You have to take the situation for what it is,” Joseph said.
She said having a good attitude is necessary when working in uncomfortable environments.
“There will always be one kid or family [who] will come along and make it all worthwhile,” Joseph said.
Log on to www.wdwcollegeprogram.com for more information.