The Walt Disney World offers many incredible opportunities for college students, as well as alumni who have graduated within the past year. However, many wonder what the difference is between their College Program and Professional Internships, and aren’t sure about the requirements for them.
First, the College Program offers general experiences in about twenty entry-level positions at theme parks and resort hotels. If one’s university complies, a student may earn college credit for the program. Designed for undergraduates, its responsibilities are not specific to a major like those of professional internships are.
Opportunities include the following fields: Entertainment (performing, supporting performers or helping with costuming), Recreation (such as being a lifeguard or helping at places like mini golf courses), Retail/Sales (cashier, vacation planner, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique), Food/Beverage (food preparation, cashier, etc.), Lodging/Resorts (housekeeping, checking guests in at the front desk, and such), and Operations (photopass photographer, operating shows/rides, helping with parking and transportation such as trams, monorails and ships).
While an applicant may choose a preferred area of work, he/she is not guaranteed that position, and a field may be selected at random for him/her. The program does not, however, provide a look at the business/corporate side of Disney, which is offered in the Professional Internships.
The College Program offers housing, with rent that can be automatically taken out of one’s paycheck. It is a good option for those wanting a 4-6 month break off school to gain real-world experiences and meet many people from around the world. Buses are freely available to transport workers from their Disney housing to anywhere on-property, and the program many times gives late-night shifts, with an average of about 2 days off a week.
One should also expect to participate in college-level coursework created by the program, with textbook readings and projects. It pays minimum wage, with benefits of a 20%-off discount on Disney merchandise, free admission to the 4 parks, and the experience looking good on one’s résumé.
To apply, one must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States and have finished at least one semester. However, once working in the program, he/she does not have to be either enrolled or taking classes, per Disney’s internship blog.
Some choose to take a semester off school, while others try taking some online classes (these are really the only viable options with the demand of 30-40+ required, non-negotiable hours a week) so as to not fall too far behind.
Before applying to the College Program, students should consider that, while taking time off for this experience may be feasible, for many, after taking time off, it is difficult to get back into the studying-momentum of school. Also, many internships can turn into full-time jobs, so one might want to be available for those great opportunities too, rather than stuck in the pickle of having to finish school first.
On a final note, college financial aid advisors might give students (mainly those receiving grants/scholarships) a hard time about taking time off. For those living on-campus at a university, there might be huge difficulties in trying to cancel housing early if needed and the school might have a problem with “unsatisfactory progress” unless personally talked about with, and approved by, an academic advisor.
It’s possible, but one should understand the potential time-consuming hassles of being in the midst of schooling. Some prefer to finish out their degree first, while others can manage scheduling time off to fit this type of experience in.
Regarding Disney’s Professional Internships, these are geared toward providing experience in one’s specific major. Unlike with the College Program, applicants are usually required to have taken a good amount of classes within their major (sometimes 3 or more years’ worth) before applying for the related internship.
Although some college students take 6 months off school for these internships, some Professional Internship employers can hire those who have graduated college within the past year. Many internships in this world are neither paid nor world-renowned like Disney’s are, so that makes these stand out.
For the communications majors, opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following internships: Public Relations, Copywriter, Sales/Advertisement, and Social Media ( the latter of which is also for marketing majors).
The Pricing Strategy & Revenue Management internship is recommended for those majoring in math, economics, industrial engineering, psychology or business. The Industrial Engineering and Workforce Management internship is catered specifically toward those serious in the major of industrial engineering.
Specifically geared toward computer science majors are the following internships: Software Engineering, Web Developer, and Business Analyst (IT).
Science majors might consider internships offered in the fields of biology, chemistry, plant studies, vet science, aquaculture, biotechnology, conservation education, entomology, or aquarium/marine biology.
Finally, for majors not listed, other internship opportunities are as follows: graphic design, costuming, Creative Entertainment Production Assistant (stage management), wedding planner and others related to event planning (hospitality majors), Sous Chef Disney Management (there also is an entire Disney Culinary Program), finance/accounting, retail, travel operations and art director.
The possibilities are endless, with more internships available than even listed above, and there is something available for almost everyone.
Michelle Matuszewski is the Animal Programs Manager for Disney who hires many for the Professional Internships related to her field, such as the Conservation Education internship. Via a phone interview, she was able to offer some valuable information to potential applicants.
“Our internships are not extra positions,” Matuszewski said. “Whereas some companies have an extra person who helps with filing or organizing things, our interns are critical to our operation. We cannot do the job without them, so for the 6 months they spend with us, they get some really good first-hand training to enhance their résumé for their long-term careers.”
When asked what college students should do to prepare for earning such an internship, she emphasized that real-life experiences in not only one’s school, but also in the surrounding community and careers are important to topping the competition of these programs.
“Take advantage of your professors at a university and work with them to see if you can do extra-curricular, non-classroom projects in research,” Matuszewski said. “Whatever the interest/field is, we’re really looking for the well-rounded candidate. Doing independent work outside of the classroom structure is very notable on a résumé.”
In the Professional Internships, students can even have the privilege of working with top-notch researchers with much background within their major. It’s a valuable opportunity, which Charles Lewis, who was a Chemistry Intern at Disney, can attest to.
“I’ve gotten to work with fabulous chemists,” Lewis said. “You have so many opportunities to connect with so many people both inside and outside of your field. I’ve made friends with people who are aquarists, and people who take care of large animals and small animals, and everything in-between.
“I’ve met people in maintenance, and even on the show-side of our work, in performance and lighting and sound design. It’s just such a broad experience, and I think it just makes a more well-rounded individual.”
He also mentioned that, due to the Professional Internships being so competitive, experience being a part of them is very prestigious to put on a résumé.
For more information on both the CP and Professional Internships, please see Disney’s informational site here.
