Disney internships offer job experience, course credit

Disney College Program Recruitment signs were plentiful on the GCSU campus last week.

This is a part of both the national and international recruitment program that brings hundred of interns to work at Disney’s entertainment company.

The Disney College Program offers paid internships with the Disney World Company. They are usually jobs that can be found in the Disney Theme Parks and Resort in Orlando, Fl. and Anaheim, Ca. They are open to all majors and include three important benefits: learning, earning and living.

Kim Cascone, Disney’s campus recruitment representative to GCSU, and other colleges led two very informative programs. She is a Florida native and has been working for Disney since high school, and has continued to do in her professional career.

“We are not just employees at Disney, we are cast members,” Cascone said. “Some of us work on stage and interact with customers whether we are there to entertain or serve, and some of us work backstage. We are an integral part of Disney’s ongoing success.”

Disney is a member of the Fortune 100, a group of the 100 most recognizable businesses in the world. Disney’s company include affiliates such as ESPN, Pixar, ABC, History Channel, Disney Channel, and Lifetime.

“Having Disney in your resume increases your marketability in the job market,” Cascone said. “Everyone knows the Disney Company and employers know that we have an excellent training program and the experience. Interning at Disney helps increase your self-knowledge, interpersonal skills, and secures that competitive edge for a future career.”

As part of the learning benefit, students can earn college credit while working for Disney World. They offer an array of college-credited courses such as hospitality and management and communications. Courses are taken at Disney University, and are held at least once a week and include a regular course work.

Erin Boitet, a sophomore and French major, interned at Disney’s Epcot Park during the fall of 2005. She worked at the German Biergarten Restaurant as a General Teller. She also accumulated a total of 12 credit hours.

“I was able to take two of my core classes through UGA online,” Boitet said. “I thought it would post a problem or even hold me back if I couldn’t get in my core classes, but the Disney adviser here at GCSU was really helpful in working with me and making sure that I’m on track.”

Interns are paid at approximately $6.40 per hour. Normal work hours range from 30-45 hours during peak seasons. Overtime may also be available. However, interns are required to have full availability mainly because their shifts are at nights, weekends and holidays.

Marissa D’Aurio, a sophomore and Business

Management major, worked during the fall of 2005 at the front desk of the All-Star resort as a receptionist.

“It sounds like a lot, especially if you have to go to school on top of that,” D’Aurio said. “But the managers at Disney really work around your class schedule.”

The Disney College Program also provides living accommodations that are near the parks and attractions. The apartments can accommodate anywhere from 1 to 7 people roommates can be requested or assigned and include amenities such as pools, recreation room, workout facility, computer labs, fully furnished apartments and shuttles to and from work for interns who do not have their own transportation among many others. Room and board fees are deducted from pay so that interns do not have to worry about paying rent and other bills.

They also offer workshops and social events so that the residents and other interns can get to know each other. There are so many new faces from all walks of life that sometimes being an intern can be intimidating.

“I didn’t know a lot of people when I came to intern at Disney except for a few people that I met during the interview here at GCSU,” Boitet said. “It was nerve-racking at first, but they have all these social events and you realize everyone feels the same way.”

D’Aurio, who was at first very shy and not very outgoing couldn’t agree more with Boitet.

“It’s very tough at first ,especially if you’re really shy,” D’Aurio said. “But there are thousands of people at the park and so many people that you need to interact with on a daily basis that you just kind of forget how shy you are. So now, I can go talk to just about anyone and not think so much about it.”

A few perks also help lure future interns. Interns get an array of discounts at various stores, restaurants and clubs in Orlando and free passes to the four major theme parks.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s just such a magical and cool place,” D’Aurio said. “I had so much fun and met so many people from all over the world. I’m definitely going back to work there.”

For more information about the Disney College Program, visit disneycollegeprogram.com or contact Jan Flynn, Disney College Program recruitment advisor here at GCSU at (478)445-2569 or at jan.flynn@gcsu.edu .

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 7 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry