How would you like to live in Walt Disney World for five to eight months? Or maybe Disneyland in Anaheim is more your style.
These options are available to those who are accepted into the Disney College Internship Program. Disney recruiters visited the Student Center last Wednesday to recruit UVU students for the Disney College Internship Program for the sixth year in a row.
“Last semester we had 13 UVU students in the program in Florida,” said Disney Campus Representative and UVU student Hayley Hortin. Currently, Disney is recruiting for their spring program, which starts in January, and all majors are welcome to apply. “It does not matter what your major is. We take all majors at Disney,” said Disney Recruiter Jason Gibson.
Gibson added that Disney does not look for the right major; they look for the right person for the right role. Cast Members Roles, as Disney calls them, include entertainment, attractions, custodial, food and beverage services, merchandise, hospitality, housekeeping, lifeguarding, transportation and recreation.
Gibson said that the program is a paid internship that combines experience and education. Students have their choice of living in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, or in Disneyland in Anaheim, California. “It is a paid internship, so you will earn between $7.21 and $11.50 per hour, depending on which coast you are on,” he added.
In addition to this, interns will also have the opportunity to network with Disney leaders, including corporate executives, during the course of the program. Also, students have the potential to earn college credit through the program.
According to Disney’s website, the American Council on Education (ACE) recently granted the Disney College Program an official credit recommendation for the work component of the internship; therefore, students can potentially earn up to nine semester hours of credit.
Disney College Program Cast members will also be eligible for resort benefits. Gibson said that some of the privileges of being a Walt Disney World Cast Member include free theme park admission for cast members and their friends, as well as discounts on resort accommodations, merchandise and more. “As cast members, we get to ride the new attractions before our guests,” he added.
Disney will return to recruit next spring for the fall program. “We don’t have a date set yet of when we will return, but you can check the College Program website for more information,” said Hortin.
If you were not able to attend the meeting and are interested in the program, an online presentation is available at www.wdwcollegeprogram.com.
