Cats earn credit with Mickey Mouse

 

 

by Chanley Rose

Internship experience is one way to boost a resume, and one opportunity is making “dreams come true” for UK students.

The Disney College Program offers paid internships to UK students at either Walt Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California.

“Students can maintain their status as a full time student,” Cindy Edwards, Disney College Program contact at the James W. Stuckert Career Center said.

Edwards said the ability to maintain student status and while working for Disney has advantages to students for various reasons, and is especially useful to those students who wish to stay covered under a parent’s health care insurance.

Edwards explained that students’ credit hours vary for the program. Each major allows for different credit opportunities, and students should talk to their advisers about earning hours before participating.

Ben Noel is an arts administration junior and a former Disney intern. Noel said he is not behind because of taking time to intern.

“From what I can tell, I think I am right on track,” he said.

Noel interned as a sophomore and was able to earn 12 credit hours.

Disney College Program interns pay for their own housing while working for the company, but program salaries are more than enough to cover living costs, said Wayne Hampton, a Disney World representative who recently held an informational meeting about the college program at UK.

Hampton said Disney has cut housing costs, and students can choose from a few different options. All utilities are included in housing prices, and Disney provides transportation to and from work.

Students can choose from numerous jobs, including concierge, character attendant, lifeguard and vacation planner, according to the program’s website.

Hampton said while a Disney College Program internship does not guarantee employment with Disney, it does offer a leg up when applying for future jobs.

“It would open a door if I decided to go back down to Disney after I graduate,” Noel said.

Noel said he learned how big companies run through the program.

He explained that the internship also exposed him to individuals from a vast array of cultures, because tourists and employees come from all over the world.

“I think it definitely made me aware of language barriers,” Noel said. “I had to learn how to communicate nonverbally.”

All current college students can apply for a Disney College Program internship online at (Disneycollegeprogram.com). The application process is currently under way for the spring session.