5 tips for doing the Disney College Program
Beginning my Disney College Program in January, I had no idea what to expect. I had a small glimpse from my sister who had completed a program back in 2017 but did not know where my journey would take me. Now being over half way through my journey, I have learned a lot and am ready to share my five tips and tricks to doing The Disney College Program!
- DO IT
My first tip is to do the Disney College Program! It is the most amazing semester of your life. Taking a semester off of school can be scary but doing the program has created experiences that will help me in my future careers in ways more than sitting in a classroom could. Being able to go out and get real work experiencing working for a company as big as Disney is the dream. - Live with strangers
Move in with randomly selected roommates, as scary as it may seem. Live with five strangers and be forced to share a room and bathroom. I was so scared to share a room for the first time in my life, but now I can say I cannot imagine it any other way. I have been able to get so close to my roommates and make friendships I otherwise would not have. These girls are some of my best friends I never knew I needed, and I am so glad Disney brought me them. - Never say no
Always say yes. Even when you are exhausted from work and have a morning shift, say yes when your roommates want to watch movies or get ice cream or watch Happily Ever After for the hundredth time. Say yes even when you want to stay in bed because time will fly by and you will wish you could go back to late nights with your roommate. - Network
Take advantage of all the networking opportunities during the program. I took advantage of a communication seminar where I was able to ask questions to Disney Cast Members currently working in my field of interest. My work location, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, actually offered a College Program networking carnival where I was able to meet the general manager of All-Star Music who mentioned my name to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort Cast Members which helped me get an extension for the summer there! See, you never know where Disney networking could get you. - Enjoy every moment
Finally enjoy every moment. Your Disney College Program journey will go by in a blink of an eye. Enjoy it. Even on the days when you miss home, or school enjoy it. You will miss all the days you spent at the parks with your friends and even the long shifts with your coworkers who became like family.