All About Learning – Disney College Program Miniseries: Season 4 Episode 2
ON THIS EPISODE OF LIFE AT DISNEY PODCAST
Disney College Program participants get access to exclusive learning offerings designed for professional and personal development. We’re talking to Zac and John, two participants on the road to 100 learning hours, to discover what makes these unique offerings special.
Welcome to season four of our miniseries, where we’ll discuss all things about life on the Disney College Program! For more than 40 years, this unique internship experience has brought magic makers to Walt Disney World® Resort from across the country and many participants go on to have lasting careers with The Walt Disney Company.
John works at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn as a concierge host, where he helps guests in the Innkeeper’s Club Lounge. Zac is often the first cast member guests encounter when they go to Magic Kingdom. He works in parking and can often be found telling jokes on the back of the trams. Both John and Zac have taken advantage of the many learning offerings and are breaking down the types of offerings, certificates and how learning has made a positive impact on their future Disney careers.
ABOUT THE GUESTS:
Zac Chatters is from Sacramento, CA, and graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Civic Communications and Media with a minor in English (Creative Writing). Zac grew up visiting Disneyland with his family and making many magical memories while wondering what went on behind the scenes and hoping, one day, to join the magic. He applied for his Disney College Program the day the applications went live and did his phone interview the first day he had the chance to. After driving coast to coast from a final visit to Disneyland to the beginning of his College Program at Walt Disney World, Zac joined the Parking Operations team at the one and only Magic Kingdom. Through his time at the College Program, Zac has had the opportunity to meet Disney Legends, Imagineers and countless others within the Walt Disney Company and make incredible relationships. He is beyond grateful for his program, Zac hopes to continue exploring the world of hospitality leadership and one day join the Disney Hospitality Leadership Program!
John Cagnina is from Boardman, OH, and currently earning a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration at Youngstown State University. John grew up with a love for Disney shared by his mother and always enjoyed vacationing at the parks. The Disney College Program was not on his radar until on a recent trip when he ran into some alumni from his college who were past participants. John knew that taking a step back from college and completing a program would be a trajectory for him, but a great new path with many opportunities. John quickly decided to take the leap and move down to Florida where he currently works in the Innkeeper's Club at Disney's Boardwalk Resort. Being heavily involved in all the learning opportunities at Apprentice Hall, John has taken every opportunity offered to him while on his program so far. He has recently extended his program until next May and will return to school in the Fall and complete his degrees. John plans on completing future college programs and hopes for opportunities in Professional internships fueled by the relationships he's made on his current program. John plans on pursuing a lifelong career at the Disney Company in a creative role within Walt Disney Imagineering.
