How the Disney College Program Prepares You for Life After College
How the Disney College Program Prepares You for Life After College
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay
Career Planning Expert
Career Planning at TheBalance.com
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Twitter @dawnrosenbrgmck
Life After College
Have you told someone—maybe a professor or advisor at your college or even your parents—you want to participate in the Disney College Program only to be met with the question, “what is that going to do for you?” At first glance, the DCP might seem a bit frivolous. Unlike other college internships that have you working in an area related to what you want to do in the future, the DCP places you in a job that often has no relationship with your college major or your career plans. You may work in a park or resort in one of a myriad of roles including quick service food and beverage, merchandise, custodial, attractions, or housekeeping, for example, even when your career plans include accounting, photography, marketing, teaching, or archaeology.
It isn’t hard to see why some people might wonder how the DCP can be a beneficial experience to a college student or recent graduate. But, all it takes is a conversation with someone who has gone through the program to realize exactly how the program can prepare you for life after college and why some DCP alumni describe the experience as life-changing.
As a CP, you have the opportunity to acquire essential workplace know-how, regardless of your career path. Many college majors give you the technical skills to do a particular job, but the DCP will provide you with the soft skills that will allow you to excel in any occupation. You will come out of the Disney College Program knowing so much more than you did going into it. Here are just a few of the things you will bring with you to your future career.
Soft Skills Learned in DCP
- The Four Keys Basics: These core values—safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency—are the Disney Company’s guiding principles. During training, and throughout your program, you will learn about them and how they contribute to an excellent guest experience. First and foremost, all cast members must keep guests, themselves, their coworkers, and their environments safe. They must also be courteous when interacting with others. Whether on stage or backstage, your workspace must be neat, clean, and inviting. You must work efficiently. While your future employers probably won’t use the same terminology and may not even hold these values as dear as Disney does, you can apply these four keys basics to any workplace.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: There are four words every employer hates to hear—It’s Not My Job. You will quickly discover, as a CP, that there is no such thing. As a merchandise CP, you may find yourself picking up after a guest who has left trash behind or you may, when working as a custodial CP, have to calm down a lost child. The ability to think on your feet and the willingness to take on new challenges are invaluable qualities.
- Diplomacy: There are a lot of rules at Disney. Most of them revolve around keeping guests safe and happy. It is up to cast members, including CPs, to enforce them. That often means saying no to guests. An example would be an attractions CP having to tell a family a child doesn’t meet the height requirements to go on a ride or directing someone who doesn’t have a Fast Pass to the regular line. Guests are often unhappy to get the news and may take it out on the person delivering it. You will learn how to be diplomatic during all your interactions with guests even when they are anything but that. You will develop the ability to diffuse tense situations. Now that’s truly a skill that can help you in all aspects of life.
- Customer Service Skills: Few other companies are as attentive to customer service as Disney is. Your leaders, as the company’s managers are known, will make sure you know how to provide excellent service to guests. You will become adept at making small talk and politely answering questions.
- Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills go hand-in-hand with superb customer service. Whether serving guests their meals, managing a line for an attraction, or ringing up purchases in a shop, most roles involve speaking to and listening to guests. Your communication skills will also get a workout when it comes to receiving and correctly following your leaders’ instructions.
- Professionalism: Your conduct at work, known as professionalism, will matter as much to your future employer as your ability to do your job. In other words, you could be a brilliant accountant but if you show up to work late, gossip, don’t pitch in to help your coworkers, lie, or fight with your coworkers your boss will take notice, and it could be detrimental to your career advancement opportunities. Your leaders will have high expectations for your conduct during the program. The DCP will provide you with an excellent work ethic.
Use your time as a CP wisely. Take to heart all the valuable things you will learn during this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Listen to your leaders’ feedback and use it to improve your performance. The Disney College Program provides the opportunity to learn things outside of a classroom, and you will use those skills throughout your career.
Well Timed Advice! Importance of DCP Parent Group.
Grab a tissue and read this message we received from Susan, a member.
Well Timed Advice!
Your quick responses with advice make DCP Parent group members our most valuable asset!
“As my DD'S 2nd term comes to a close, I wanted to personally thank you for all that you do for the program. Here are just a few things that the Disney parent site did for us:
- Hurricane. ..need I say more?
- Car accident in the middle of the night. Car was fixed and back on the road the next day.
- Medical emergency. Rapid Care, pharmacy and note from Dr. all taken care of by checking the files.
- Negotiating Disney language.
- Katies Cakes!
- Well timed advice.
- I could list a million more ways but let's just say that my DD and our family thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do to make this a wonderful, joyful, once in a lifetime experience.”
It warms our hearts and validates our hard work to receive these messages. Thank you Susan for taking the time to share your experience with us and giving permission to share with the world.
Also, Please stick around after your kid is finished with the program! Sometimes they do another program. Even more importantly, we always need experienced parents to help with answering questions! The post DCP depression is real. It helps to alleviate this with a little surprise from our store.
Life Skills Every DCP Participant Needs
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay
Heading off to Orlando, Florida or Anaheim, California for the DCP is the beginning of a dream come true for most participants. It may also be a little scary, especially for those who haven’t lived away from home or had a real job. You have some time between when you get your acceptance email to when you check in for your program to learn some valuable life skills that will help you succeed in the DCP and get the most out of it. By the time you start, you should know how to:
Get Along With Roommates: Many CPs describe their roommates as the highlight of their program while some say they were the worst part of it. No one will argue the fact that it’s not easy living in close quarters with as many as seven other people. You don’t have to become best friends with your roommates to make the most of this arrangement, but you do have to find a way to get along.
Start by having an open mind. Realize that not everyone does things or thinks the same way, so it’s essential that you know how to compromise. If you have a difference of opinion, find time to talk it out in person, perhaps set up a meeting for all apartment residents. Merely leaving notes around the apartment is not an effective way to resolve a problem.
Balance Your Budget: Living in, or almost in, a theme park can be expensive. While admission is free for CPs, there are still plenty of things on which to spend money—food, merchandise, and for those of age, alcoholic beverages. Not to mention, the other nearby attractions just begging for your dollars.
Unless you are independently wealthy, you will need to know how to balance your budget. Disney deducts rent from your weekly paycheck, as well as Federal taxes. If you are a resident of a state that has its own income tax, set aside money from your earnings so that you aren’t caught short when your taxes are due in April. Earning money as a CP also gives you the opportunity to build up some savings.
Prepare Meals: Speaking of balancing your budget, preparing meals in your apartment will help you save a lot of money. It is costly to eat out, especially in or near a resort area, like Orlando or Anaheim. Your health will also suffer if you dine out frequently. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to eat well. Salads, sandwiches, and pasta are all easy to prepare. DCP buses go to nearby supermarkets where you can stock up on groceries.
Take Feedback From Leaders: The people in charge of managing the CPs and other cast members are known as leaders. Their job is to make sure everything at a particular location runs smoothly. That often includes telling those they supervise how to improve their performances.
Take your leaders' feedback seriously. You will not only learn how to do your role better at Disney World or Disneyland, but you will also be able to take what you learn and apply it to future jobs.
Speak Up for Yourself: One of the hardest parts of being an adult is speaking up for yourself. It is also one of the most satisfying things to be able to do. Since you know best what you need and want, you can be your greatest advocate.
There are many times during your program when this skill will come in handy. For example, if there is a problem in your apartment, let's say palmetto bugs have taken over (no need to panic—it’s not so unusual in the warm South), you will have to request that housing send an exterminator to get rid of them. Things get busy, so you may have to ask more than once.
Listen Carefully: Avoid misunderstandings by paying close attention when others are speaking to you. Whether your leader is instructing you on how to perform a role-related task, a guest is asking a question, or your roommate is bringing up a concern, good listening skills are essential to making sure you understand what they are saying.
Keep Your Temper in Check: No matter how much you love your role, theree will come a time when a guest will get on your very last nerve. If it happens only once during your program, consider yourself very lucky. People are people, and there are some who aren’t very nice.
As much as you want to scream at a demanding guest, obviously you cannot. The next best thing: paste a smile on your face, and say have a nice day. Perhaps your kindness will rub off. This skill will also serve you well in other situations during your DCP, for example when a leader or roommate upsets you.
Manage Your Time: Living on your own means you will need to find time to do laundry, go grocery shopping, prepare meals, and, of course, socialize. Making friends with other CPs and your coworkers may be one of the best parts of the DCP.
How are you going to fit all those things into a busy work schedule? Knowing how to manage your time is an essential skill. Make sure you get it all figured out before your program begins or you may find yourself giving up the one thing you need most—sleep.
Make Small Talk: Some people are great at starting conversations with total strangers. Others find it challenging. The ability to make small talk will come in handy for the DCP, and for the rest of your life.
In most roles other than character performer, you will find yourself having to chat briefly with guests. No one expects you to have long meaningful conversations. You can ask them where they are from and if they’ve ever been to Disney World or Disneyland before. The weather is also a good topic.
Say “No:” There are times during your program when you will have to say “no” and not just in the situations you learned about in high school health. Although it could feel uncomfortable to refuse someone’s request, it is better than doing something you don’t want to do or worse, compromising your success in the DCP.
You may have to, for example, turn down an invitation for late night socializing when you have to be at work early the next day. Or you may have to refuse to give free park tickets to your old friend who has barely spoken to you since the day you graduated from middle school. It’s amazing how many people come out of the woodwork when they hear you work for Disney and think you may be able to get them in for free. You may also have to say “no” when a fellow CP asks you to switch shifts with them if doing so will make your life difficult. It’s nice to help out if you can though.
Remember, you will get out of the DCP what you put into it. Entering your program armed with these skills will increase your chances of having a fulfilling and productive experience.
The Realities of the Disney College Program
The Realities of the Disney College Program
By Dawn Rosenberg McKay
The Disney College Program (DCP) gives college students and recent graduates the opportunity to spend a semester or more working in a Disney park or resort. Participants, commonly called CPs, are paid for their time and, depending on their institution's rules, may also get college credit. The DCP is an incredible experience for many students and recent graduates—you get to earn money, acquire valuable skills, and spend at least four months in the happiest place on earth, but it isn't right for everyone. Before you decide to apply for and accept a position in the program, you should learn what it is really like. Here are things to know about the Disney College Program:
Admission Is Competitive: When you apply for the Disney College Program, be sure to have a backup plan. Make plans as if you are going back to school instead of beginning the program. A very small percentage of applicants get accepted. Don’t despair if you don’t make it into the program. You can always try again, as long as you are still in school or up to six months after you graduate.
College May Be in the Title, But the DCP Isn’t College: The DCP serves as a wonderful companion to your college education, but it is very different than your life is as a student. Disney has high expectations for its college program participants. You will have to show up to work when you are scheduled to be there. You can request a day off here and there, but it could be denied. The company’s staffing needs come first.
DCP housing, where many participants choose to live, is comprised of dormitory style apartments. Accommodations house between two and eight people, and you may share a room with up to three CPs. Some rooms have bunk beds and each apartment has a full kitchen. If you don’t already know how to cook, it would be a good idea to learn before you arrive. Unlike college, the DCP does not offer meal plans and eating out will get very expensive.
If you plan to live in housing, you should be aware there are very strict rules. For example, everyone under 21 years of age is required to live in a “wellness” apartment. Alcohol is absolutely prohibited there. If any is found in your apartment, everyone living there will be terminated from the program. If you are 21 or over and living in a “wellness” apartment, for example, you turn 21 during your program, you are not exempt from this rule. Apartments are regularly and thoroughly inspected.
CPs Usually Work Outside Their College Major: While the DCP is technically considered an internship, participants usually do not get experience related to their college major. They are often placed in positions throughout the parks and resorts such as merchandise, lifeguarding, custodial, quick service food and beverage, attractions, and housekeeping. Although you may not get experience in your field of study, most participants come out of the DCP with valuable work and life skills.
If acquiring experience in your major is a priority, consider applying for a Professional Internship (PI) instead or apply for one after you complete the college program. Both the DCP and PI are very competitive, but the PI is even more so. Participation in a DCP may be a very valuable component of your application.
Everyone Gets to Make Magic, But Probably Not in the Way You Think: If you've ever been to Disney World, Disneyland, or another Disney park, you may envision yourself in a particular role, maybe even one that puts you in a position surrounded by guests waiting to take their picture with you. It is important to note that it takes a lot of people to make magic at Disney Parks and Resorts. Along with cast members, who are full and part-time employees, most CPs work at jobs that involve keeping the facilities clean, serving food to guests, selling merchandise, and keeping guests comfortable and safe. All of these roles contribute to the magic that is Disney, and no job is more or less important than any other.
You Will Not End Up in a Role You Don't Want: If there's a particular job you do not want, there is a way to guarantee you won't get it. When you complete your application, you will be presented with a list of all available roles. For each one, you will be able to indicate how you feel about it. You can choose from: Not Interested, Have Little Interest, Somewhat Interested, or Very Interested. Make sure to pick "Not Interested" for any roles you do not want. Do not choose "Have Little Interest" or neglect to choose an answer at all. If you do either of those things, there is a chance you could end up with that role, since you didn't indicate you are not interested in it. It is important to note though, that saying you are “very interested” in a role, doesn’t mean you will get it. Be open for surprises though. You may end up loving the role in which you said you had “little interest.”
Expect to Work Long Days and Weeks: The Disney Parks and Resorts are open year-round and to keep the magic going they must be fully staffed. CPs, particularly during the busiest seasons, are sometimes scheduled to work more than 10 hours a day and many days in a row. Many participants end up working sixty hour weeks at times.
Don't Expect to Be Home for the Holidays: It is difficult for many people to be away from home during Christmastime. If you suspect you won't be able to give up celebrating the holidays with your family, do not apply for the Fall or Fall Advantage programs. Spring and Spring Advantage may be more suitable for you, but if you cringe at the thought of missing any holidays at home, think twice about doing that too.
Check With Your College Before Accepting An Offer: Colleges have different policies regarding students’ participation in the DCP. Some give CPs academic credit but require them to take courses through the program or their home institutions. Others don’t give any credit but allow students to take a leave of absence. Some students must take online classes or pay a separate fee during their absence to maintain enrollment. Check with your college to find out what its policy is. Scholarships may also have specific requirements, and so it is prudent to learn about them before committing to the DCP.
MAGIC BEGINS WITH ME!
By Miles Smith
Just some thoughts from a former Disney Cast Member to the parents who have a son or daughter who is not excited about their role in the Disney College Program.
When I applied to work for Disney, my mind was full of exciting possibilities about which attraction I would work. I hoped for Tomorrowland but was prepared to settle for Fantasyland since I was not into kiddie rides. The interview went great, and I was sure I would not be receiving letter size envelope but the big manila one.
About a month later the big manila envelope finally arrived, and I was dripping with anticipation. I gently opened it up only to discover that I was assigned to work at the French Market Restaurant.
I was crushed.
That summer I worked as a busboy with a set weekly schedule that included no weekends off and all 1:00-9:30 and 2:00-10:30 closings. This meant my summer was ruined. But it wasn't. Yes, when I arrived at work it was the middle of the lunch rush, with an hour break to get ready for and work through the dinner crowds, and only to be followed by the clean up and get ready for the next day – but I still found the MAGIC that is Disney.
As they say in the theatre, ‘There are no small roles, only small actors,’ so I decided to come to work every day ready to make every one of my guests’ meals the best experience they would have in the park. Even when it was busy, I greeted everyone with a smile and a friendly comment, asked if there was anything else they needed, answered all kinds of crazy questions, and took pictures of their groups.
I did this for two years before moving into the kitchen, where I would have no guest contact. But I was still determined to help make MAGIC happen, so on one of my breaks, instead of going downstairs and watching TV for 15 minutes, I would go out on the patio and talk to MY guests.
My point is, Disney MAGIC is in the Cast Member’s hand – and head – and not in the position you hold. Most of the positions are ‘non-glamorous,’ but that is not where the magic happens. It starts and is created within each Cast Member. I am in my mid-50s now and still look at those five years as some of the best in my life.
Tell your kids who are sad that everyone, from the parking lot attendants to the sweepers, from attractions to ticket booths, are all an important part of the show. Tell them to walk through the park on the way to their shift and greet people. Learn a couple of greetings in foreign languages – guests love that! If their guest’s happiness is their goal, they can find a way to make their time there special and important.
Disney MAGIC is everywhere…..they just have to look!
OPEN THAT DOOR!
From time to time, we talk with a parent who knows little to nothing about the Disney College Program – and their student has just been accepted! Many times, we help to calm the parent’s jittery nerves about their child being so far from home. Occasionally, we’re asked how this program can truly help their student in their future career, particularly if they’re in a major that seems disconnected from the theme park idea of Disney. Rarely, we encounter a parent who flat out refuses to believe that working in Custodial or Attractions is really going to factor into their student’s resume development.
Mom or Dad, think again!
There have been Business and Accounting majors who spent their programs in Attractions, loading Guests onto Spaceship Earth, who confirm that having Disney on their resume has opened doors for them in the corporate world, for many years after they completed their programs.
Engineering majors who may have prepped food in Quick Service Food and Beverage positions have moved into Professional Internships and even into careers as Disney Imagineers.
Scholars with impressive 4.0 grade averages working as Lifeguards or in Custodial positions have even reported that their customer skills have been honed and that their world view has been changed because of being in the Disney College Program.
It’s not all glitz and glamour, it’s hard work, and it’s often in an area that you may think has no benefit whatsoever to your incredibly talented computer graphics or X major. And you’d be wrong. The Disney College Program is also a door to making connections in their field, learning about things they might do with their degree, and meeting those who may be able to guide them as to how to move up within the company. And for those who don’t intend to stay with the company, it’s a resume line item that your child completed a sought-after internship, in which only approximately 8% of applicants are accepted, and in a Fortune 100 company with, arguably, the best training model in the world.
Parents, don’t discount something that you may not know enough about. And don’t crush your child’s dream or their enthusiasm. We’ve spoken to recruiters who wax poetic about how, when they see the Disney College Program on an applicant’s resume, they most definitely get the interview, and usually get the job.
So, whatever lofty career your student may be aiming toward, remember one other little fact -- everyone seems to want to talk about what’s it was like to work at Disney! The experience truly opens doors.
by Laura Schwartz