Disney College Program
Video Introduction
Training, College Credit & Paid Internships
 

Disney World Site Visit- Spring '08
Left- Brad & Aryiel Rush, Adrian Turner- Interns
Right- Steve Nelson- Prof. Intern
Below- Patsy Cook- Disney Employee, Manager, Blizzard Beach
& Will Johnson- Character Performer
Far Right- Diane Howard, Ph.D- UMHB Disney Advisor
 

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has sent paid interns
to Walt Disney World for the Disney College Program since 2003.
UMHB students have been able to earn up to 12 hours of college
credit at WDW during a semester.

Dr. Diane Howard, Performance Studies in the Dept. of Communication and Media Studies, and Ms. Donna Teel, Computer Graphics in the Dept. of Business Computer Information Systems, have been Disney College Program Advisors.

The Disney College Program is open to all Undergraduate Majors.
 

 Disney internships open doors to stable and consistent opportunities for advancement
 in a major, international company, which values you and what is important to you.
Disney interns work and live with positive, energetic, creative people from all over the world. Disney interns learn and practice various leadership and teamwork skills that
involve public, multi-cultural, and interpersonal communication.

Please consider the further opportunities.
All Disney interns have access to college courses, workshops, seminars,
auditions, and valuable meetings, while they serve and receive
training/mentoring at Disney World.
After an internship, students in good standing in the Disney College Program
may apply for seasonal Disney work, advanced internships, further employment,
and various educational opportunities. 

The Disney College Program provides 5-7 month, paid internships in Disney World.
It offers students hands-on experience in the Disney Industry.
It provides networking opportunities with Disney executives & opportunities
for future Disney careers.
 While on the program, students can earn college credit. 
Disney interns may take classes and workshops instructed by Disney World executives.  The internships are in the following areas: Attractions, Operations, Guest Services, Marketing, Communications, Entertainment, Hospitality, Vacation Planning, Imagineering, and many more.
See Role Descriptions

Steve Nelson, Paid Disney College Intern, 2004-05

Disney was recently voted as the #1 most respectable company in entertainment by Fortune 500.

Disney College Program


Steve Nelson (UMHB Performance Studies Grad; College Program Intern;
Character Performer; Professional Intern- College Program Learning Center;
Full-Time Employee- WDW Research;
Concierge- Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; Guest Relations...)
gives the following advice in 2011 for college students applying for the
WDW College Intern Program:

The Walt Disney World College program is more competitive than ever, with only a small percent of students being accepted each semester. Tens of thousands will interview for the program each year. Some roles will have more availability than others: Food and Beverage, Custodial, and Merchandise will have more need traditionally than: Park Greeters, Attractions, Lifeguards, and so on. You can never be sure exactly which roles are most needed, but you can always ask the recruiter at the presentation which roles may need more people.

Keep in mind that Professional and Management internship opportunities typically go to College Program Alums regardless of what educational backgrounds candidates may have. So if the students are interested in those, they should try an entry level role first.

Over the phone interview skills are also very important. Remember we are the "Happiest Place on Earth," so applicants should clearly have a "smile in their voice when interviewing. Sound like you are having fun and are excited... in this economy, it is vital that all cast members are projecting a positive image and energy at all times to ensure our guests are having the greatest vacation of their lives... our current theme is "Let the Memories Begin"... interested students should think of a strong Disney memory they have (whether it be a visit to the parks, a movie, or gift) and be prepared to share that in the interview when asked why they would like to work for Disney.

 UMHB Performance Studies (PS), Communication (COMM)-
Advisor, Dr. Diane Howard; Computer Graphics Design (CGD ) & Management (M)- Advisor, Ms. Donna Teel

Disney Interns have included the following:
Kathryn Munroe- PS ( 2003-2004), Steve Nelson- PS (2004-2005)
Will Johnson- PS, Rashod Holmes- M,  Kayla Jensen- PS, Alisha Osborn- COMM (2005-2006)
Jessica Perry-PS/Soc. Work, Christy McPherson- Art , Rachel Cain- Art (2005-2006)
Mary Susan McGarr- PS/Theater, Tyna Hammond- PS/Theater,  Kacey Cox- PS
(2006-2007)
Magdaly Rivera- M, Patsy Cook- CGD (2006-2007)
Adrian Turner- PS, Megan Moore- PS/, Ayriel Rush- CGD, Brad Rush- CGD (2008)
Janell Treece- CGD, Joseph Warren- COMM, Rebecca Bulls- COMM,
Emily McNear- PS (2008)
Christina Welch- PS, Samantha Solliday- COMM, Holly Gaskamp-CGD,
Taylor Flaherty- M  (2009)
Rebecca Knotts- Biology/COMM, Edgar Garcia- CGD (2009)
Kristen Kitchen- PS/COMM; Courtney Gerome- Ed.  (2011) 

Courtney Gerome, 2011 College Program Intern, gives the following excellent advice for landing a Disney College Program internship, ...The Disney Look is very important to the Disney Company. I would recommend, when attending the school presentation, to come to the presentation in Disney Look guidelines (hair, nails, makeup and dress in nice jeans and shirt, at least). The first impression is always important and will draw attention to the student’s professionalism and their interest in coming to Disney.

As for the e- interview, take time to think about the answers you give, smile while you talk (they can tell), relax and enjoy talking to the person who interviews you and sit in a room alone with good posture as if that interviewer was in front of you. The interviewer will ask you questions about living with multiple roommates and if you are willing to do any role at Disney World. Be willing to try any experience or challenge that Disney throws at you. You should show how much you want to come to Disney by showing you are flexible! Let your personality shine through. I know something that also helped me was to have my information in front of me about my roles. I also had little notes written down about why I wanted my top roles and why I would be a good candidate. You do not want to read from them but just have a few words that you can glance at to collect your thoughts.

Left (bottom to top)-Will Johnson, Steve Nelson
Right (bottom to top)-- Holly Gaskamp, Dr. Diane Howard, Molly Smith

 

Graduate College Credit-
Disney College Program participants may apply to the University of West Florida's
Learn, Earn, and Lead Certificate Program.
They may earn six graduate credit semester hours that can be applied toward the
online Master of Science in Administration program offered by the
University of West Florida.
For more information about enrolling in this limited opportunity certificate program, contact Dr. Janet Pilcher, jpilcher@uwf.edu

Check online for other colleges that have partnerships with the
Disney Corp. for graduate credit.

Entertainment Roles/Auditions

Disney Opportunities for Students
internships, recent h.s. grad to college grad., undergrad/grad credit,
design competitions...
 

Disney Professional Internships
New Application Process:
Disney Professional Internships for Disney College Program Alumni Only

Students that have successfully completed the
Disney College Program will have the opportunity to apply for multiple roles at the same time, allowing top candidates to be considered for several similar roles while utilizing one application and interview.
Students can apply for these roles as well as Disney Professional Internships that are open to non-alumni and alumni, including Management Internships at disneyinterns.com.

Some of the past UMHB student interns who have continued as seasonal employees
at WDW include the following:
Kayla Jensen (PS-character performer), Tyna Hammond (PS-attractions),
Rashod Holmes (M- character performer),  Jessica Perry (PS-costumes),
Will Johnson (PS-character performer), Steve Nelson (PS-character performer),
 Alisha Osborn (PS- entertainment),  Patsy Cook (CGD-attractions) 

Fall '08- UMHB Disney College Program Representatives:
 Megan Moore, Rashod Holmes- '08
 Courtney Gerome- '11-'12-

 UMHB Disney Student Organization Presidents-

 Adrian  (Tank) Turner-  '08-'09 ,
 Megan Moore.  '09-'11 
Kristen Kitchen- '11-'12 


UMHB Graduates who have served full-time
 at WDW in Orlando:

Steve Nelson (PS)- College Program Intern- Character Performer;
Professional Intern- College Program Learning Center;
Full-Time Employee- WDW Research,
Concierge- Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Guest Relations

Kathryn Munroe (PS)- Front Desk, Disney Hotels

Patsy Cook (CGD)- Coordinator at Blizzard Beach

Will Johnson (PS) - Performer

Joseph Warren (Comm.)- Water Parks

Becki Knotts (Biology/COMM)- Transportation, Drives Big Boats/Ferries

Mary Susan McGarr Delagrange-  Seas With Nemo & Friends, Education Program Presenter. (She interacts with guests, educates them about the aquarium and gives conservation messages, as well as give various presentations. She gives tours of the facility and runs day camps for organizations.)

Ayriel Rush- CGD, Brad Rush- CGD

UMHB Grad- Psych/Biol.;
Full-Time Employee-
Coordinator at Animal Kingdom, Africa; Animal Safari;
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail;
Pirates' League  
See the video
 

Contact Dr. Howard
dhoward@vvm.com
On-Site and/or Distance
Communication Consultation


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