Applications are currently open for the Spring 2025 Disney College Program!
For more than 40 years, Disney Programs like the Disney College Program have helped tens of thousands of participants begin their dream careers. Chances are, you might even know one of them!
Earlier this year, we shared top career tips from Disney executives and leaders who got their start on the Disney College Program. Now, four of my fellow cast members and leaders are sharing how this unique internship program helped them land their dream jobs:
Kellen, Lead Technology Initiatives Program Manager, Disney Experiences
Internship: Merchandise, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2023)
Why she chose the Disney College Program: “I decided to go back to school to get my master’s degree after being in the professional world for almost 15 years. Doing the Disney College Program after I graduated allowed me to learn Disney’s culture, learn the lines of business and determine where my skills best aligned and how I could support with the experience I had.”
Top takeaways from her experience: “I learned connectivity and collaboration. I can also understand both the technical side and user side of the guest experience and bridge that gap. I can give first person feedback about the systems we use in a way that’s helpful to the team here. The perspective and experience you gain are huge.”
Why she recommends the Disney College Program: “You can’t find the unique experience that Disney offers anywhere else. I’ve done different jobs and internships. The level at which the operation runs, the people you meet, the support they give participants and the personal benefit of getting to experience the magic firsthand are unmatched.”
Daniela, Guest Experience Manager, Food & Beverage, Magic Kingdom Park
Internships: Food & Beverage, All-Star Movies Resort (2020) and Be Our Guest Restaurant (2021)
How the Disney College Program kickstarted her career: “The Disney College Program was my first time working in food. It was completely different than anything I had done before, but I quickly realized it was the career I wanted to follow. I changed my entire career based on my experience there.”
Top takeaways from her experience: “Knowing what it’s like to be in a support role gives me better insight when it comes to engaging with cast and guests as a leader. I can see things from both perspectives.”
Why she recommends the Disney College Program: “The benefits are an awesome plus. As a cast member, I got to experience new rides first before anybody else and sign up for fun Disney Programs events like backstage tours. You become the expert for your family and friends, and you get to bring them in to experience the parks.”
Advice to future interns: “Work hard. Show that you’re a hard worker and you’re striving for something, and your leadership and team will advocate for you. You never know when a six-month program could turn into a lifelong career.”
Myles, Event Specialist, Disney Experiences
Internships: Food & Beverage, Amorette’s Patisserie (2022) and Communications Events Intern, Disney Experiences (2023)
How the Disney College Program kickstarted his career: “In college, I fell in love with event planning as a profession. The Disney College Program and Disney Internships were my foot in the door with the company and gave me a safe way to explore and try out my desired career field.”
Most memorable moment: “When I lived at Flamingo Crossings Village, I met a manager on my team at a panel she was participating in about event planning and operations. We built a connection, which led to me joining the team when an internship opened up. I didn’t know that my team existed until I went to that panel. My team didn’t know that I existed until I went to that panel. That’s one of the things I love most about the program.”
Why he recommends the Disney College Program: “There are avenues specifically to help Disney College Program participants find full-time roles. There is housing, there is transportation. You can figure out what you want to do and who you want to be without throwing all the responsibility of adulthood on you fresh out of college.”
Advice to future interns: “Give it everything. Bring your whole self to every email you send, every meet and greet you do, every interview you have. Take whatever lessons you learn in your role and use them to catapult yourself ahead. Do everything in earnest and sincerity because when you are truly yourself, that’s when you’ll succeed.”
Rebecca, Financial Analyst, Facility and Operation Services, Walt Disney World
Internship: Merchandise, Disney Springs (2020) and EPCOT (2021)
Why she chose the Disney College Program: “After I graduated with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I had a few job offers lined up, and I knew I could go into the professional world or I could go follow my Disney dream first and use the program as an opportunity to get my foot in the door.”
Top takeaways from her experience: “There is so much about the parks you need to understand in order to work in construction like I do. When I go into conversations about flooring or point of sale systems or walkways and accessibility, I have perspective that I wouldn’t have had with just a finance degree. I can visualize what we’re doing.”
Advice to future interns: “Come get general work experience that can apply to other things. Go to learning events that introduce you to different industries so you can meet real people doing these jobs. Something might resonate with you that you’ve never considered. If you’re willing to utilize everything that is offered to you, you can get different tastes of so many areas within the company.”
Interested in starting your #DisneyCastLife? Visit DisneyPrograms.com to learn more and apply today!