CareerStart - A Mouthful of Questions.

[LAPVLB]

Hey, fellow Disney-obsessed maniacs! (No offense. Of course.) First time post. Exciting.

Anyways, just have a few quick questions about CareerStart, hoping to get some input. First off, what are the chances that I'll be accepted into the program? This has been the driving force behind me for the better part of a year and suffice it to say that I would be crushed if I didn't get in! Second, it looks like there are some new offerings for the 2008 programs, specifically in transportation. Does this mean I could possibly be piloting the monorail or driving a bus? Seems unlikely that Disney would let a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds run their transit fleets... And, finally, if I were to be in operations, what are the chances that I would be placed in an attraction (the Mountain Range comes to mind...or something fun like Test Track) and not parking?

Wow, quite the mouthful, I know, but any inklings of help would be fantastic. Thanks, and I'll see you around the World

 

[c133125]

Im pretty sure career start is only custodial. At least all the people I know in career start are custodial.

 

[LAPVLB]

I hope not. everything on their web site says I can choose from ops, merch, food service, etc. Any ideas otherwise, especially on acceptance and placement? thanks!

 

[disneygirl746kt]

All I can do is reassure you that there shouldn't be a reason for them NOT to accept you. I just applied for the Career Start program back in February...and I got accepted. The only choices I had for the program was Full Service Food and Beverage, Quick Service Food and Beverage, Merchandise, Costuming, Lifeguard, operations, and Custodial.

And my second choice was merchandise, which is what I got. (I had picked full, merch, quick, and costuming) I arrive August 27th. So I'm not exactly sure how the new system will work though.

But I did want to say there shouldn't be a problem getting into the program.

 

[LAPVLB]

oh my gosh, you just made my day. i want to do this so badly! thank you!

what's the excitement level like right now? are you about to explode? i've got a whole year to go and i think i might die if i have to wait!

 

[tinkerbell88]

Im in disney doing the career start program right now and I am doing merchandise at Epcot. If you have any specific questions just ask me ok!

 

[LAPVLB]

Im in disney doing the career start program right now and I am doing merchandise at Epcot. If you have any specific questions just ask me ok!

cool thanks i already destroyed your inbox with a 2 page PM lol

 

[RonMaverick804]

cool thanks i already destroyed your inbox with a 2 page PM lol

if you still can, could you post your questions you sent him and his responce

 

[ZambeziZelda]

Not to burst your bubble or anything....but I'd recommend getting a year or two of college under your belt first and then doing the CP :wave:

I had a blast on my Program, but looking back, I really think my life would be a little more organized if I had just been patient with my dreams of being a CM as opposed to jumping into the CareerStart Program right after high school.

 

[LAPVLB]

yeah, i've mildly considered waiting. i think about how it could possibly screw with my college schedule a little, but i really don't think i want anything as badly as this right now. except cheaper gas, maybe.

sounds impulsive, and i guess it is, but i really want to do it-- asap. this kind of seems like my chance to prove to everyone that i can live on my own and not die. i need that chance. thanks taryn

 

[sum41914]

Hey, fellow Disney-obsessed maniacs! (No offense. Of course.) First time post. Exciting.

Anyways, just have a few quick questions about CareerStart, hoping to get some input. First off, what are the chances that I'll be accepted into the program? This has been the driving force behind me for the better part of a year and suffice it to say that I would be crushed if I didn't get in! Second, it looks like there are some new offerings for the 2008 programs, specifically in transportation. Does this mean I could possibly be piloting the monorail or driving a bus? Seems unlikely that Disney would let a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds run their transit fleets... And, finally, if I were to be in operations, what are the chances that I would be placed in an attraction (the Mountain Range comes to mind...or something fun like Test Track) and not parking?

Wow, quite the mouthful, I know, but any inklings of help would be fantastic. Thanks, and I'll see you around the World

Parking, whether you like it or not is an attraction and is really fun. Last year we had two Career Start Programs in the Lot. I was speaking with a friend of mine on the College Program Recruiting Team, he's one of the people who decide if your in or not and where you'll be placed (Role wise) and he said that all roles are given based soley on your interview. They give the jobs with the most guest interaction to people they beleive can handle it (Parking, Park Greeter, plus many more) and the people who they think can't handle the magnitude of guests less guest interaction (Control Towers, backstage operations, ect..). Parking deals with so many people in the morning and then again at night. The people you see in the morning you'll be seing in the evening. Much better than pressing a little button over and over. My roommate who works Space Mountain absolutely hates seating and dispatch. But really the jobs are what you make of it. Personally, I hated standing the Parking Lot for 8hr or more during the day, but then about a month into it, the lot was awesome. We got 3 Hour Lunches and 2 Hour Breaks, many times I got an ER and could enjoy the rest of day. Plus you get to yell at guests all day for their safety, and speiling on the tram is so much fun. Im in QFBS now and really want to pick up a Parking shift. So what I am trying to say is don't knock the job until you've tried it. You make the job what it is.

Good luck to you if you are going to pursue the Career Start Program, and many kudos to you for thinking about waiting it out and going to college, trust me Disney WILL be here in a few years, it doesn't appear to be going away too soon. Im very glad I'm on the College Program, it gave me a chance to get away from home, and live on my own for 8 months.

Have a Magical Day!

-Jonathan

 

[LAPVLB]

that's true. i really should just see what i get and make the best of it. i guess i was just a little hesitant on parking because it really just seems like you stand alone in the sun for 1000 hours a day. but in all honesty, something where i can work with a ton of fellow CMs and have tons of guest interaction would be right up my alley, whether it's merch or quick service food, parking or an attraction. thanks for the reality check lol

P.S. I am going to college, just wanna get this Disney thing done. i also think that the opportunity for college credit is a huge plus. i would definitely take full advantage of this, seeing as i can network with a fortune company and apply that to college and beyond.

 

[ag2000]

you should apply soon if you have been waiting a year or so. I think i read you have to have graduated highschool within the past 18 months. You can always do the college program, youd have the chance for monorail thats what i wanted but they gave me custodial, oh well.

 

[LAPVLB]

you should apply soon if you have been waiting a year or so. I think i read you have to have graduated highschool within the past 18 months. You can always do the college program, youd have the chance for monorail thats what i wanted but they gave me custodial, oh well.

oh, sorry i wasn't very clear. i haven't graduated yet, i just meant i've been wanting to do this for a long time. and i think you can do CS up until 48 months after graduation. it was some ridiculous amount of time like that.

 

[emagine28]

I worked with Jonathan in the parking lot during my College Program. It only takes a couple weeks to realize how much better it is than any other operations job out there (except maybe Haunted Mansion). The breaks are almost as good as Characters, and the work is soo easy. When I found out I was in parking I just wanted to go home, but I'm glad I gave it a chance, because it was a great experience and the most fun I've ever had. When I go to Space Mountain and I see the CM's rushing around asking how many people in your party over and over again, I really feel great about how easy (and fun) my job was.

 

[LAPVLB]

I worked with Jonathan in the parking lot during my College Program. It only takes a couple weeks to realize how much better it is than any other operations job out there (except maybe Haunted Mansion). The breaks are almost as good as Characters, and the work is soo easy. When I found out I was in parking I just wanted to go home, but I'm glad I gave it a chance, because it was a great experience and the most fun I've ever had. When I go to Space Mountain and I see the CM's rushing around asking how many people in your party over and over again, I really feel great about how easy (and fun) my job was.

you guys seem pretty taken on the breaks (which are how long for parking?) from my experience working in oregon, we don't get paid past 15 minutes when we go on break, and i think i would like to be paid for being at work all day so i have enough money to pay for the apartment. and food. that's pretty important sometimes. and from what i'm hearing here, i think i might enjoy parking a little more than i thought i would.

so i guess i have two questions now: what are the different areas of working in parking (i.e. tram, toll booth, etc.) and what is the deal with the breaks? thanks to both you and jonathan for your input

 

[emagine28]

so i guess i have two questions now: what are the different areas of working in parking (i.e. tram, toll booth, etc.) and what is the deal with the breaks? )

If you work in the parking lot, you'll primarily be either driving or spieling on a tram, or parking cars out in the lot. The Auto Plaza is a different job altogether, and although they wear the same costume, they do not enjoy the same breaks as someone in the parking lot does.

As far as breaks go, you have scheduled breaks every two hours. i.e., if you start your shift at 8am, you have scheduled breaks at 10, 12, 2... When it's time for your break the coordinator will pick you up in the van and take you to the break room. Say you're on break for 45 minutes (an average break), you get back to work at 10:45, and you know that your next break is only an hour and fifteen minutes away. Pretty sweet. Of course, its not exactly a science, sometimes breaks are early/late short/long, but overall you're probably only working a little more than half the time you're at work.

 

[disneygirl746kt]

How are the breaks for others...like merchandise, full and quick service food and beverage, and all the others?

 

[LAPVLB]

If you work in the parking lot, you'll primarily be either driving or spieling on a tram, or parking cars out in the lot. The Auto Plaza is a different job altogether, and although they wear the same costume, they do not enjoy the same breaks as someone in the parking lot does.

As far as breaks go, you have scheduled breaks every two hours. i.e., if you start your shift at 8am, you have scheduled breaks at 10, 12, 2... When it's time for your break the coordinator will pick you up in the van and take you to the break room. Say you're on break for 45 minutes (an average break), you get back to work at 10:45, and you know that your next break is only an hour and fifteen minutes away. Pretty sweet. Of course, its not exactly a science, sometimes breaks are early/late short/long, but overall you're probably only working a little more than half the time you're at work.

now i'm not trying to bash the break situation (that's a pretty cool setup) but would you get paid for any of the break? the money is going to be pretty tight depending how many hours/apt type/food/gas/etc.

and what is this "auto plaza?" sounds kinda neat...lol

 

[emagine28]

now i'm not trying to bash the break situation (that's a pretty cool setup) but would you get paid for any of the break? the money is going to be pretty tight depending how many hours/apt type/food/gas/etc.

and what is this "auto plaza?" sounds kinda neat...lol

You get paid for all of your break time, outside of 30 minutes that is automatically taken out for lunch on the computer. So, if you work an 8 hour shift, you will get paid for 7.5 hours, regardless of how long you're on break.

The auto plaza is where you stand in the toll booth all day collecting money from cars. From what I hear it's pretty easy, but extremely boring, most CP's I've talked to haven't liked it too much.