WDWCP as a Freshman in college

[antlanedisney]

Hello all! I have a few questions regarding the wdwcp. First, do you recommend doing the program after my first semester of college as a freshman? Is it good to start early? Second, if I'm trying to really get involved with the Disney company is it better I start later on in my education or get into it now?

Thanks in advance!

 

[beyondyou]

My first CP was done after i took 1semester in college. It was a great way to get introduced into the company. You get your name out there and also you can tell if this is really what you want to do. As magical as it is to be a guest at WDW, it's not always so glamorous to be a cast member and the CP can be a great way for you to tell if you would like to work there forever.
My point being, it's better to do it early(i think) so you dont do a lot of schooling then go down to florida and find out you dont like it.
I loved working for the company so much that i'm doing my 2nd CP in spring time

 

[antlanedisney]

So it's an advantage to do the cp early?

 

[David Roberts]

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm currently attending my first year of college (Hospitality Mgmt.) and I've been looking into Disney because...

A. I have to do 400 hours of paid internship my freshman year.
B. I plan/hope to work at Disney as soon as I graduate from school.

Less than two whole weeks in and I've been talking to my advisors and also career planning. My advisor recommended to me that I finish one full year at school and than try the intership. So, now I'm looking into seeing if I can do it from June to January. The point is, I'm not sure any person can you tell you whats the right way. If you don't do it this year you've got 3 more years of college to do it and even do the Professional Intership like I'm planning. It's something that you have to decide for yourself. Good Luck!

 

[antlanedisney]

Very true, I think I'll talk to an academic advisor tomorrow. I was already thinking about switching to a community college next semester to be closer to family that need me. Thanks for your advice!

 

[David Roberts]

Very true, I think I'll talk to an academic advisor tomorrow. I was already thinking about switching to a community college next semester to be closer to family that need me. Thanks for your advice!

No problem. I've had the same dilemna cause I wanna go right now but I'm trying to hold off. What's your major?

 

[antlanedisney]

human resource management.

 

[David Roberts]

Awesome. Maybe I'll see ya down there when ya do the CP.

 

[antlanedisney]

That'd be pretty cool!

 

[beyondyou]

So it's an advantage to do the cp early?

i'd say yes. Just to see if Disney really is right for you early on

 

[antlanedisney]

Even after only 1 semester of college?

 

[TimNRA757]

Even after only 1 semester of college?

That all depends on you. Me personally I have no interest in doing internships etc. I just want my degree in hand so I can walk and fortunately enough for me I can do the CP immediately after graduation (we'll know in "3-4 weeks" if I'm in or not). My intentions after that are to go full time once I find a place to live closer to Orlando than I'm at now. I really had no intentions to work there until half my professors were telling me they regretted it more than leaving the airlines etc. and one prof in particular has a lot of family currently involved with Disney. So to tell once and for all if Disney is really for me or not the CP is the best way.

 

[antlanedisney]

I'll probably do the program next semester if things work out the way I plan. We'll see though, things change right? haha

 

[joanna71985]

I did my first CP after 1 semester. I found it to be a good time (and it helped me choose my major).

 

[antlanedisney]

Thanks Joanna, I'm switching my major from History to Human Resources so I think that working at Disney would help me a lot in the long run.