Since 1981, the Disney College Program has offered opportunities to students at Sinclair Community College and the surrounding area.
The program enables students the chance to travel, gain communication experience and meet individuals from around the country.
Lead representative Kathryn Stibich said the program allows students to intern at Disney World in Florida, or Disney Land in California. Disney World is known to accept more applicants, according to Stibich.
“Participants have the incredible opportunity to advance their strengths and interests [and] meet guests and cast members from around the country,” according to the cp.disneycareers website. “[they are] taking part in educational opportunities students can’t get anywhere else.”
Students who are accepted will work at least 30 hours per week at the theme parks and are able to take college classes through the program, if they desire.
Stibich said students must complete an online personality assessment and take part in a phone or Skype interview before being accepted.
“Once you get accepted, you pay your way down and your way back,” Dustin Stump, a Disney College participant said. “While you’re there, they take money out for rent and the rest is yours to do what you want with.”
Stump also said that the program is open to students of all majors.
“The majors that will probably get the most out of it are hospitality, culinary, business and communication,” Stibich said. “A lot of times when you complete the program, you’re eligible to go on and apply for a Disney professional internship that is more geared towards your major.”
Education majors who have completed the Disney College Program, for example, would have the opportunity to get into the Disney Youth Education program, according to Stibich.
During the internship, students live in dorm-type housing and are bused to the parks.
“The one we stay in is probably one of the closer apartment complexes to Disney World,” Stibich said. “You have a stove an oven, a refrigerator and some pots and pans are provided for you.”
Stump said Disney has requirements to how the participants should look.
“It’s basically called the Disney look,” he said. “If you have piercings besides the ears, the hole cannot be visible and if you have visible tattoos they have to be covered with long sleeves.”
However, Stump said that the program does not discriminate and they look for what makes the applicant who they are.
“They want to create magic for guests that come to there theme parks,” Stibich said.
Some of the benefits of being involved in the program can include a student’s first experience at the theme park, experience for future jobs and a chance to be a more effective communicator, according to Stump.
“You’ve got to be the smiles, you’ve got to be the one to interact,” he said. “You’ve got to step out of your comfort zone and sometimes that sticks.”
After applying and being accepted, it is possible for the student to extend the stay.
“You can go up to four months all the way up to a year if you choose to,” he said.
In order to apply, the individual must be enrolled in college courses and be 18 years of age.
To apply, or for more information, visit disneyprogramsblog.com or contact Jessy Jones at jessy.jones@sinclair.edu or Rex MtCastle at rex.mtcastle@sinclair.edu.