[CaptHook1117]

I am a married student, working on my undergrad in Virginia. Its obvious I can't pack my bags and leave my wife for 4 months for an internship with the college program, however I would love to participate in the non-alumni internship program after I finish school.

I had four questions:

How hard is it to get in the program? Anything they look for, in paticular?

Do they offer the program to college graduates? or for those currently in college?

What is the pay like for a non-alumni graduate? and what are the hours like?

I didn't see any answers to these questions on the website. I have a passion for the Disney company and am looking for any way to get my foot in the door.

Thank you for your advice...

Brian

[PVHNat]

Originally Posted by CaptHook1117

I am a married student, working on my undergrad in Virginia. Its obvious I can't pack my bags and leave my wife for 4 months for an internship with the college program, however I would love to participate in the non-alumni internship program after I finish school.

I had four questions:

How hard is it to get in the program? Anything they look for, in paticular?

Do they offer the program to college graduates? or for those currently in college?

What is the pay like for a non-alumni graduate? and what are the hours like?

I didn't see any answers to these questions on the website. I have a passion for the Disney company and am looking for any way to get my foot in the door.

Thank you for your advice...

Brian

Brian,

How hard is it to get in? Depends on what you are applying for. Guest Relations is one of the hardest advanced internships to get into as there are only 16 slots for it. What they list on the website for advanced interns is really what you need even if it just says "desired qualifications." Now, if you are just planning to do a regular CP, then getting in is based on your qualifications and interview. Depends on whether they like what they see.

If you are planning on going after you graduate, you have to go the semester *AFTER* you graduate. You have no options there. You have to be a full-time student when you apply.

The pay and hours also depend by what you are applying for. For CPs, the pay is between 6.25-6.75 (in some cases for Quick Service Food), but for the advanced internships the pay is more. (How much I'm not sure- but I hear the range is between 8-13 an hour.) The hours also depend on where you are working. You are guarenteed at least 30 hours a week, but usually it's more than that, because of the busy times of the year. Just be prepared to work 40 hours to about 55 hours. (I once hit 60 hours in the summer- CRAZY!)

Here's the way I'm going about it, and I'm an alumni. I desperately want to be in Disney hospitality (hotels/resorts). There's nothing I want more than that. So what I'm doing is, I am going on a CP first (because there is no advanced internship for hosptality) and then while I'm down there, I'm going to apply for a Management Internship for Hospitality. If I get that, I have my foot in the door for management positions. Which would be way excellent! There are only two management positions opened to non-alumni (Culinary and Retail). Anyways, the only downfall to my plan is that I will be coming out of college only making 6.25 an hour (which is way better than the 3.13 plus tips I'm making now!), and there is no guarentee that I will get a management internship. But that's the leap I'm willing to take, cause I'm desperate to work for the company.

Anyways, hope this helps! I'm an alumni (like I said) and I'm a campus rep- so feel free to ask me anything!

PS- one of my best friends is from Lynchburg!! She goes to VaTech- but grew up in Lynchburg, what a small world!

[CaptHook1117]

Wow, that it certainly is a small world. I moved here from Orlando to finish school. I have found that small cities surrounded by mountains are a nice place to visit, but I just don't want to live here.

I am actually interested in several of the "Advertising/Marketing/Creative Deisgn" internships that are listed on the site. There are several under Merchandising and Marketing on the webiste (for non-alumni advanced). Do you know how quickly or hard it is to get in with one of those departments?

Thank you so much for the advice.

[CaptHook1117]

By the way, thank you for letting me know about the application deadline. I was pretty sure I could get in after I graduate, as long as its the session just after graduation. I tried e-mailing somebody in regards to that very question..but never got a response. So, if I graduate May 06 and I want to do an advance internship AFTER I graduate, then I need to apply before I graduate while I am still a full time student.

Thanks again.

[PVHNat]

I don't know much about the marketing (and such) departments, but you need to think experience. (which I'm sure you already have!) That's a big thing for what they look for with the advanced interns. Make sure to look at those "Desired Qualifications," and see what you have or what you could have!

If you are graduating in May of 2006, the presentation will be probably in late February through March as to when you apply. You have to attend a presentation, but they have that at all major universities almost!

Good luck to you! And like I said, anymore questions, let me know!