[Andrea]

As I've been reading these threads... how is the college program different from just having a job at McDonald's while you're in college?

Location, obviously... but are you getting credits? What's the deal?

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by Andrea

As I've been reading these threads... how is the college program different from just having a job at McDonald's while you're in college?

Location, obviously... but are you getting credits? What's the deal?

They go to classes and get credit for it...I am not sure how much or what classes but I remember some of them talking about it awhile ago.

[Screever]

I didn't take any of their classes while I did the CP. It's different for everyone, but for me, it was an excellent way to stall for time. I was a freshman in college (community college) not settled on a major, and while the CP didn't earn me college credit, I earned alot of /life credit/. (Working for a big company isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but its ten times better than mcddonalds, and I know because I was working with fast food at Disney and serving happy and unhappy people alike!)

If you're smart and not spending your time getting plastered, you get experience with time management, a whole load of general professional skills, social skills (my roomates were pretty much ew...) and they offered alot of activities and sort of 'hands on lectures' by Disney higher-ups. Obviously geared more towards those wanting to get into communications, HR, and such, BUT...inadvertently, my time spent down there is responsible for pushing me towards art, which led me to art school, which is awesome.

Like I said, its not the same for everyone, and I consider myself very blessed to have had a pretty good experience. I've talked to people who hated it, and people who loved it, and people who thought it was okay. I would strongly recommend it for freshman/anyone who is floundering and in need of career direction, unless you have the money and time to take a few months off school to party.

Also, by doing the basic college program, it gives you leeway into their Professional Internships, which is more focused for your own interestsl marine biology/zoology at Epcot/AK, the obvious business choices of course, graphic/internet/game design, marketing, television...ALOT of stuff. And if nothing else, a pro internship will look really good on your resume. I'm hoping to land one myself in about a year.

What did you expect, a short answer? I'm a darn Campus Rep for the Program. Hope this answered your question, Andrea!

[Andrea]

Thanks, Screever! I'm glad you took the time with a long answer. That was really interesting.

[KarenWDWCP]

They have changed the college credit/classes around a bunch of times since the program started. When I was there, we had to go to 8 business seminars regardless of whether you were getting college credit or not (I was not). I think a majority of the people I met there were getting some sort of credit for the program. Now I think whatever classes they have are optional.

I did the program 2nd semester of my junior year when many of my friends were going abroad. I was planning on taking that semester off anyway as I had enough credits to graduate in three and a half years but still wanted to graduate with my class in May 2001. My plan was to either come home to Boston and get some sort of internship here for the semester or do the CP. February in Orlando sounded much more pleasant than February in Boston!

I can't stress how different the CP is from just working part time at a different place even if you don't take any of the extra classes. The training I received down there for my regular role was more than I have had for almost any other job and really influenced my attitudes towards work and general business organization. It was a really great experience!