Disney offers student internships

With Disney recruiters on campus, students have a chance to become “cast members” at the Magic Kingdom.

“The Disney internship is a great chance to have work experience while being in college,” said Midwest recruiter Irshaun Pinckney.

The Disney internship program takes place in the fall or spring and allows college students to travel and live at the Disney resorts in California or Florida. More than 100,000 students have participated in the program, now in its 30th year.

The program allows interns to live near the park in specially furnished apartments owned by Disney.

“One of the best parts of my Disney experience was living in an apartment with roommates from across the United States and one girl from China,” said Melissa Koglar, a Disney campus representative. “We still keep in touch and plan trips back to Florida.”

Instead of “employees” at a “job,” students are called “cast members” and come to fulfill a “role.” You can work in a number of “roles,” from merchandising, tour guides, ride control and even the parade route.

Junior Lauren George, a journalism major, told of her role in fall 2010 as audience control for the parades.

“My favorite part was to see the parades and even see them rehearse beforehand, but I loved entertaining the kids who were waiting for the parade. We played with hula hoops, parachutes and even hopscotch that I made from duct tape,” she said.

Classes are also available in the Disney internship program. The classes offer a variety of topics, including marketing, leadership, engineering and professional skills.

“I took classes about the history of Disney and the park, backstage tours and education,” said Samantha Ginsburg, a Disney campus representative who interned in spring 2010.

The classes offered are not transferrable to IU but can be included on a résumé.

“Even though it is a paid internship, the money is not the biggest advantage,” Pinckney said. “It’s the experience you gain, the network and contacts you make and the chance to work for the Disney family and become a full-time cast member.”

The Disney internship program also offers professional internships. Ginsburg said she has applied for an education professional internship.

“The Disney internship is an experience of a lifetime,” Ginsburg said. “I’m really lucky to be a part of it.”

Want to join the cast?
Check out the last informational meeting at noon today in HPER 125.