Imagine spending next semester basking in the warm Florida sun instead of battling the frigid Nebraska winter.
All your days are spent at Walt Disney World, meeting people from across the country, networking with top corporate executives and getting paid for it.
The Walt Disney World College Program will be at UNL today to recruit students interested in participating in next semester's program.
Program participants can work in areas of merchandise, custodial, food service, transportation, recreation, vacation planning, guest services assistance and many others.
"Students have the opportunity to gain all kinds of different things from the Disney internships," said Jeff Tasset, a UNL graduate and alumnus of the Disney College Program.
Students interested in the program must attend a presentation at 6 p.m. in the Nebraska Union to sign up for interviews. To participate in the program, students must have finished one college semester and have a 2.0 GPA or higher.
Full- and part-time students from any major are welcome to attend, but they must complete and print out an online application at wdwcollegeprogram.com.
The program, which started in 1981 with 200 students from 20 schools, now accepts more than 7,500 students from 301 colleges and universities across the country each year.
"Through participating in the program you gain valuable skills that can help you no matter your career path," said Mark Spotanski, a campus representative and alumnus of the Disney College Program.
"You are constantly communicating with individuals from all over the world," he said. "You also are building transferable skills in problem solving, communication and relationship building."
Students work in Disney theme parks and resorts and stay in fully furnished apartments on Disney property with other interns. The apartment complex includes pools, hot tubs, basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts. The complex holds many activities such as athletic competitions and socials.
Participants receive free admission to all Disney theme parks and discounts on merchandise.
Interns are guaranteed a schedule of 30 hours a week with a maximum of 45 hours and make $6 an hour. Once students have completed an internship, they could be eligible for advanced internships in higher, more specific positions in marketing, education, horticulture, human resources and recreation.
The advanced internships have higher wages, which vary depending on the job.
Students also have the chance to earn college credit during the program provided their college approves the courses. Students interested in earning credit must check with the university to ensure the classes have been approved.
The Disney program offers seven courses in business communication, hospitality and service, human resource management, speech, organizational leadership, and a college program practicum.
There are also opportunities for students to earn credit from Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. Not all students go to receive college credit.
"I experienced the program for the experience, recognition, skills and knowledge that I can use in my field, and did not attempt to receive credit," Spotanski said.
The program provides students with hands-on experience in a corporate setting.
"Students have the opportunity to gain all kinds of different things from the Disney internships," said Tasset.
"There are some amazing networking experiences with company leaders, an opportunity to take courses from the Disney company as part of the internship, a chance to meet students from all over the world and an opportunity to build guest service and communication skills," said Tasset, who recruits for the Disney College Program.
Interns with the program often go on to other jobs within the Disney Company.
"You have the opportunity to network with managers and executives during special college program events that may lead to either a career at Disney or give you insight about your own specific career path," Spotanski said.
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