THE DISNEY COLLEGE PROGRAM

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Bork

Ashley Bork revieves her certivicate of completion. During her DCP, she learned life lessons that’ll help her forever.

Photo by Gracie Lewandowski

The castle shinning bright on a sunny day in Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is one of the parks DCP employees could get assigned to.

Disney College Program Opens up Career Paths

GRACIE LEWANDOWSKI

Managing Editor Since it’s a paid program, money is taken out monthly to cover the cost of housing. Ashley Bork, now a mom of two and a successful

The Disney College Program is an academic exchange owner of Mama Coco’s Dog Spa, started the DCP in the fall program for college students attending a college in the of 2013. She attended Suny Fredonia in New York and was United States. The DCP is an opportunity for those who accepted into the Disney World program on her first try. are interested in a career path that involves Disney to get Bork said, “I had always loved Disney and went on mula taste of what it might be like in the future. However, tiple vacations there in my childhood. Years before I was students can pursue the DCP regard- in college on vacation, we saw a cast less of their chosen career or interests. member whose name tag said, ‘SUNY According to Disney Programs and Alumnis, when lived up to its fullest, this program gives students opportunities to learn, meet people from all over the world, and make friendships that’ll last lifetimes. It’s important to “ After the initial struggles, I made new friends, new memories, BUFFALO’. My mom and dad were interested to see why her name tag said a college that was near my home. The cast member explained to us what the college program was. From then on I said, ‘when I go to college know all the details of the DCP in or- and learned life lessons I’m going to do that’.” During her time der to decide if it’s a good fit for you. Because the program has many that will help me at Disney, Bork worked in Animal Kingdom, Dinoland as a ride operabenefits, it’s highly competitive to get forever. tor for Triceratop Spin and Primeval

accepted. Applicants must be at least ” Whirl. She said that her favorite part 18 years of age at the time of appli- -Ashley Bork about the experience was learning incation, possess an unrestricted U.S. dependence at a young age. “Go with work authorization, and meet all their an open mind. It may not be what you school requirements. Once accepted, imagined it to be. At first I struggled students who get college credit for with being so far away from home for the program do their school work during free time and the first time ever and even thought of quitting just a few tend to their job at the parks the rest of the time. If not, weeks in. After the initial struggles, I made new friends, students choose a specific educational format based on new memories, and learned life lessons that will help me their interests which then determines which seminars and forever,” said Bork. work they’ll do. The three educational formats to choose Overall, this program can help young college students from include: Spotlight On, Discover Disney, and Disney learn independence, life skills, work skills, and can make Exploration Seminars.When applicants arrive at their memories that’ll last lifetimes. If the DCP is appealing to DCP, whether that’s in Walt Disney World or DisneyLand, you and you’re considering applying, visit https://jobs. students have the opportunity to stay in Disney housing. disneycareers.com/disney-programs.