Disney internships draw students, criticism

‘We’re there to create magic’
Despite his concerns, Chambers said the program probably is a good experience for the students because they learn what it’s like in the working world.

Joanna Gonzalez, a University of Florida graduate, said serving fast food in the Magic Kingdom helped her become quick on her feet and overcome shyness.

“We’re not there to flip burgers, or to give people food. We’re there to create magic,” said Gonzalez, 23, who now works at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. “When I worked there, I opened up. The confidence it builds in you is huge.”

Less than half of the students earn college credit during their internships. Those who do pay tuition to their universities and can take classes on subjects such as communications, hospitality management or human resource management taught by Disney executives with higher education degrees. They can earn anywhere from three to 12 credits depending on their school.

“Many times when the students come back here, I have local employers ask me if they can have some of the students who were in the Disney program ... because Disney has such a reputation in the area of customer service,” said Bud Miles, a business professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school sends 75 to 100 students to the program each year, and Miles serves on an advisory board for the internship program.

Disney World offers a more advanced internship program for alumni of the college program. The advanced program offers work in white-collar jobs that are more closely aligned with students’ studies, rather than jobs in the parks or hotels.

Omarr Cantu, who recently graduated from Texas A&M with degrees in history and communications, worked as a ride operator at the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway in the Magic Kingdom four years ago. His experience this summer is quite different since he is working as an advanced intern in the marketing department of the resort’s human resources department.

Cockerell regularly tells college interns that they can handle anything after being in the program.

“Guests walk up to you and ... they expect all the great service and heritage, and you have to know everything about everything,” Cockerell said. “It’s a bit overwhelming. So I tell the college program students, ‘Just roll with it. I guarantee if you get through this thing, you’ll get through a lot.”’

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