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Students accepted to Disney University

Students earn experience while mousing around

Disney University

Daniel McCutcheon and
Jennifer Segovia are interns
at Disneyland.

You may think your boss is a real character, but try having a mouse as your leader. Your job, to help spread “pixie dust.”

This is what CSUB students Jennifer Segovia and Daniel McCutcheon signed up for: days full of family entertainment and a few “grim grinning ghosts.” The pair are the first interns from CSUB participating in the Disney College Program, where students learn a variety of skills, earn wages and college credit all while attending Disney University and working in the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks.

“Students come away with an amazing experience working within a Fortune 500 company,” said Sarah Woodman, Disney College and CareerStart Programs recruiter. “Students have an opportunity to network with many leaders within the organization and have a strong sense of how to operate and be successful in the business world. In many cases, the Disney College Program can help jumpstart a student’s career.”

A jumpstart is exactly what McCutcheon is hoping happens. He is a business major looking to one day be his own mouse, or boss, but would like his next move to be with the Disney Cruise Line. He currently works “backstage” in one of the Disneyland kitchens. “It’s the hospitality industry and I know I’m going to have to work my way up to get where I eventually want to be,” he said.

Disney University

McCutcheon knows he has a lot of work ahead of him and is grateful for the experiences thus far. “Now I’m not as afraid to market myself,” the 24 year-old proudly said.

Segovia is interested in ultimately working for the Disney Channel. For now, guests can see her smiling face at the Emporium general store. In the program she is working to become a Spanish translator and has found a real niche. “(The instructors) have personally taken me under their wing and I’m glad I chose something rare that not everyone else is doing.”

What’s the program entail? “Students can expect many things including several welcome sessions, in-depth training, a role within the Disneyland Resort, and, if interested, an opportunity for housing approximately three miles from Disneyland,” Woodman detailed.

Disney strives to make the student experience magical as well. There are a host of activities for cast members to enjoy. Woodman said they create opportunities for team building through volunteer and community support activities, talent shows, canoe races, and games like “Minnie’s Moonlight,” a late-night, park-wide scavenger hunt.

CSUB students will earn 12 units for the four courses taken during the equivalent of two 10-week terms. There are two terms for students to choose from, either January through September or June through January. Some of the classes include: “Marketing You,” that helps both define a personal brand for career marketing and to focus students who do not have clear career objectives and “Professional Development,” designed to examine, inform and apply the academic models of leadership.

Students are guaranteed 28 hours a week of work and may apply for overtime. They must be prepared to work holidays and weekends, especially during the peak seasons.

Four more CSUB students joined the Disney College Program this summer making for a total of six interns embarking on their own Disney adventure. They join about 400 other interns from across the world.