Info Post #9: Learning

There are lots of different types of learning opportunities on the Disney College Program, and "the World" is your campus! Okay, okay, excuse the corny joke. But WDW is definitely filled with opportunities for you to enhance both your academic and professional careers. These courses are also a fantastic way to network with Disney professionals.

There are a couple of different types of learning experiences offered through the Disney College Program:

• Collegiate Courses. All these courses have been recommended for credit by the American Council on Education, which might be helpful if you're trying to get school credit!
• Professional Development Studies. These are major-specific courses that allow students to gain more insight into certain professional fields within the Walt Disney World Resort.
• Disney Exploration Series. This unique opportunity allows students to explore how Disney operates in certain key areas. The sessions are highly interactive and offer great networking opportunities - and best of all, these classes don't have any textbooks or homework!

Collegiate Courses
These classes focus on an area of "Walt Disney World expertise" and are all recommended for credit. As such, they do have textbooks and homework. You can download syllabi for specific courses here. Classes include Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge, Experiential Learning, Marketing You, and many more!

Professional Development Studies
These major-specific courses allow students to study specific lines of business in depth. These classes are only available during the Spring and Fall seasons - so if you were Fall Advantage, you would take the class September-December. Registration is restricted to students majoring in related fields and are offered in the following areas:

• Engineering
• Entertainment Show Production
• Finance
• Security

Disney Exploration Series
These classes are highly interactive and more "experientially based," as opposed to the formal classroom experience offered by the collegiate courses. They don't have any textbooks or formal assignments and provide a great way to gain insight into the workings of WDW and network with area leaders. You can "explore" areas like communication, marketing, guest service, and more!

Other Opportunities
College Program participants can take advantage of other learning opportunities throughout WDW, like the Disney Learning Centers. Learning Centers are located at Vista Way, each park, and many of the resorts, and offer library services, computer-assisted learning, learning activities, and career resources. I believe this is also where exam proctoring takes place if you need it.

There are also an abundance of networking opportunities and speaker series, as well as courses offered through Disney University. Speaker series include the Disney College Program Alumni Speaker Series, where former CP participants discuss their current full-time roles at WDW. And at Disney University, you can take advantage of resources like My Disney Career Series, which consists of five targeted career-development classes.

Oh, I almost forgot! If you plan on taking courses down there, bring more than one "professional" outfit, since Disney requires business clothes during class time.

So while the learning component of the program isn't required, it's a great way to really take advantage and make the most of your time in Florida. I know I'd like to take at least one class so I can really start networking and making those connections in Disney World that will hopefully lead to my dream career! What about you? Will you be taking classes while on the program, either because they are required by your school or because you want to? What are your thoughts on the learning component of the CP? And is there anything else you'd like to know or any questions you have about the classes offered?

Learning?

I'm going to do an info post on the learning portion of the CP soon, so be on the look out for that!

But for now I want to discuss, well, me. I am seriously considering taking a class or two while down there. I don't have to, since I'll be withdrawn from school, but since I want a future with Disney this seems like a great opportunity. There are four that really pique my interest:

1. The Entertainment Show Production Professional Development Study! "The Entertainment Show Production Professional Development Study offers students majoring in performing arts, theater or show production an opportunity to explore how Walt Disney World Resort develops, implements and maintains their productions. Specific topics include Business Planning & Creative Investigation, Concept Development, Show Development, Production & Opening, and Operations. This program consists of eight sessions lasting two to three hours in length." Except this course is major-specific, and I don't know if a Media Studies concentration counts. Which is too bad, because this class sounds incredibly interesting to me and I would absolutely love the chance to network with the brains behind Disney's incredible Entertainment department.
2. Marketing You! "Through participation in this course, students learn how to market their skills of communication, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, self-management and creative thinking. Key elements include the development of a career focus and a personal marketing plan that encompasses the creation of a cover letter, résumé and networking strategy. The students will also learn interviewing and negotiation techniques." This course sounds both super-useful and really fun. What? I'm a nerd! I was reading the course syllabus and the projects sounded like something I would enjoy!
3. Exploring Communication Processes at the Walt Disney World Resort! "Examine how we incorporate our Quality Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency in providing a vast communication network that can respond rapidly to anything, from weather emergencies to disgruntled Guests."
4. Exploring Marketing at the Walt Disney World Resort! "Gain a deeper understanding of how we maintain customer loyalty by both staying true to our brand and marketing our new Guest experiences."

Those last two are part of the Disney Exploration Series - which means they don't have homework! Definitely a pro. If I can't get into the Entertainment Show Production Class, I'm definitely considering taking at least one other class: probably Marketing You. And I may decide to take Exploring Marketing as well.


What do you guys think? Will you be taking a class down there? Do you have to? Do you want to? Let me know!

And, as always, feel free to formspring me any other questions!