Social skills

Image: Brittany DiCologero

Future CPs are probably not expecting to learn social skills on their programs—in fact it may be surprising to think that there is still more to learn in terms of social skills. One aspect of the Disney College Program that makes it so unique compared to other internships is the ability to interact with guests from all over the world. As such, CPs are able to learn about different cultural norms and practices without every setting foot outside of the United States.

This exposure comes not only from guests during the work day, but from other CPs as well. Thanks to the International Programs, students from foreign countries will work with and live with CPs. Whether it be understanding words in different languages, or teaching oneself to communicate regardless of a language barrier, there is a variety of understated social skills that CPs will pick up during their programs.

Image: Brittany DiCologero

Other skills may come with the varying ages of guests CPs interact with on a day-to-day basis. All Disney cast members for instance, are taught to get down to a child’s level when speaking to younger guests, so that the guest will feel like an equal, and he or she will not need to look up to you to feel included. Even more than this simple behavior, CPs will learn different ways of talking to guests based on their age. A CP working in Animal Kingdom for instance may explain one of the animal’s behaviors to a child in a way that is easier to understand compared to how this information would be explained to an adult.

CPs are also instructed on how to interact with guests with disabilities. This may seem like common sense, but for many CPs the program will be the first time they need to use such knowledge in interacting with guests, and it will likely be the first job they’ve had that will lay out clear guidelines for how to do so. Simple behaviors like speaking directly to the person with the disability rather than his or her family members, and using people-first language (like “guest who is hard of hearing” rather than “a deaf person”) can make all the difference in terms of providing the best guest service. For CPs, it can also be helpful to get them into these kinds of habits for them to be respectful of others and be taken seriously in different situations.

Handling conflict

Image: Brittany DiCologero

For CPs who have never worked (or have never worked full-time hours) handling conflict, especially in the workplace, can be an entirely new scenario. Whether it be working out an issue with a coworker or dealing with an unhappy guest, any student on the Disney College Program must learn how to handle conflict.

Another perhaps more difficult conflict CPs may need to deal with can come up with roommates. Even for students who have had roommates in dorm-room situation, the housing set up on the Disney College Program is much more independent. There are no Resident Assistants a few rooms over to take care of roommate problems, instead CPs are encouraged to work through their problems on their own. Of course, if the issues persist, the housing team can step in with mandatory meetings, but in general CPs are responsible for working through their own apartment conflicts.