2008 Woodie Awards
Dream it. Do it. Disney.
Natalie Niemeyer
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: News
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"There is nothing else remotely like it anywhere. It is such a unique experience that [students] will remember it for the rest of their lives," Ben Waychoff, former Kirkwood student and current recruiter for the program, said.
Students work at the theme park as interns doing jobs that range from serving food, to operating rides. Students can earn up to $7 an hour and have living costs deducted directly from their checks.
Disney promotes its internships two times a year at Kirkwood and they were on campus Oct. 1 and 2. The Midwest representative, Randy Gonzalez, said he accepts around 10 students each time he comes but there is no set number. Approximately 3,500 students participate in the program every year.
Around 10 of the 25 Kirkwood students who interview make the trip to Florida. Students can go for periods of five or seven months, which include from January to May or January to August.
For student interns joining the Disney family can be a dream come true.
"For so many students, they've heard about Disney all their lives and this makes the Disney dream attainable," Gonzalez said. "It's hard work but you have an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives."
Nicholas Littell, a student at the University of Iowa, said he interns at Disney for the little things. "The best part is watching [the customers] faces," he said.
Although they are spending months in Florida, student interns are not missing out on educational opportunities. Disney offers free courses to their interns. Most of the credits transfer back to Kirkwood. Classes include Advanced Studies in Hospitality, Security, Creativity and Innovation: Gaining the Edge, and Organizational Leadership.
"The Disney Communications course is very similar to Public Speaking here at Kirkwood," Waychoff said. "The Disney difference is the environment and the other students."
The perks for the interns include free admission to the four Walt Disney World theme parks. is just the beginning. Students also get Main Entrance passes that allow themselves and three friends or family members into the park for free up to six times during their time in Orlando.
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