Record Number of Cats to Invade Mouse House

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 6, 2015)  This fall, a record number of University of Kentucky Wildcats will participate in the Disney College Program. Thirty-one of 39 UK students offered spots in the 2015 program will travel to one of the happiest places on Earth to work. UK students have participated in the program since its establishment in 1981.

"In recent past, we’ve had around 20 to 25 students participate per year. So to have 39 Disney internship offers in one term is really special," said James W. Stuckert Career Center Experiential Education Coordinator Cindy Edwards.

As a part of the Disney College Program, participants have the opportunity to advance strengths and interests, meet guests and cast members from around the world, and take part in educational opportunities students can't get anywhere else. Participants are assigned to one of two locations: Orlando, Florida, home to Walt Disney World, and Anaheim, California, home to Disneyland. Participants get to network with Disney leaders, take part in personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, customer service and effective communication.

Disney College Program promotional video. Read a transcript of this video here

"To make it even better, Disney offers a special course in which the students work on developing a personal brand, workplace awareness and more," Edwards said.

"Disney Marketing You," a course recommended by the American Council on Education, uses directed discussion and cooperative learning experiences to define a personal brand for career marketing and to focus students who don't have clear career objectives. Students will learn how to promote skills of communication, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision-making, self-management and creative thinking obtained while working for Disney and other employers.

Students taking part in the "Disney Marketing You" course will finish the class with a career focus and marketing plan that includes a personal brand, 30-second commercial, resume and networking strategy. Participants will also work on their interviewing and negotiation techniques.

In addition to educational and career skills, the Disney College Program also offers participants discounts to Disney recreation locations, resort properties, cruises and products; health and wellness programs, fairs and seminars; and life-management services.

To be selected for the Disney College Program, students must be currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university and have completed at least one semester of studies, as well as meet school requirements for participation. At UK, students participating in the program are required to enroll in either the Career Center’s EXP internship course or in a departmental internship course so they can actively reflect on their experiences with a UK faculty sponsor. As for type of majors taking part in the program, participants represent a myriad areas of study.

"From English to engineering, this program appeals to students across the board. They know they will gain valuable professional experience, develop transferable skills and join a network of thousands of Disney alumni," Edwards said.

UK's group is already preparing for their fall semester. In fact, hospitality management and tourism senior Raquel Harrington, of Frederick, Maryland, has even created a Facebook group for UK's Disney College Program participants to keep them connected. The students are excited to embark on this magical adventure working for one of the world's most successful companies that has been in their lives since they were children.

"I am a Disney junkie. Always have been and always will be. This is my chance to live at Disney while having a fantastic experience that will give me a leg up in my career," Harrington said.

As part of the UK Division of Undergraduate Education, the Stuckert Career Center mission is to prepare students to successfully connect with employers and post graduate educational opportunities. The Stuckert Career Center is here to help students explore their college major options and career goals, engage in the process of expanding their knowledge and experience of the work place, and to connect with those who can help students on their career path. For more information on the Stuckert Career Center and how the staff can provide assistance, visit www.uky.edu/careercenter.