1. BrodyBaumann
Walt DisneyWorldCollege Program
1. In an interviewing setting, if you were asked“What did the Disney College Program teach you?” how would you
respond? Be specific.
This questionis andwouldbe veryhardto narrowdown and share what I have learned.
a. Be professional all the time:The "DisneyLook" providedme with the tools I need to lookcleancut andspiffy. I
wore myname tagproudlyand learned that evenoffthe clock, I was a representationof the company. This
taught me to keepa smile andcomposure amidthe most difficult times and/or guest situations.
b. Network, Network, Network:I delivered longsafetyspiels, tookorders, gave guests directions, and even
connectedwith people whorecognizedIowa State. I cansaywithconfidence that I amnot nearlyas shyas I
once was. This hastaught me to network withnot onlyguest but fellow cast members andbuildconnections.
This is an advantage for anyone lookingto further their career, no matter the industry.
c. Excellent Guest Service: DuringmyCP, Disneytaught me the importance andkeys to providing excellent guest
service. Cast members attentionto detailgoes unmatched. No one does Hospitalitylike cast members. We
make sure everyone is treatedlike a VIPthat waythe guests remember their visit andleave wanting to come
back. Lastly, I’ve learnedhow efficiencycango a longwayfor someone.
d. Diversityand Cultural Awareness: Whether you are roomingwith International Cast Members or dealing with
large tour groups, your worldhasjust become that much bigger. I have beenable to work andlive withpeople
from different nationalitiesandsome fromplacesI have never evenheardof. I have alsobeen luckyenoughto
experience a diverse workforce where people range from ages 18-79+. Byexperiencingthese things, I have
learnedthat it is important, as a business, to be able to reachallthese different guests.
e. Insight onIdentity:This internship has made me growup somuch, while simultaneouslykeeping the little kidin
me alive. Manyof us left home or even their coast for the first time. Being able to "Live, Learn, andEarn" has
taught me what I was capable of as a young adult. I learned a degree ofindependence that some of us weren't
sure we had inus. I alsolearnedthat happiness comes fromputting others first andmeeting their needs.
MakingGuests happywas fulfilling for its ownsake. You became more selfless. The CPtaught me that it's
possible to 'work hard andplayhard'. Meeting somanypeople has evenput intoperspective what it means to
grow up American.
2. What advice would you give to a fellow Cyclone planning to join the Disney College Program next semester? Be
specific.
a. Guests come first. DisneyCast Members have the abilityto make magic but that canonlyhappen whenyou put
the guest first. Myadvice is to treat everyguest like theyare part of your family. If you always put the guest
before yourself, you will enjoyyour job evenmore andhave s ome trulymagical workexperiences.
b. Love your job, no matter where you are placed. Choose to work hardandhave a positive attitude. If you doyou
will have the best possible DisneyCollege Program. When you are happyat work your managers will notice and
then whenthat time comes when youreallyneedsomething fromthem like a dayoff, earlyrelease or a
recommendation for anextension, theyare going to be happyto helpyou.
c. Do not complain and follow the rules. On the DisneyCollege Program there are a lot of rulesto follow. Know
now before you even sign upthat you are signing upfor all these rules. Whenyou get on your program youare
going to meet lots ofpeople who complainall the time about how theydonot like this rule or that rule. You will
also meet full time Cast Members whocomplainabout their joband spread rumors. I cantell you frommy
experience I have never heardDisneychangingtheir rules because ofCP’s complaining. Complaining is a waste
of energyandyou are not going to change things bywhining about rules
d. Get enoughsleep and bring a car. I thinkthese speak for themselves.

2. 3. Would you recommend this experience to another student? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Even thoughthere were days that I wantedto just packup and leave. The jobs here canbe stressful, but with
that said, I wouldnot give upthe experience that I had. I made some friends that I will stayincontact with for the rest o f
my life. Youwill learnsomuchthere, andof course, gettingto go to Disneyfor free onyour days off waswonderful!
Overall the DisneyCollege Programis a great learning experience that you will never forget. If you are lookingfor a fun
experience andthe opportunityto work at the most magical place onearth, thenit is definitelyworth checking out.
4. How do you think you have changed as a result of this experience?
I have grownupa lot beingdown here, onmyown, 1300 milesawayfrom home. All those things I have previouslylisted as
to what I have learned, it wouldhave takenme a couple more years for me to master those results. I wouldn’t trade
anything for this experience. I have changedinthe fact that I am a lot more positive wheninteractingwith people, I have
strong guest relationskills, and able to interact withall types of diverse people. Lastly, I have more of anappreciationfor
doingthings outside of your comfort zone. I will be more willing to dothings, trythings, and experience things that I was
not wanting to dobefore the program. I willnever want stopexploring.