Best Reasons to Do the Walt Disney World College Program

It's known around the country and around the world (read on and you'll see why). The Walt Disney World College Program is one of the most fun, most rewarding and most powerful resume-building experiences you'll ever get the chance to do. Ever since I was down there in 1998 as a truck driver for the Kilimanjaro Safaris, I've been a huge fan. Here are my picks for the 5 best reasons to do it (considering I had to choose from about 5 million, it wasn't easy!).

Putting POP on your resume - I've had 3 career-oriented jobs since I left college, and my interviewer and I spoke about the College Program at each one of them. They look for not only the business experience that the job provides, but the interaction and friendliness that you must exhibit as a Cast Member. The reputation of the program precedes itself, and many employers know about it and what it takes to get in. If it's on your resume, that is a HUGE boost, regardless of the field you're going into.

Atmosphere extraordinaire - You'll find plenty of parties and chances to socialize among your friends in Orlando, but there's more to it than that. Walt Disney World wants positive people, people who are excited about working there. Most everyone who is happy about working there is fired up to be down there; to be a part of the whole thing. You'll find positive energy everywhere you go.

The parks are quite a ride - this one almost goes without saying, but I will anyway. Come on, Walt Disney World! This place has been the top vacation and honeymoon spot in the world for the last, like, 847 years or something, and it's for a reason. There's something for everyone. Want just pure thrill-ride fun? It's here. A romantic getaway? You betcha. From the nostalgic and the sporting to the pictures of your kids with Mickey, WDW has it all. And College Program people get as much out of it as the Guests.

From around the world - The Diz (my name for it) gets people from all over the world to do the College Program. When I was there, I worked at the Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Animal Kingdom, driving the safari truck and giving tours. At least a third of my peers were from South Africa and Nairobi, and the surrounding areas of Africa. It's a great chance to learn about other cultures.

Living, learning, earning ... and growing - I had some serious coming-out-of-my-shell issues before I went to Orlando. I love people, but am constantly worried about sticking my foot in my mouth. No such worries there. Everyone I met was genuinely pleasant to be around, and it makes you want to go out of your way to enjoy yourself.

If you have a chance to do the Walt Disney World College Program, do it ... you won't regret it!