Hello! My name's Hannah and sometime last year I can across this fantastic opportunity to become a Disney Cultural Rep- I have been obsessed with it ever since! I am a UK citizen and live here in England, and am 16 years old. I am going into further education next week for two years to do my 'A Levels' at 6th form. I will be 17 in February. I have a lot of options lined up for when I finish these two years, and this program is at the top of my list! If there was someone watching over me who allowed me to get on the program first time, it would be one of the post-august-2012-but-preferably-pre-2013 programs. I guess that means I would have to start applying for it in September 2011 (which is no problem at all). My query is, I wouldn't be 18 when I started to apply, not until February of 2012, would that be a problem? (biggie question ;D) And I wouldn't have all of my 'A level' qualifications when I apply, but would be expecting to have them by the time I would be on the program (if I were accepted, of course), so would that be a problem? Would they prefer it if I already definitely had the 'A level' qualifications (just say that's what they wanted for me to be accepted) or would they, say, give me the opportunity if I got the qualifications I was expected to (like the universities do, 'you have the place if you get these grades etc')? Also, would September 2011 be the right time to start applying? Apologies for so many questions! :-X I have had an urge to work for Disney since I can remember, and the film industry is a huge passion of mine, especially Disney. The thought of working for such a prestigious company just gives me goosebumps! And I'm very sorry if this comes across as if I am expecting to get on the program (I am not, I realise the huge amount of applicants and the hard work required to be accepted), I am just trying to cover all possibilities Sorry again. Thank you so much if you took the time to read this Hannah xx
Hey hun!! Welcome to the boards!! Okay, well one of the girls who was at my interview, she was 17 at application and at interviews, shes on the board, Lucy her s/name is 03goodl and she is now heading out in a few days time! So no, you don't generally have to be 18 upon interview, but you do have to be when you leave//around visa time! I'm not entirely sure about the Alevels, but have you rung Yummy Jobs? They are really helpful, or even e-mail them with your worries because I know they are doing phone interviews at the moment!! Hope that helps alittle!! x
Wow! Thank you so much for the quick reply and for being so helpful! I think I will definitely ring or e-mail Yummy Jobs. Thank you so so much, greatly appreciated! H xxx
As Kaz said above!! You could try to apply September 2011, however Lucy had to wait until January applications- and got her position for the beginning of september. And they gave out lots of august positions from our interviews. You may need your predicted grades, but I don't know whether a-levels are a prerequisite for the program. You won't need them before you apply though, just some experience in some form of customer service- preferably retail or f and b! Hope this helps, and good luck! x x x
Yea, as KatLou has said, A-Levels aren't on the list of "what's needed to get a place". What is, however, is enthusiasm, passion, personality, and experience. Yes, some people have gotten places with little to know experience, but it's few and far between. If I were you, I'd get some kind of part time job that's related to the CRP, and get it *now*. I also wouldn't base ALL your hopes on the CRP. By the things you've said, it looks as if you're also thinking about Uni. If you don't get the CRP, you can always head off to Uni and take part in the ICP summer programs for each summer you're there. That way, you can spend your uni time with a part time - CRP related - job, building up your experience to show yummy jobs how much you want this. I also suggest going to the Disney International Programs website and reading up *everything* you can about the CRP and the ICP. Also check out people's blogs. Personal information can tell you so much more about these kind of programs than the information sites can. You have time before you'll be applying (due to your age). Use that time to your advantage. Find out ALL the info, and get the needed experience. Oh, and good luck!
This I'd say is probably one of the most important things you can do. I only heard about the program just as I graduated from uni, and the website itself was so helpful, but also just read through things on these boards, because there are a number of applicants who are repeat CRPers/ICP and they can give you firsthand knowledge. Also check out peoples blogs as they are really helpful both for knowing what to expect for applying/if you get out there. Deffo get some experience as well, I didn't have alot, just working in a cinema really part-time whilst I was at uni was my main experience, but if your doing that part-time whilst studying or something it shows that your committed, able to multi-task, time management etc. Anything helps really!! Good luck with everything!!! xx
Hi Hannah welcome to the forums! I'd pretty much back up everything everyone else has said! You are in a fantastic position where you know what you want to do and have a few years to work towards it. I would definitely do as much research as you can- find out about the different programs on offer and the positions that you might work during them and then try and get as much work experience as you can relating to those roles! I'm sure when you come to finally apply you can talk about the fact that this is a role you've been preparing for for a while and so they'll be impressed with your dedication. Also, I'd really encourage you to email yummy jobs. They really do want to help you and if you explain everything to them I'm sure they'll give you really great advice as to when you should apply and what else you should do in the mean time. Good luck!!
Yeah, yummy are great and so helpful. I sent an email asking whether it'd be ok to go away around the time my visa was due and I got the most helpful and really long email back! You're obviously very keen, which is what they are looking for- so that's great Yeah, I didn't have much experience- just working at a gift shop on weekends during 6th form and a few hours a week in my library at uni...they just want some experience, and they know that because you're young you won't have loads anyway! And if you do anything else like sports of volunteering, highlight that in your cv too! Don't worry about grades or anything, I mean obviously try your best but Disney doesn't really look much at your academic background, it's more personality and what you can give Disney and what you'll gain from the program! In the mean time while you're doing your a-levels, if you do have any questions you can speak to me (I'll be there from October) or anyone else on these forums as everyone is so lovely x x x x
Thank you everybody so so much! You're all so lovely and so helpful ( a little info i should have put before hand ) I have a part-time job running a tomato stall at markets which I do regularly at weekends- I live on an island so it requires getting up very early (4am!) and getting the boat across to the mainland where I am dropped off with all my stall equipment- I set up the stall and work for 5 hours, monitoring time and keeping nice and organised so I can pack up with plenty of time to catch the ferry (this also requires a lot of people skills haha! if I wasn't a chatterbox, it would be very awkward talking to customers! hehe). By the time I am back on the island it is around 5pm, so I am essentially doing 10 hour shifts every saturday which I really hope is a good basis for my application. On top of this I am regularly babysitting children of family friends and parents' work colleagues in the evenings- this plus the market stall holding will hopefully help towards proving me responsible & reliable ;D I hope I'm concerned that it may not be classed as f&b... I am going out to South Africa next summer as part of a charity research project involving scuba diving and treks which I have been raising money towards for months now- cake sales, variety evenings at school, bag-packing at local supermarkets etc. and I also regularly volunteer at our local cat rescue centre. If I keep all of this up, it will all be good to put in my resume I think! I am on the website all the time, re-reading everything I could possibly know from there, reading reviews of the program, watching vlogs and of course reading the fantastic online blogs (I really enjoy that part! hehe). I have e-mailed Yummy Jobs this afternoon Thank you everyone again! Everyone is soooo helpful :') H xxx
I'd class your job as merch, so I'm sure all your experiences will be fine- you seem to have a lot to put in there! I only had merch experience so that should be ok! x x x x
Thank you, KatLou! I guess A job is better than no job anyhoo! and yes, merch makes a lot more sense hehe ;D xxx
Heya!! Lucy here I'm in a rush so can't read the whole board but answer to your first question i applyed in the January aplication when I was 17 and in my last year of A-levels. I was not 18 till May so was only 17 when I went to the interview and it did not seem to be a problem you just have to make sure you are 18 when you apply for your visa and you go on the prgramme!! It more about work exsperience then grades and age! try get as much exspereince as you can and even if you don't get it the first time keep trying as if you really want it you will get it eventually!! GOOD LUCK!! I'm heading out in 5 days!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH xxx
Hello Hannah! This may seem a little short in comparison to everyone else's super long answers full of info, but I figured I should put my two cents in. I just recently had a problem with applying because of my age. I was 17 when I tried to apply in January. However, unlike most other people it seems, I got an email saying I had to be 18 at the time I applied I was turning 18 in April, but I suppose it was too late. Give it a go in Sept 2011 anyways, it never hurts to try! And Yummy always gives you another date to try on if you don't get through the initial selection. They are wonderful people who will help you on your way to your dreams of working for Disney.
They're used to people applying time and time again, regardless of age! That's why! That's the brilliance of the CRP, it's not like most jobs where once it's gone it's gone. This is a job that they will ALWAYS be recruiting for.
Wow Lucy you must be SO excited right now! 1 DAY!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH! Have an absolutely fabulous time!! (we are all very jealous but wish you the best of luck!) Thank you everyone, again! I e-mailed Yummy Jobs and they were very very helpful xxx
