Hey I have just joined the forum! I've been reading the posts with great interest for a while though. About me: Name: Susie Country: UK Age: Almost 16. You may be wondering why somebody who is not even 16 yet is posting on here? Well I am the type of person who plans ahead VERY early. : I'm going to be starting college this year and when I leave college in two years I will be 18 and as i'm sure you have a guessed I want to apply for the CRP then! The perfect gap year between college and university, (summer 2013- summer 2014). I've got some questions to ask, hope you don't mind! Firstly I am going to try and get a summer job this summer and the summer after, possibly working weekends during the college year too. What would be the best sort of job to gain experience from, in terms of applying for the CRP? I will also be using the money from this to save for the CRP, I told you I plan far ahead Secondly I will turn 18 in March of 2013. Will I be eligible for the CRP starting summer 2013? And thirdly, I am a Mormon meaning that I don't drink and go to inappropriate parties etc... I wouldn't be singled out for this would I? Could I still have many friendships and social fun? Also it would be good to have Sundays off to visit church services, I could understand if this isn't possible all the time, but how often would I get Sundays off for religious worship? And finally Merch or F&B? I don't need to decide this for a while yet! But I think Merch sounds more my type of job, but I hear that you struggle for money in Merch? Thanks for reading, look forward to hearing from you!
Hi Suzie! Welcome to the forum I was just like you, I planned very early, and have just recently applied to go out once I have finished college! :O In regards to the job, it depends whether you are interested in the Food and Beverage side of it, or the merchandise... Obviously F&B, you should perhaps try and find a job in a restaurant, and Merchandise, you should try and find a job in a shop... (At least thats what I have done... I got a job in a shop, as I am interested in a Merchandise position)... Good idea about saving the money too!! Sorry, I'm not too sure about what year you will be eligible for, I'll leave someone else to answer that one! I very much doubt you would be singled out... There are people from all kinds of cultures, backgrounds and religions on the program, so people would be pretty accepting. Again, I'm not too sure on the Sundays question... :-\ I have chosen merch, but thats because I have a lot of retail experience, and enjoy it! From what I have read on these boards, you don't struggle for money, but obviously tipped positions do earn slightly more money, even though they actually have a lower base salary. Don't hold me to any of this... I have only just applied this month, but this is the sort of information I have found from lurking on here for a while Good Luck!!
Hi Welcome to the forums Where are you from as that can also determine what positions you are eligble for. I wouldn't worry about specific retail or f&b experience just getting experience dealing with customers anywhere should be fine. The reason I say this is on ym first programme pretty much all ym experience was retail - 8 years of it and I got given f&b I know others who have had the same happen so really any job that gets you dealing with public, working on your customer service skills would be good I dont think you would be eligible to start in the summer but this is going on the old recruitment so it could change for you - it would be more likely that you would get to go out the following year - it's a bit early to really say because they have just changed the process for our applications this month so who knows what the plan will be 2/3 years down the line? I would suggest you e-mail the recruitment ally about 12 months before you want to go and ask them directly. You wont be singled out for your religious beliefs but be prepared for the fact that you are in party central, you might not drink or party but your work colleagues and room mates will. Also be aware that some people may display behaviour you do not agree with due to your religious beliefs or that may clash with what you think is right - not being up on the mormon religion i dont know how the rules and things work for you but at the housing people from all walks of life come together, everyone is entitled to be happy ad to feel secure where they live. There are people of all nationalities, colours, ages, sexualities etc there I dont know what church you would be interested in attending but there is a Mary Queen of the Universe church there - i am pretty sure it is geared towards catholisim but they welcome visotrs form all over there. They have church at 6am on sudays and then other regular services through out the day. Your days off will be determined by your manager. As you gain seniority (i.e. have been there a longer time) you will get the option to give you first, second, third choice of the 2 days off you have or thats how it worked in the UK however unless your working someone where like animal kingdom you should be able to make the early morning services even if you are working if you want to. The church is located right across from the commons and about 5-10 mins walk from other international housing - the exception being vista way which is about 25 mins walk away link to the church is www.maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/ which should give you more informatio. I think there are some other churches in the area that collect you by minibus etc and i know there are some bible groups that run at the housig complexes by the people who live there as well as my roomies went to one
Thanks for the help guys! There is a Mormon chapel right behind the Magic Kingdom that meets at 10am on Sundays currently I believe. Should be close enough. I think they meet up for other activities other times in the week too, so hopefully i'll be a part of that somehow. And I understand that others will of course not have the same beliefs as me, but I'm very accepting and willing to make friends of many different beliefs and cultures. I'm currently thinking of trying to get a job at the local supermarket, that'll be suitable won't it? Thanks again
I'm over 21 and I'm not really a drinker or a party-er. I found that the vast majority of people don't single you out just because you don't drink. Also from what you said you'll be under 21 which automatically excludes you from any official drinking scene so I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem. Any work experience is good experience although I always recommend doing something that you enjoy.
There is a big Mormon following around the Disney area. When I was there one of the housing complexes actually had Mormon gatherings (I'm sorry, I don't know what you'd call it) and they invited everyone to join. Often there were people outside the housing (I think they were called elders...again, I'm sorry if I have this wrong) who would invite people to join their meetings. I would imagine this would still continue in a couple of years and they would be able to give you all the information about where you could go and what things they arrange etc.
When I was visiting Disney in Sep 2010 I actually met up with 2 Mormons on the College Program whilst tubing at the water park. They were quite happy with everything and I guess there are a number of Mormons working there - so no doubt, if you contact a Mormon student group (doing Hotel and Service) you will hook up to some Disney Alumni. I read somewhere else around here that you need to be 18 for an Interview. With your birthdate - that could be critical. Stay informed as to when the interviews are and put in your ap. Job experience is valuable. Being just 18 it would be helpful to have experience in the area you want to work at. Can you handle F&B? There you have the best chances at higher income. Working at a supermarket is fine now - everyone has to start out. But some waitressing would be good if that is what you want to do later. Probably it all boils down to the impression you make and a tad of luck. Planning ahead is smart. Good luck.
