Fullerton State freshman Alex Engelhardt of Hollister truly believes that Disneyland lives up to its billing as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” He has visited the Anaheim park “probably over 50 times” and he chose a college in the same town as his favorite destination.
But it’s not just about the rides and the characters for the 18-year-old San Benito High School graduate. It’s about a career.
Engelhardt is a member of the Disney College Program, a paid internship in which students work the equivalent of a full-time schedule while developing communication and problem-solving skills while working on their self-confidence. Students who complete the program can either re-enroll and take on another role in the program or interview for a professional internship with Disney so they can work in a field that aligns with their major.
That’s the appeal for Engelhardt, a business major who hopes to turn an internship into a job and that job into a career with Disney.
“There are a lot of ways to move up within the company,” he said this week by phone, moments after stepping off the ferris wheel at Disney’s California Adventure.
Through his internship, in which he’ll start off working the attractions in Fantasyland, he hopes to take the skills he obtains and apply that to a management or guest services position within the company.
“It’s about interacting with people and taking initiative,” he said.
It’s also about getting a behind-the-scenes look at his favorite place on Earth.
“We get to see a lot of the backstage area,” Engelhardt said. “For me, it adds to the experience, learning how the park works and seeing how the magic and the experience are created.”
When the internship expires in January, Engelhardt hopes to continue his affiliation with the Disney company as he works toward his college degree.
“I can either do a program at Disneyworld or they have professional internships in the business unit,” he said. “I like the experience they create for guests, making them feel welcome and respected. Pretty much anybody of any age can get something out of Disneyland.”
Adam Breen teaches newspaper and yearbook classes at San Benito High School and is a reporter for The Pinnacle. He is former editor of the Free Lance. Email him at ab****@pi**********.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamPBreen.
