There's a lot of debate on deciding when the best time to do the DCP is. I'm here to chime in and clear up any hesitancy you may have about doing the DCP after graduation.
The Disney COLLEGE Program is marketed as just that, a program for college students to gain experience working for one of the most respected and reputable Fortune 500 companies in the world, all while learning about the company and living in Disney housing. However, a lot of people who have any hesitancy about the program mistake the focus of college students as college-aged students. There is a huge difference between these two interpretations!
I want to clear up right now that you do NOT have to be between 18 and 22 to participate on the DCP! I have seen people who are 50 in the Facebook groups for the program, so if you're worried about being on the older end don't be! Also who cares how old other people are and what they think? If you really want to do the DCP then go for it! At the end of the day it's your life. And as long as you meet the requirements you are what Disney is looking for!
Before we get into the benefits of doing the DCP after graduation, let me briefly share why I chose not to do the DCP during my undergrad. Personally, I always saw undergrad as a stepping stone for the next stage of my life, so I was always under the mentality I wanted to get through it as quickly as possible. Because of this mentality, I chose not to apply for the DCP while in undergrad because I was afraid that would set back my graduation date. That is the only and biggest reason I chose not to do the DCP during undergrad and that was enough of a reason for me.
Even with that I always dreamed of doing the DCP, so I knew I would apply after graduation. As someone who applied for the DCP at the last possible minute, almost a year after I graduated, here are some of the benefits I personally feel like I have from choosing to do the DCP after graduation.
Benefits of doing the DCP after graduation
1. You're more mature
At this point you've probably been living away from home for 4 years. You're used to the independence that brings with it and are more likely to use that independence wisely. Because you're more mature you will also recognize the financial responsibility that falls on you during your time in the program and may be more adept at managing your money than your younger counterparts.
2. Don't have to worry about falling behind
You already hold your degree, which means you don't have to worry what staying away from college for a semester could do to your graduation date. You don't have to worry about picking up online classes or worry about having to graduate a semester late because you already have your degree! You also don't have to worry if any scholarships you hold will be affected or getting approval from your college to participate on the program.
3. You can stay in Orlando
If you choose after your program, it is much easier to relocate to Orlando because nothing is tying you down. If you really like the area you can immediately go apartment hunting/job hunting without having to worry about the headache that comes with trying to transfer universities to an Orlando one or having to deal with the heartache of having to head back home once your program has ended.
4. You can continue to work for Disney
This is personally the biggest one for me! If you really enjoyed your program, you can apply for Part-Time, Full-Time, Seasonal jobs, Professional Internships, etc. Or you can choose to extend your program without having to worry that you'll be two semesters behind in school. It's much easier to extend your time with the company because you already have your degree.
On top of that you can take full advantage of the networking opportunities offered through the DCP. You won't have to worry about making a connection and then struggling to maintain it for the two years you have until you graduate. Instead, you can network your little heart out and jump on any opportunities that may bring.
5. You can experience all Disney has to offer
It's no secret that Disney has some experiences geared towards adult crowds and if you have already graduated from college you probably fit into this category. You can head to Jellyrolls and experience the dueling pianos and spend your night trying to stump the pianists or just singing along to your favorite songs. Or you can check out Trader Sam's Grog Grotto Tiki Bar (if you can find it!) which has a ton of cool effects that go off throughout the night.
Ultimately there's a reason that you can apply for the DCP up to a year after you graduate. If it was frowned upon or held a stigma, there wouldn't be as many grads doing it as there are! All my roommates have graduated college and two of us are in Masters programs. As long as you meet the program requirements which are:
Be at least 18 years old
Have full work authorization (which if you're a US citizen you have)
And be enrolled in an accredited institution having completed at least one semester OR have graduated in the past 12 months
If you meet those requirements, regardless of age, you are golden! Whether you choose to participate in the DCP while you're still finishing your degree or after you have it, it comes down to personal preference. However, if you've already graduated and are thinking about doing the DCP then why not apply? If it's in your heart and in your mind I say go for it! Best of luck and be sure to check out my posts on the DCP application process!
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