Where are they now

The Southern University Office of Career Services now offers students the opportunity to develop career building survival skills with its Cooperative Education and Internship Program.
Elton Dominquez, Jr., a freshman business management major from New Orleans, currently works at the Walt Disney Worldî Resort in Orlando, Fl.
“Working here is really a life-changing experience,” Dominquez said. “By working at Disney, I learn how to deal with situations, and how to be responsible.”
“It also teaches me how to make life decisions,” he said.
The resort, spanning 46 square miles, is located on the outskirts of Orlando offering its vacationers a total vacation destination with an abundance of entertainment experiences, which has given it a reputation for being one of the most famous vacationing hot spots in the country.
Today, the Walt Disney World Resort offers a variety of live entertainment shows within its four parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Dominquez, employed at the company’s Magic Kingdom branch, works in the food, beverage and service industry.
His primary job tasks include assisting customers and working the food counter.
According to Dominquez, college students are permitted to work in all aspects of Disney World except for executive positions.
Most Disney World interns and co-ops are required to work a minimum of six months averaging eight to ten hours a day.
Before starting work, students are trained for five hours a day for three days to gain the information needed to do a good job.
When working for Disney, student workers are given housing accommodations at an apartment complex privately owned by Disney located about 5 miles away from the park.
Student workers are also given access to a bus that drives them to and from the theme park.
Dominquez said working at Disney allots him the opportunity to meet people from different countries that he might not have met otherwise.
“Some of my roommates are from other countries,” he said. “I have one who is from Japan.”
Besides gaining the work experience necessary to be a productive adult, student workers get the chance to mingle with other college students through the college program.
They have the chance to participate in movie nights, pool parties and talent shows. Once a month, the college program has a basketball tournament.
As a bonus, Dominquez said students are able to enter the theme parks for free on their off days, but are required to pay for food and other additional items.