Disney coming to recruit Thursday

Published 6:55 pm Monday, March 16, 2009

Recruiters from Disney CareerStart will visit the Selma Convention Center Thursday to talk to candidates who want a paid job opportunity at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.

The visit is the result of work by a focus group lead by state Rep. Yusuf Salaam and Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson. Last August, Wayne Hampton, the coordinator of the Disney Career Start Program, came to Selma to talk about the program.

Thursday’s presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. High school seniors or recent graduates and their parents are encouraged to attend the presentation. The program is open to anyone who has earned a diploma or GED in the past 48 months. Participants must be at least 18 years old prior to the arrival date at Disney.

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“Having a Fortune 100 company listed on your resume is certainly impressive,” Hampton said. “Students recognize that and it’s one of the reasons the Disney CareerStart Program is so successful.”

Program participants have a variety of job experiences, including working at attractions, in custodial, costuming, food and beverage, as lifeguards or in merchandise or as a park greeter.

Participants live in a gated, fully-furnished apartment complex just a few minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort. The apartment complexes have 24-hour security and on-site property management. Transportation is provided to and from work and to other places, such as the post office, grocery store and local malls.

The rates for housing and utilities are all covered by payroll deduction determined by the size of the apartment selected by the participant.