Disney Internship Shapes Career of Music Major

Elly Cheatle, a senior music and English major from Elkhorn, Nebraska, is spending eight months in Orlando as part of the Disney College Program. The program is a competitive internship that allows college students to work at Disney parks and resorts.

Cheatle works in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom, rotating among three iconic attractions: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, and the Swiss Family Treehouse. In these roles, she has developed expertise in operating environments and learned to prioritize guest safety.

The experience has also taught her valuable leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that extend beyond a theme park. She credits her education in the Glenn Korff School of Music with preparing her for Disney's collaborative environment.

Cheatle hopes to continue working within The Walt Disney Company after graduation, considering roles in performance or publishing. She advises students to apply for the program, citing the numerous opportunities and networking possibilities it offers.