Disney recruiter to visit Newark Thursday

Seniors at Newark High School who are undecided about future plans could find themselves working at the Magic Kingdom.

June 9, Gretchen Poese, a Walt Disney World Resort recruiter for a new program called 'Disney Career Start,' will be at NHS to tell students who've not yet mapped our their career path about an opportunity that could not only give them employment for six months at the world-famous Florida attraction, but prepare them for their next career move.

Modeled after a internship program for college students, Disney Career Start gives 18-year-old high school graduates who are accepted the opportunity to work 30 to 40 hours a week in jobs in food service, retail, at attractions, life guarding or custodial. Studetns will take courses designed to identify strengths and interests and help build their skills in problem-solving, written and verbal communication, time management, personal empowerment, relationship building.

'Disney cast members' will be paid $6.25 an hour at their jobs where overtime work is also available. They will live in secure, Disney housing for which they will pay $69 to $87 a week. They do not need cars, as transportation is provided to work areas and shopping areas.

Other benefits, fully explained on the website (Disneycareerstart.com) include free theme park admission and other discounts. Poese will fully explain the program at a mandatory one- hour meeting in the large group instruction room at the high school at 1 p.m. after which she will conduct interviews with interested students.

Studetns selected to become cast members will be notified that day. Three NHS grads have been participating in Disney's program for college students.

They are 2004 graduates Heidi Swartele, who also attends Herkimer Community College, and Chris Parkison, a Monroe Community College student; and Trent Barry (2000 NHS) who recently graduated from SUNY Geneseo.

Amy Conklin, NHS guidance supervisor, learned about the program at a recent workshop at Monroe Community College in Rochester.

Said Conklin, 'It will give them a chance to work for a big company and held them build skills they will need at college or in the work force.'

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