The Disney College Program

“When you invest in people, they remember how you made them better.”

When I first heard about the Disney College Program, I thought it was a clever idea. But after seeing it in action, I realized it’s not just clever—it’s a masterclass in leadership. You take thousands of young people, most in their first real job, and you teach them how to do things the right way. You teach them how to show up, how to handle customers, and how to take pride in their work.

That’s what leadership is about. Teaching. Not just telling.

At Disney, we invest in these college students even though most of them won’t stay with the company. Why? Because everybody wins. The students gain real-world experience that shapes their careers. The guests get great service from people who care. And Disney gets a group of motivated young adults who bring fresh ideas and energy.

I remember telling my son when he graduated college, “Go work for a good company for five years. Learn how to do things the right way. Then you can go anywhere.” He did—and he ended up as Vice President of the Magic Kingdom. That’s the power of being trained in excellence early.

You don’t have to be Disney to do this. Any business can bring in young people, teach them well, and help them grow. Don’t just be the boss. Be the teacher. Show them how to treat customers, manage problems, and take pride in their work.

When you teach people the right way, they don’t just leave better, they leave talking about you. They become your best marketing. People remember the leaders and organizations that invest in them. Are you building employees, or are you building future leaders? The answer to that question might tell you how much magic you’re really creating.