Disney Cruise Line Hosts Career Bound Students
by: Laurie Sallarulo
CEO and President of Junior Achievement of South Florida
Students often learn best when they can connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences — and that’s exactly what happened when Junior Achievement of South Florida Career Bound students from Dillard High School and Atlantic Technical College partnered with Port Everglades and Disney Cruise Line for an immersive career exploration experience.
Through this collaboration, students gained firsthand insight into the diverse career pathways within the port, hospitality, and tourism industries — sectors that play a critical role in South Florida’s economy. Beyond learning about job titles, students explored how large-scale operations function, what skills employers value most, and how different roles work together to create seamless guest experiences.
As part of the program, students are also participating in a real-world business case challenge focused on hospitality and tourism. This hands-on project allows them to research industry trends, analyze business needs, and develop solutions, helping them build problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills that are essential for future careers. Experiences like these bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness, giving students the confidence to envision themselves in professional environments.
This opportunity was made possible through the leadership and support of the Port Everglades team, including Port Communications Manager Helen Boyer, Port Director Joseph Morris, and External Affairs and Marketing Director Ellen Kennedy, whose commitment to community engagement helped bring the experience to life. Students also benefited from the knowledge shared by career panelists Krystal Permanan, Senior Business Development Manager for the Foreign Trade Zone; Nicholas Vandenheiligenberg, Assistant Director of Business Development at Port Everglades; and Dayron Rodriguez, Port Operations Manager at Disney Cruise Line, who provided valuable perspectives on career pathways and industry expectations.
To make the experience even more memorable, students were invited by Jose Corpus and the Disney team to become the very first group to tour Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny. From the Superheroes vs. Villains theme to a behind-the-scenes look at ship operations, the visit brought classroom learning to life in a powerful way. For many students, stepping onto the ship transformed what once felt like distant career possibilities into tangible goals.
Experiences like this do more than introduce students to industries — they expand horizons, build confidence, and create motivation. By connecting young people with industry leaders and real-world environments, partnerships like these help shape career aspirations and open doors to opportunities that can influence students’ futures for years to come.
