The things to do for kids to be in Coaster Ind.

Hi I am and 14 year old boy who lives in Falls Church, Va.  I have been excited about Roller Coasters since like 2nd grade.  I always and I know I will persue a career associated with Roller Coasters, but like say Six Flags America in my area, how would I be associalteed with planning for the new rides it will get, whats that job called?  I plan to run my own park in the future to, But I just want to Be able to see my my designs in a patent, ready to be assembled in a real park, whats this job called.  Any out there please help me.

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Va-coaster said:
Hi I am and 14 year old boy who lives in Falls Church, Va.  I have been excited about Roller Coasters since like 2nd grade.  I always and I know I will persue a career associated with Roller Coasters, but like say Six Flags America in my area, how would I be associalteed with planning for the new rides it will get, whats that job called?  I plan to run my own park in the future to, But I just want to Be able to see my my designs in a patent, ready to be assembled in a real park, whats this job called.  Any out there please help me.

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I'm going to take this, and my response, over to this thread --> http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=15960 to keep life a little easier for the moderators.
Check there.
~ Michael ~

Just because you have made sketches of a coaster doesn't mean you have gained the right to, or have the need for a patent.  On that same note, just because you have made a good layout for a rollercoaster doesn't mean that anybody will want it!  As for the planning of a park, I don't know exactly what you would need to do, but there some active threads on this board that deal with the necessary education to become a roller coaster designer.  Check these out, and, if that is truly your dream, never let go.  Never lose your dreams.  With enough work, you will achieve your goal.

Chernabog- you beat me to it...

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Did you know that 1 in every 5 American teenagers believes that the US declared its independence from FRANCE???

*** This post was edited by JoNoJ27 on 11/25/2001. ***

So do you think since I am turning 15 before the summer I should apply for a Job at the closestpark to me which is Six Flags America or Kings Dominion, for some experience and more enhanced knowledge of Roller Coasters.

Oh yea, I can remember I sent some of My designs to CCI and they gave me some feed back on how my designs were good, but I guess your right about not everything derseves to be built.

I would definately try to get a job at an amusement park.  Though it probably won't give you much insight on how to build a good coaster, you will begin to see firsthand the maintenance issues, the day-to-day operations, and, at the very least, you will have a newfound respect for ride-ops!

*** This post was edited by JoNoJ27 on 11/25/2001. ***

cool does anyone or has anyonever worked at SFA or PKD

Hey...if you're gonna be 15, and you go apply for a job, they're gonna hand you a broom and basket and say "SWEEP!".  That's what your big job will be.  Wait until you're a little older.  The closest you'll get ot designing coasters right now is your notebook.  Wait until College.  Just working as an employee at a park won't do anything.
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Bomb Squad Technician

If you see me running, try and keep up!

Yep, my bad.  I forgot that you had to be (I think) 16 (?) to get a job as a ride op....

But, if you  have a year's experience in the park and have shown yourself to be contientious, you have a much better shot at getting as job as a ride op rather than a sweeper when you are 16.

Take classes at your school on drafting/autocad 2000. Thats if your school has those kind of classes.

Working at a park WILL give you an extra weapon on your side.  Most parks choose to hire people for those positions from inside rather than outside;  a strategy to follow might be to work at a aprk year after year.  You may not be a ride foreman your first year at all, but if you worked hard and you come back next year, you will get to that position sometime, and you can move up from there.  Not only will working at a park look good to an amuesment company, it will also look good to any other employer who wants someone with experience dealing with people and leadership.
I will say this:  In a lot of states there are laws that prohibit you from operating machinery until you're 16.  Most parks will have you cleaning toilets or selling food and souvineirs when you're 15.  I would wait until you're 16 or 17 to get a job there, and stay with it.  Six Flags won't let you work on a ride until you're 16 and won't let you operate it unless they feel you're ready for it, so it may take a little while to do that.  And bear in mind EVERYONE wants to work on rides, and some people, especially young, new employees have to either work in a different department or not work at the park at all.  If you can't get a job in rides, take something like cash control or food and beverage, usually by mid-season a lot of people in rides have quit and you can transfer to them that way.

*** This post was edited by MisterX on 11/25/2001. ***

Coaster131, just working as an employee at a park won't do anything? It will give u great knowledge of things u never knew and can be the beginning of openings if u work hard. As far as what MisterX said, it would seem most people would wanna work rides, what about parks like gadv that had staffing problems with rides all year but had plenty of grounds/cash control/foods/merchandise etc.

when i worked at carowinds(1987 88 89) you had to be 18 to work on the rides(operate/line employ)15 16 17 yr olds were games shops and admission attendants

also it was the ride ops that got the  joy sweeping  and cleaning bathrooms

the best advice as to becoming a ride designer is start taking courses that lead to engineering

Hey, working at a park is a great experience.  You get to meet lots of great people, sharpen your people skills [read: learn how NOT to blow up at unruly guests ;-)] and make connections that may help you out in the future.  It's a very different work atmosphere than your local fast food joint or retail store, as you see several different departments work together (for the most part) to achieve a common goal.  It gives great insight into the "real" world of work and how large businesses run.  I'd HIGHLY recommend at least trying out a theme park to anyone.  If you don't like it, after all, you can always leave.

And I don't care what anyone says...RIDE OPS RULE!

digi

Chiller 1472, to answer that...

When the season first starts, of couse everyone wants to work in the rides dept. (this is Six Flags protocol I am following). So, rehires get first priority, anf then you're hired by other experience. this isn't to say you can't get a job when you're 16, but it may be hard. If you can't, I would get a job in another department, then when everyone quits and there is a need for ride attendants, you can get in pretty easy that way. Also, the other departments usually pay more than rides, so many folks will want to stay in the A/C and be paid more. for the crazies, though, nothing beats working at a ride like I did, you learn so much that employers look for, it's a great way to build work experience. It can either suck or be a blast... it's what you want it to be. I chose to make it fun, and it's thr best job I've had!

Ride op is the hardest position. Trust me after working at two parks you realize the "stupid" people follow you...hehe

Like everybody else said, get in where you can, but education is going to be the key!

For me I started working at Wet n' Wild Las Vegas in park rentals when I was 15. That was just a seasonal job. I then worked at a local go kart place. Then I got a job at MGM Grand Adventures (now the Park) where I still work as a ride op. When my shifts went to just on call for special events, I got a job at The Adventuredome at Circus Circus. Here I was able to be a ride op, assist as an area coordinator, and work in the park op office.

All thru high school I "majored" in architecture and engineering in high school with hopes of being a roller coaster designer. Now that I am in college I am realizing that there are more opportunities if you dont limit yourself to one type of career. The more varied your education is, the more chances for you to break in. My major is architecture, but for graduate school im thinking industrial design or something like that. That way I am "marketable" for different types of design. Combine this with the work experience, you get a well rounded person.

Companies today are looking for people who are an expert at one thing, yet can do many things. Honestly, most jobs dont have you starting out at the most desirable position.

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"ok everyone go ahead and pull down on your shoulder restraint so you feel nice and stuck!"