Getting In The Business

O.K. , So I've thought about my chances on a career with roller coasters, or amusement parks. I would love to work for a design firm, or be a big shot at a park.

Let's say I wanted to work for a design firm. What would it take to get in? It's not like they advertise on t.v. or anything. Now, I'm not saying I want to design coasters, just work for a company that does. (Even though that would be awesome). Should I just show interest, and hope they pick me up? Should I do any kind of internship they may have? Is it even possible to be part of a company without knowing someone in it already?

I've got lots of questions. :)

- Josh *** Edited 7/5/2005 11:57:15 PM UTC by J Bird***

Penn State offers a degree in amusement park management.

You could go to school for engineering, but designing coasters is a hard field to get into because there aren't a lot of new coasters being built each year. Maybe you could work with the electrical or structural aspects of coasters.

You could go to school for carpentry, and work on a woody every day, but there aren't a lot of wooden coasters in the U.S.

You could go to school for business. This seems the most likely way to "get into the business", because all parks need a lot of people to run them (except for maybe Lakemont Park lol).

You could go to school for art. Parks need artists to paint signs, design logos, ect.

I could go on and on...

First of all, know that the industry is small. Really small.

Secondly, get a job at your local park now, work hard, and work your way up. It's a great industry, but it's really unlike many others. In general, people in the industry tend to be promoted from within, not from without.

-Nate

Your best bet world be like Dexter said, learn a trade like carpentry. It takes way more people to build a ride then to design one. Although you would only be working their until the ride was built unless they are steady and have another coaster to build. Still you would more then likely have the summer off to go to parks.

Don't forget these companys also need people in their offices like secretaries and office managers.

For construction you will need a reliable car to get to the job everyday not to mention making the initial drive to the jobsite. although a vehicle is pretty much a given.

I'm just curious, does anyone know how much these people make in a year. Like to actually design a ride? Or the people who work on them? I'm also interested in getting into this, and I was just curious.

I want to get a job working in accounting, but not something seasonal, more like full time. Wonder where you apply for something like that?

Send your resume to any place you would want to work, with a cover letter...You already know this, right?

I think that even if a park is seasonal, an accountant would probably work there year round. I don't know for sure though. If this is not true, then send that resume to a non-seasonal park.

I agree with what coasterdude318 says. In my experience though, I found it impossible to work my way up when i worked at parks. It's very competitive. A lot more people working at parks want to climb the ladder than there are higher positions available. It was my plan in life, and it didn't work out.

Sorry for the double post, but this is really a seperate thought...

I have been contimplating what's going on in my life lately, and just 2 days ago I decided to go to school of some kind of furthering of my education. My interests mostly have to do with the amusement industry, so I am finding this topic helpful to me as well.

I told my Mom my intentions yesterday. She laughed and said, "My 32 year old Son is finally growing up!"

I am trying to figure out just WHAT I want to do.

edit spelling *** Edited 7/7/2005 5:55:19 AM UTC by dexter***