An Amusement Industry Future [Archive]

Thriller93

11-17-2007, 12:11 AM

I don't know if any of you will have an answer for me but its worth a shot.
I've been into rollercoasters and theme parks since I was 3.I used to draw up sketches of them(not great but pretty dang good for a 4year old) all the time. I've been completely obsessed with them since. To me rollercoasters and themeparks are sort of form of art. But any way back why I'm posting this.I was wandering where someone like me who either wants to build there own amusement park or open Rollercoaster construction company would start.Such as a collage and degree and any thing else you might need to pursue that career goal. I am one hundred percent dedicated and serious about this and will go to the max to achieve one of my biggest goals in life. I just got a fortune cookie the other night that read "You will be unusually successful in a business". I found this to boost my confidence in what I want to pursue.

Thank you for your time
Thriller93:)

Dan

11-17-2007, 12:32 AM

To run your own park, you'll want to major in some sort of business, or go to a business school. If you want to start a construction company, you'll want to have engineering degrees and be a great physicist.

Tom

11-17-2007, 12:53 AM

Business Management is a safe bet no matter what. Marketing will also help. That is what I am majoring in, well minor in management. Find a school that has a good business school, it definitely makes a difference. Cal State Fullerton has a really good business school, but one of the best in the country, for being guaranteed a job after graduation is actually Kansas State, the school I am attending. Business school students have a I want to say 93% job placement after graduating, one of best in the country. Enough of giving my school some publicity.

Something I highly recommend is to take German. If you do get into the field, German is a good language to know, being the language of Business in Europe. I am as well looking at the same thing and I think I will be studying abroad for a semester, just to get a more natural feel for the German language.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thriller93

11-17-2007, 01:14 AM

Thanks alot guys is there any licenses you might need to do these things

Dan

11-17-2007, 01:19 AM

I'd start with getting the business and engineering degrees before worrying about licenses.

Thrill Reconnoiter

11-17-2007, 01:44 AM

First, welcome to the site. Please read our forum policies here: http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/community/showthread.php?t=2

This is general amusement content, so I'm moving it to the General Coasters and Amusement News forum.

p0tat0

11-17-2007, 05:11 PM

And for engineering, go to cal poly :) like meeee

Almost any degree will help you out later on, just not liberal arts =P

Tom

11-17-2007, 06:08 PM

Kansas State also has a good engineering program, but if you want engineering, Purdue is the place to go probably. Liberal Arts could work in HR but otherwise, no.

FX-1

11-20-2007, 04:55 PM

I'm obviously nowhere near graduating high school, but I'm in PLTW engineering courses at my high school, and I've been thinking about going into rollercoaster design. I figured I'd get a degree in the proper form of engineering (still need to do a lot of research) and apply for one of the major manufacturers, like Arrow (again, research). Then I'd see how it goes and depending on what things are like in a few years I might consider imagineering at Disney (and again, research :) ).

p0tat0

12-28-2007, 03:58 AM

^Hey! My ol HS has the PLTW course now. I wish it had it when I was there, but that wouldn't matter because I ended up where I wanted. Goodluck with your career, several of us are in the same position lol.

Michael

12-28-2007, 02:27 PM

^ as does mine, it's a great program :)

rollercoasterfreek

12-29-2007, 12:34 AM

I don't know where you are from but I would recommend to take business management for sure. Being an entrepreneur would lead to alot of help there. Take Engineering. Preferably take Mechanical engineering. Colleges that are good for that I cannot mention. There are too many out there. Some include, University of Texas (Longhorns), Texas A&M (Aggies), Cal (Bears), UCLA, Cal Poly SLO, Oregon State (Beavers), Georgia Tech (Yellow Jackets), Purdue (Boilermakers), Illinois, and Much more!

Better yet go to San Jose State since I am going there for engineering.

When it comes to languages, I would think learning Japanese would help. There are alot of Business people who do speak Japanese out there in the world and USA.

p0tat0

12-29-2007, 05:16 AM

rollercoasterfreek

12-31-2007, 02:46 PM

The acceptance rate is so low for Cal Poly SLO when it comes to majoring in engineering. I know a guy with a 3.2 GPA who was accepted since he majored in something else but the valedictorian was rejected since he wanted to do mechanical engineering. At least SJSU accepted me despite my grades not being the highest.

p0tat0

12-31-2007, 08:46 PM

I got in and my GPA was 3.23 with 1680 SATs. Well for SLO they only look at your verbal and math, so that was 1210. Not amazing scores, but hey I got in. GPA and SATs aren't everything, they also look at other stuff you do, like I was in FIRST robotics. Lots of schools have the program, you might too.

I got a friend at Gtech, he said he loves it there. Especially since he joined a frat.

Are you a senior as of right now? Did you apply to SLO? They let everyone know on April 1st. and no it won't be a joke lol.

SLO can be kinda weird in accepting people. Like I know a girl who got accepted to UCLA but not SLO? It's almost always the opposite happening.

When it comes to languages, I would think learning Japanese would help. There are alot of Business people who do speak Japanese out there in the world and USA.True true it would help, but only if you have a relation type job too. For starters all you do is sit in front of a computer and do CAD pretty much. Of course you got meetings along with that, but it would be English no matter what.

rollercoasterfreek

12-31-2007, 09:26 PM

I wish I could go to GT or VT.
I have always wanted to say "I'm a hell of an engineer" as it says in the rambling wreck fight song. VT talks about being "techmen" as well in their Tech Triumph song.
I am going to San Jose State (As it shows in my avatar) when it is fall. April 1st?!?!?!? that's crazy!

Our school does have robotics. I chose not to apply since my grades weren't great. UCLA is only a dream. I wish I was accepted there but I was easily rejected. I didn't apply to SLO since the odds were so slim.

p0tat0

12-31-2007, 09:34 PM

Whhatt? If you applied to UCLA you should of applied to SLO too. I know I would of been rejected to UCLA, so I didn't apply there. O well, that's cool you got in to San Jose! Have fun!

Nate

12-31-2007, 09:46 PM

Honestly the school really isn't that important, it is what you do. Sure a school might help you get your first job, but after that, you are the only one who helps you get anywhere. Don't worry about where you go to college, worry about learning as much as you can. Just make sure the school you choose has all of the necessary certifications for your degree and you will be fine.

If you are looking into your own park a business degree would be the best. Also take into a account a hospitality interest because having an eye for that will serve you well.

Dan

12-31-2007, 11:08 PM

Honestly the school really isn't that important, it is what you do. Sure a school might help you get your first job, but after that, you are the only one who helps you get anywhere. Don't worry about where you go to college, worry about learning as much as you can. Just make sure the school you choose has all of the necessary certifications for your degree and you will be fine.I haven't gone through all this yet, but I do know that getting a PhD from Yale looks more appealing to a company than getting one at a small, mediocre college.

p0tat0

01-01-2008, 08:00 PM

Everything you both said is true. Hell any degree will help you find a job, even if the job isn't even close to what you got your degree in.

Cal Poly is the #1 public engineering school according to USNews (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/topprogs_nophd_brief.php)

Tom

01-02-2008, 12:19 AM

To answer the language/Japanese question, German is all I will say. German and English are probably the two most important languages to know. German, business language of Europe, English, language of the world.

You cant go wrong majoring in engineering going to a tech school, Purdue, obviously, is good. And [plug in school advertising] Kansas State has a very good Engineering program and is a very good school.

Frat's are a good option if you are going somewhere where most of your friends are not going. I am not in one, but I have almost joined 2 different ones, as they do amazing things for networking and getting jobs.

Michael

01-02-2008, 12:45 AM

Purdue, obviously, is good.

Haha, you obviously know your engineering schools! :D

Nate

01-02-2008, 09:16 AM

I haven't gone through all this yet, but I do know that getting a PhD from Yale looks more appealing to a company than getting one at a small, mediocre college.

It's not where you get them from, as long as the school is credited and you can do the job, there is no reason for a company not to choose you. A lot of big name schools just mean that they cost more money and have a larger alumni base. If you go to a small school and can exhibit that you do a job better then someone from a big school, you are going to get the job.

Don't put too much emphasis on the school, it's what you do/learn with what you are given. Only for your first job will they look at which college you went to, after that, you need to be your own champion.

rollercoasterfreek

01-02-2008, 03:12 PM

It also depends where you want to work. San Jose State is in the heart of Silicon Valley. Companies like Adobe, Yahoo!, Apple, Google, Ebay, Intel, McAfee, Logitech, Sony have their headquarters there. Alot of companies were founded there too. San Jose State has majority of Computer engineers who work in Silicon valley.

Cal Poly is probably the top public engineering school depending on what poll it is based on.
I can argue UC Berkeley (Cal Bears) is on the top of public schools as well.

MIT is probably the top of everything in engineering. If you get a degree from a private, there is a better chance of more companies wanting you. There are more engineers in India than this country. Finding a job shouldn't be hard here. Pretty much any division I-A college has an engineering program with the exception of the Georgia (Bulldogs), Oregon (Ducks) and a few more.

Dan

01-02-2008, 03:47 PM

Don't put too much emphasis on the school, it's what you do/learn with what you are given. Only for your first job will they look at which college you went to, after that, you need to be your own champion.You've gotta start somewhere, though.

Thrill Reconnoiter

01-02-2008, 07:10 PM

Keep in mind, you want a college that is going to work for you. Choose one that has a great internship program. That's how you get your foot in the door with experience.

For those doing Engineering, Computers, or Science, make sure your school is www.ABET.org (http://www.ABET.org) certified.

rollercoasterfreek

01-03-2008, 12:16 AM

San Jose State
San Jose, CA
Computing
Date of Next General Review: 2011 - 12
Computer Science (BS) [1994]

Engineering
Date of Next General Review: 2011 - 12
Aerospace Engineering (BS) [1991]
Chemical Engineering (BS) [1966]
Civil Engineering (BS) [1959]
Computer Engineering (BS) [1991]
Electrical Engineering (BS) [1959]
Industrial and Systems Engineering (BS) [1963]
Materials Engineering (BS) [1962]
Mechanical Engineering (BS) [1963]

Yay it is certified!

p0tat0

03-04-2008, 10:27 PM

You know.. Cal teach isn't certified.. then again why do they need it when they have JPL.

Turns out some of my work is going to be part of the accreditation process for Cal Poly.

At college its a good idea of going to club meetings, since they get connections with internships. For example I'm in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and they get lots of internships and visits from companies like, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop, an several others. They also help build your resume, since at the visits they tell you what they want to see in one.

coastermatt

03-17-2008, 10:54 PM

RaptorOMGZ

03-18-2008, 01:59 PM

What other form of engineering would you suggest getting a degree for besides mechanical?

Mike T

03-18-2008, 02:22 PM

Civil is always a very flexible field of engineering, and you can definitely expand based on that degree alone. A lot of what makes a roller coaster comes from the effort of the civil engineer.

p0tat0

03-18-2008, 03:17 PM

You can almost pick any that relates to a roller coaster, but like Mike said Civil will give you a chance to actually make the layout(supports).

Electrical, mechanical, civil I'd say be the ones for roller coasters. Though maybe in the future there could be more computer and materials engineering, but I'm just guessing.

Either one you take similar classes. You have to take so many calculus classes... gah it sucks. lol

rollercoasterfreek

03-18-2008, 04:16 PM

Civil Engineering I thought was about constructing designs for bridges. Would computer do anything since it has to do with programming a ride or something?

Jake

03-18-2008, 04:23 PM

I'm no engineer, but bridges take a lot of supporting to - just like coasters, right?

p0tat0

03-18-2008, 04:29 PM

Civil engineers don't just build bridges... they build structures. It can be anything. Bridges to roller coaster supports to freeways. Almost any structure you see was designed by an civil engineer. They are almost like architects where they design structures, but that's where the similarity ends. Architects put more art into their buildings, civil engineers just gets work done! lol.

Yes my guess for computer engineering is for programming. Though it might not be something major, it could be something a computer engineer would do.

Michael

03-18-2008, 05:27 PM

Considering I'm taking a class called "Civil Engineering and Archictecture", p0tat0 nailed it spot on :cool1:

rollercoasterfreak91

03-18-2008, 05:35 PM

I have a feeling they can use Civil or Mechanical engineers...and maybe computer engineers too as I have a feeling coasters will becaome a lot more technologically advanced in the next ten years or so...I'm going into Mechanical engineering next year, and hoping to enter the amusement industry.

Michael

03-18-2008, 05:48 PM

^ Civil engineers and architects design coasters, mechanical engineers develop the systems and technologies behind them :cool1:

RaptorOMGZ

03-18-2008, 06:02 PM

That right there helped me entirely. Thanks Michael (:
Oh, and what colleges are you suggesting besides Purdue for
civil engineering?

coasterkid92

03-18-2008, 07:32 PM

The Milwaukee School of Engineering is a great school for mechanical engineering. They also have ME/Business management double majors. MSOE also has an almost 100% placement rate after graduation.

p0tat0

03-18-2008, 09:26 PM

Cal Poly SLO is the top public undergraduate engineering school (http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/topprogs_nophd_brief.php):)

Speaking of which, there is another rcpro member who is going here for engineering. She hasn't posted in a long time though.

Jumpman23

03-18-2008, 11:20 PM

p0tat0

03-18-2008, 11:24 PM

It is pretty difficult to enter it, I was rejected. I had the same GPA as well. It depends whether you are taking challenging courses... I somewhat was, but there are people who take nothing but AP classes, I only had two...ever

Just don't half *** your essay like I did. You probably need somewhere between 1900-2100 to get in for SATs and mine were lower than that.

Jeff

03-18-2008, 11:30 PM

And for engineering, go to cal poly :) like meeee

Almost any degree will help you out later on, just not liberal arts =P

I would also recommend Cal Poly, great school and it's very affordable! But yeah a few things in Business Bureau & Physycs and maybe some Engineering would get you there.

It all depends though, like Dan said, to run a park you would need some Degree in Business, virtually you would'nt need physycs or engineering unless you wanted to build and or manufacture the coasters yourself...

I would rather suggest doing something with the coasters instead. Architechures, which are the one's designing and sketching the coasters also would be great for you, since you said that you sketched a few coasters back then. Good luck. ;)

p0tat0

03-18-2008, 11:33 PM

neh, Architects just make buildings look pretty lol

There is a whole lot less math involved in architecture than engineering... so pick which ever you like

Jeff

03-18-2008, 11:35 PM

neh, Architects just make buildings look pretty lol

There is a whole lot less math involved in architecture than engineering... so pick which ever you like

Yes sketch artist or whatever they are called, I was'nt sure. :p

Jake

03-18-2008, 11:58 PM

Does anybody know if it is hard to get into UCSD? Ive visited the campus several times and Im in love, but I only have a 3.3gpa, but I am also going to state in march for mechanical CAD, I ve visited their website also several times but they dont show the requirements to get in; But the the bad thing is, is that if I keep up with football I will probably get a scholarship to Oregon bu they dont have the engineering program I want to approach.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

San Diego is a very difficult school to get in, and even if you get in, it's a nightmare registering for classes.

But it is a beautiful campus.

p0tat0

03-19-2008, 12:05 AM

It's a nightmare registering for classes at a lot of places. At Cal Poly it can get crazy, like this quarter I was last to register. I was pretty lucky to be the classes I wanted...well almost

DV87

03-19-2008, 04:58 PM

It really comes down to what exactly it is you want to do in the business, and even then, there are different aspects to each style of position. For instance, a good coaster firm will have engineers of several disciplines. A civil engineer won't be too great at designing LIMs and a mechanical engineer is not going to be the one signing off on the structural integrity of a particular design (and they also won't be the most useful in determining how to alter supports to various terrain conditions).

As far as running parks, business degrees all the way. You could also go into the marketing field, HR field, PR field, etc. It's a small industry, yes, but it's not impossible to get into. I strongly recommend getting a ride op job or whatever just to get your foot in the door (and your name out there, at least within the confines of a particular park/chain). I also recommend an internship, if they are available in your particular field of study.

To those with the desire to enter this industry, best of luck to you!

rollercoasterfreek

03-19-2008, 07:54 PM

You can always join me at SJSU for engineering! (jk) It doesn't always have to be Cal Poly. As long as it is ABET certified, it's all good.

Does anybody know if it is hard to get into UCSD? Ive visited the campus several times and Im in love, but I only have a 3.3gpa, but I am also going to state in march for mechanical CAD, I ve visited their website also several times but they dont show the requirements to get in; But the the bad thing is, is that if I keep up with football I will probably get a scholarship to Oregon but they don't have the engineering program I want to approach.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.I usually see Davis as more of an agriculture engineering school or vet school. A good 3/4s of the people I know who applied were rejected. I didn't find it amusing since not much when I was was there. It seemed like there was nothing to do there over the weekends. It's much harder to get in when you are out of California.

As for Oregon, I seem to like Oregon State better. At least it is the number one college in the state of Oregon. Aren't the ducks more of a liberal arts college? The only upside I see at Duckville is that you get lots of Nike Apparel and nice uniforms. It seems they get everything there since I heard Nike was founded near Eugene.

p0tat0

03-19-2008, 08:00 PM

I think he meant UC San Diego.. not Davis. I didn't apply to Davis, but it seemed easier than UCSD

rollercoasterfreek

03-19-2008, 08:13 PM

Oops my bad. I think I read the last think too fast thinking it said "UCD" and not "UCSD." It still is very hard to get into being one of the many "public ivy schools out there." It can have some party reputation near the beach and all though beware. Most people I know who applied there got accepted but they did have grades of 4.0ish. Majority of those under 4.0 did not get in. It seems they are always the third party when it comes to the UC system. UC Berkeley and UCLA are almost tied in rankings with Cal barely being higher but UCSD is third.

Zonga

03-19-2008, 08:16 PM

I love the way this has turned into a college thread, I'm totally diggin' it. I just thought I'd throw in that I'll be going to the real Cal Poly next year, not for engineering though.

Jumpman23

03-19-2008, 08:47 PM

So I will probably not get into UCSD unless I pull a 4.0 out of my a**.

p0tat0

03-20-2008, 12:07 AM

I love the way this has turned into a college thread, I'm totally diggin' it. I just thought I'd throw in that I'll be going to the real Cal Poly next year, not for engineering though.Yea this is about our future careers pretty much and college is where it begins.

OO so what are you coming here for? Business?

UC Berkeley and UCLA are almost tied in rankings with Cal barely being higher but UCSD is third.This is true.

rollercoasterfreek

03-20-2008, 04:13 PM

^^ Are you ranked on rivals.com as a top prospect or something? Play football for Oregon State not those Ducks! (J/K). Dennis Dixon graduated from my HS back in 2002.
I hear Oregon State is the top university in the state of Oregon. I'm pretty sure it has an engineering program.