Amusement Industry Jobs

[bigjohnson51]

I am a Freshman in college and I have been trying to decide on if I am wanting to switch my major or not. Right now I am in education but the reason I am in the major is because I don't know if there is anything better out there.

 

Today we had a guest speaker in one of my classes talking about specialization or something like that and my teacher made fun of me and everything about how I listen to roller coaster podcasts. Then the speaker asked me if I was going to work in the amusement park industry and I was like... "Well that would be cool!"

 

So I have some questions and I would like to hear from anyone who is willing to answer!

 

What kind of jobs are out there is the amusement industry? I've taken a shot at engineering but then I discovered this is not me at all!

 

Is a job in this industry hard to get? I've talked to my dad about Public Relations of some sort and he has asked people at work and they said it is hard to find jobs for that.

 

How is the pay and how are the hours?

 

These are just some vaugue questions I have if you guys could just throw out the types of jobs that are out there and if you know anything about the nature of these jobs let me know. I also ask that if anyone knows of anyone I could contact to get more information about getting a job like this and what I should major in or start working on please let me know!

[Mr. Starr]

Well, are you more interested in working in an actual park, or for a company, like B&M? Much different.

 

I know on the SF website for specific parks, they have certain jobs listed with the pay and sometimes hours.

 

Here is the SFMM site listings www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/jobs/JobListings.aspx

 

Hope this helps!

[bigjohnson51]

Well I would probably like to work for an actual amusement park because I like being around the park. Though I would also be interested in working for a company that worked with amusement parks. I'm thinking like "career" wise more than "job" wise if that makes any sense. That was a very cool link though. I think it would be nice to be in like park management or something of that nature. If anyone knows how are those jobs acquired is it through starting low and working up the ladder or does it have more to do with coming out of college with the proper degree in the right major?

[Hercules]

If you are looking to get into the amusement industry, I would really suggest not going straight into it, unless you plan on working in operations for a while. Even then, I really believe it is hard to work your way out of that. Working your way up the ladder isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world to do.

 

I highly suggest getting experience. Get a summer job as a ride op/vendor at a park. You can do this at a local park, or do something like the Cedar Point college program. Or, you can apply for the Disney College Program, and do an entire semester at DisneyWorld working at the park and taking courses in related business fields. I highly suggest getting as much experience at a park as possible if you plan on making a career out of it. It is always good to get relevant companies and work experience on your resume.

 

From there, I think it is important to get out there and get other work experience before you decide to get into the park stuff. If you are planning on just working your way up, then that is your choice, but I just really believe it is very hard to do that. Personally, I think it is most relevant to major in business. There is a lot that you can do with some kind of business degree. After you graduate, get a job and find your way into a management role. Once you get a good amount of work experience in a couple of management positions, coupled with your amusement park experience, that should be a good starting block to get you on your way to some sort of administrative position at a park or chain.

 

As for public relations, it is very hard to get into something like that. I wanted to do it, but entry level public relations starts at pretty much minimum wage, and you are stuck there for a while. It is very tough to get out of entry level when you are in public relations.

 

Other than that, get involved in extracuriculars as much as possible to increase your leadership ability. Heck, even start up a roller coaster club at your school.

[nagro5]

Thank God I found this thread! I am in the exact same dilemma as bigjohnson51. Thanks for your help guys!

[bigjohnson51]

Well thank you Hercules that was a very helpful post! I have defiantly been looking into business for next semester and I may just have to dip my feet in the major. Another field I was considering is marketing. Would a degree like this be at all helpful?

[dj snow]

If you want to stick with education as a major, then perhaps that could lead to a trainer position at a theme park or waterpark. You'd probably have to work some operations (as summer jobs, etc.) a few seasons so that you know what you're teaching, though. But then perhaps that position might lead to other opportunities in HR, etc., down the line.

 

Business and marketing are good all-purpose degrees to hold; a good business degree could mean you meet basic qualifications for almost any department.

 

If you're interested in public relations, then pursue journalism. But first make sure you understand what public relations really is (in large part it's pitching ideas/working with the news media to get included in stories and pieces they're putting together).

 

A good piece of general advice would be to pick a park that you think represents a good opportunity for you, then start working summers there, and get to know the management, across as many departments as possible. Let them see that you're a hard worker before you're looking for full-time employment. It'll make things that much easier down the road.

[bigjohnson51]

You guys are giving me some good responses here!

 

The training job sounds interesting. Do parks really have that? I remember at Worlds of Fun anyways they just had like management train crews. I have looked into working on summers in teaching because I find the job fun, but I'm not sure if the pay will be worth it when I have a wife and kids.

 

I never really realized PR people would do that but it makes perfect since to me now! Doesn't sound like too bad of a job.

 

I have already dipped into Worlds of Fun this summer as a ride-op at Mamba and did a great job and had fun with my job. I was offered assistant lead positions but turned them down because of a combination of a lot of factors not allowing me to work so many hours. I'm guessing it would be a good idea to reapply and get a job there again and start going up the ladder.

 

One more thing I need to ask is does the management of amusement parks make good money? I'm guessing the pay is a little more respectful than a typical ride assistant? At least I'd hope so or nobody would take the job!

[timberskara]

With a passion for the industry and a season of work as a ride op under your belt, you're already on your way! Everyone here has great and helpful advice, and mine would be to score an internship in the marketing department for a park. A seasonal internship is a really good idea for anyone wondering if working in the industry is right for them because it allows you to really experience the "other side" of the business. Many of the positions parks offer like this will give you experience in a TON of different areas including:

 

-Advertising. This can be anything from learning the process of working with the park's ad agency and doing media buys (where and when do you want your message to be heard -- how to effectively reach the park's target audience) to brainstorming off-the-wall ideas to tap into different media channels.

 

--Sales. In most parks the Group Sales staff fall under the Marketing Department. Working with a potential client from the initial contact all the way up to the day of their event by helping them to plan a great day of fun! Relationship building is a big part of the business...and there's no better thing to sell than FUN.

 

-Promotions. Brainstorming sometimes crazy, off-the-wall ideas to get people to come to your destination. This can be simple things like parade appearances or coupon offers to insane contests and celebrity appearances.

 

--Media communications. Authoring press releases for new attractions or upcoming events, escorting members of the media around the park or learning about how to handle a crisis are all big parts of a park's communication with the media.

 

--Public relations. Some of the most credible "marketing" comes from PR. Get your park in the center of attention by holding special events, make public appearances or sponsoring local events.

 

--Research. Ever see those survey takers wandering around the parks? People don't realize they are probably the most important part of the marketing department. Through the results of properly administered surveys, parks can evaluate how well their current strategies are performing, discover the new trends of their target market and decided what is the best medium in which to spend their advertising dollars.

 

As you can imagine, learning about all of these areas can give you a great understanding about the day-to-day operation of the park itself, as well as the company's long-term goals. I think if you look at the individuals that have a lot of influence on the park and are "higher-up" in the chain of command, most of them have had some experience in the area of marketing...that's why I think it's a good place to start.

 

Doing all of these things in an amusement park environment on an amusement park schedule isn't the right thing for everyone, but it's also a lot of fun for some! An internship can either reinforce your desire to work in the industry, or it can make you realize that maybe it's not right for you...but at least you'll know.

 

And the best part is, getting a seasonal internship in marketing isn't impossible. Just check out the park's corporate Web site and find their information on internships, or call the park's HR department and ask when they start accepting applications for their summer internships.

 

Again, this is just my 2 cents. In High School I got introduced to the idea that working full-time for a park one day could be a lot of fun. I worked two summers as a ride op at one park, interned two summers in Marketing at another and then got my "big break" so to speak and another park. And now I can't imagine doing anything else!

 

Best of luck

[bigjohnson51]

^ Thank you that was a very helpful post!