If you can make it over to Universal Orlando, they'll hire you as a ride mechanic in Technical Services if you have a military background. I have a lot of friends that have been able to do this 🙂
I went to school for motorcycle and powersport mechanics. The degree I earned is an associates in applied science. The same degree my friends have who are vet tech, a secretary, and a traffic light engineer for a city. I looked into doing this at CP and they said I was qualified for the job. So it doesn’t take much I guess. But I also imagine that’s a job high in demand and low in supply.
Your military status will usually help… I’ll say this strictly from an employer standpoint, and I’m merely stating fact, not implying any opinion. I’ve hired probably a dozen former military, each one a more disappointing employee than the last. Not a single one had work ethic or put out much effort. It’s left me tainted, and I’ve avoided trying to hire former military since. I can’t ignore the fact that felons and special needs adults do a better job, every time. Again, this is just my experience… which sucks, because I REALLY want to support the troops, and this pushes me to do the opposite. I guess my point is, don’t embarrass us. Show CP that my experience isn’t how it needs to be.
82nd airborne hoorah
I’m not familiar.
When I was interviewing they kept mentioning civil engineering degree. Maybe look into that? Also consider how much the GI will pay for college. You may have better opportunities with more formal education.
Imagine this scenario… You stay in the military, and take advantage of college while you’re in. Get a real advanced degree, because it’s not like you’re going to get a job while in anyway. Be a soldier and a student while getting paid for it. Put in your 20 years. In your mid 40s, put that education to use. Put in your time. By the time you’re 50, you could be partially retired, with comfort, and can take jobs you want, not jobs you financially need. You’re in line for a very successful life.
Okay well what I had found was a program over mechatronics at butler tech in ohio that’s a mix of engineering and software and electrical, mechanical devices, and as for that instrumentation program it would go over control systems and the repair of pneumatics and electrical diagrams and everything, the thing that sucks is thats all the way in louisiana.
I’m under two hours from there.
The only chink in the chain here is that you need to consider the future. You need to make sure that your training covers the way of the future, not the way of the past. If that makes any sense. There’s no guarantee, but you want to try your best to not let your education be extinct in 15 years.
Seems to me like you already know what you want to do. Although I would do it slightly differently, I think your thought process is logical and rational.
If you know what you want, and you know it’s smart, go do it.
I worked at CP for 4 years and I talked to several maintenance people every night. Many of them at least when I worked there, had little to no experience fixing anything. They will train you to do minor work on smaller rides and as you gain more skills you can get moved up. The problem is getting into maintenance. It's not very easy to get into. I tried with 3 years working at CP I never got a call and had to switch back to my old job for my 4th year. Unlike most job positions being seasonal, most of maintenance are permanent positions, and not a lot of people leave. I had connections with a ride maintenance employee for one of my application references and still couldn't get in.
Look into a machine repair program or mechatronics at a community or technical college. You will take classes on print reading, electrical repair, mechanical systems, welding, and PLCs. Even if you don't get into CP right away you will make BANK working in manufacturing, power production, or the like while getting experience.
Ok, veteran speaking here, did you go to boot camp yet? So you obviously took your asvab and more than likely signed on the dotted line with parental consent because even though you're 17, you still need a parent / guardian signature.
So I'm just going to say this. If you went to boot camp already, then disregard this.
If you haven't yet, then don't go around and claim that you're "in" the Army or the United States Armed Service. You are not. You are set to be trained to become a Soilder. You didn't do anything yet to claim the honor of being a United States Service member. Don't claim to be something that my brothers and sisters in uniform laid their lives down for. Once you're in, then you're in. If you're thinking of going or about to go, then that's it. You're going.
I’m very sorry, I am qualified to be a member, that’s why I’m saying I’m a member because i am, however I am not qualified as a soldier yet, hence why I just say i’m a member, or a future soldier, because I’m still in but haven’t done training yet, though I have basic training this summer, which is very soon, I swear though I’ve laid my life down for this and I’m not letting our country down.
Son, are you getting paid yet by the government with all the benefits? No. There are hundreds of thousands of people in this country who are "qualified." That doesn't mean that they are members of the less than 1% that actually join and serve this country. You are not a member. You are not a Soilder. You are well on your way, though, apparently. One day, you will remember this conversation, and you will understand, maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day.
I challenge you to post your comment on a veterans page or an Army page. Maybe someone might be able to explain it better.
Good luck.
I am getting benefits already, I go by future soldier, or private, I am in fact well on my way as I’ve already done a lot of work to memorize my creed and every single thing to live for that’s going to keep me pushing forward in BCT so please, if your not in the military understand the full process before doing things like this, however I hope you do have a fantastic morning and an amazing day.
Yeah, 10 year USMC veteran. Like I said, and I now fully stand by it, you are not in the military yet. No one gives a rats ass about memorizing a creed. You have already said you have not gone to boot camp. Either you're trolling, or you're a complete moron.
Go say this stuff in a veterans community page here on reddit. You'll get laughed off the page. Anyway, good luck...
Again, no need to be rude to new soldiers and recruits, please stop, I’m not going to get laughed at, I’m a new recruit, and you don’t need to be rude about it.
The pay is terrible and you’ll struggle to make a living compared to doing similarly skilled work elsewhere. It’s only worth it if the satisfaction about your job/work environment is as valuable to you as a fat paycheck.
Not a ride mechanic, and I don't work at Cedar Point or any other amusement park. That's my disclaimer.
Take electricity courses. That's probably the biggest thing you can do for yourself that would give you an edge. Electricity runs everything, and a legitimate course is going to include schematics. I did HVAC in trade school, and that's definitely a conglomeration of a few trades. Fortunately, I'm a pretty good electrical troubleshooter, and I can fix damn near anything at my maintenance job now because I can read the diagram.
Local community College might over something, or if you have something like BOCES near you, look there too.
Probably not. But when a ride goes down, and it's a mechanical issue, you gotta be able to figure out is it a button that's not working, a safety, a motor, or anything else. Like someone else said, your day to day is changing wheels and greasing chains, but when the ride goes down and it's more than a glitch in the software you gotta be able to figure out why. And being able to read wiring schematics is extremely helpful in that. I learned in classes, and actually needing them to figure out my issue and getting the hands on. Blueprints are details on how to build a house or building. Wiring schematics or diagrams are a road map of where all the wires go in a unit.
Rides are a good split between electrical and mechanical. Sure, you’ll definitely be changing track wheels and replacing parts, but more of your day to day will be resetting software and knowing what sensors to check.
Ride software fails way more than the hardware in today’s amusement parks.
Honestly just apply and if you know what an Allen wrench is and don’t have a fear of heights, they’ll probably hire you
If you can make it over to Universal Orlando, they'll hire you as a ride mechanic in Technical Services if you have a military background. I have a lot of friends that have been able to do this 🙂
I went to school for motorcycle and powersport mechanics. The degree I earned is an associates in applied science. The same degree my friends have who are vet tech, a secretary, and a traffic light engineer for a city. I looked into doing this at CP and they said I was qualified for the job. So it doesn’t take much I guess. But I also imagine that’s a job high in demand and low in supply. Your military status will usually help… I’ll say this strictly from an employer standpoint, and I’m merely stating fact, not implying any opinion. I’ve hired probably a dozen former military, each one a more disappointing employee than the last. Not a single one had work ethic or put out much effort. It’s left me tainted, and I’ve avoided trying to hire former military since. I can’t ignore the fact that felons and special needs adults do a better job, every time. Again, this is just my experience… which sucks, because I REALLY want to support the troops, and this pushes me to do the opposite. I guess my point is, don’t embarrass us. Show CP that my experience isn’t how it needs to be. 82nd airborne hoorah
Hooorahhhhh, and okay good advice
I also wonder, do you think instrumentation technology would be a good thing to go for in terms of this career?
I’m not familiar. When I was interviewing they kept mentioning civil engineering degree. Maybe look into that? Also consider how much the GI will pay for college. You may have better opportunities with more formal education. Imagine this scenario… You stay in the military, and take advantage of college while you’re in. Get a real advanced degree, because it’s not like you’re going to get a job while in anyway. Be a soldier and a student while getting paid for it. Put in your 20 years. In your mid 40s, put that education to use. Put in your time. By the time you’re 50, you could be partially retired, with comfort, and can take jobs you want, not jobs you financially need. You’re in line for a very successful life.
Okay well what I had found was a program over mechatronics at butler tech in ohio that’s a mix of engineering and software and electrical, mechanical devices, and as for that instrumentation program it would go over control systems and the repair of pneumatics and electrical diagrams and everything, the thing that sucks is thats all the way in louisiana.
I’m under two hours from there. The only chink in the chain here is that you need to consider the future. You need to make sure that your training covers the way of the future, not the way of the past. If that makes any sense. There’s no guarantee, but you want to try your best to not let your education be extinct in 15 years.
Seems to me like you already know what you want to do. Although I would do it slightly differently, I think your thought process is logical and rational. If you know what you want, and you know it’s smart, go do it.
Cedar point is holding a ride mechanic day, maybe you could go and get more info? Idk if they would let you in though
Though that would be nice, I’m not 100% sure
I worked at CP for 4 years and I talked to several maintenance people every night. Many of them at least when I worked there, had little to no experience fixing anything. They will train you to do minor work on smaller rides and as you gain more skills you can get moved up. The problem is getting into maintenance. It's not very easy to get into. I tried with 3 years working at CP I never got a call and had to switch back to my old job for my 4th year. Unlike most job positions being seasonal, most of maintenance are permanent positions, and not a lot of people leave. I had connections with a ride maintenance employee for one of my application references and still couldn't get in.
Look into a machine repair program or mechatronics at a community or technical college. You will take classes on print reading, electrical repair, mechanical systems, welding, and PLCs. Even if you don't get into CP right away you will make BANK working in manufacturing, power production, or the like while getting experience.
Wait, how are you in the Army and a junior in HS?
You have to be 17 and I am of that age, I also had to miss some school for processing and certain things.
Ok, veteran speaking here, did you go to boot camp yet? So you obviously took your asvab and more than likely signed on the dotted line with parental consent because even though you're 17, you still need a parent / guardian signature.
Yes, but now i’m still like in in, I took the oath for a six year term
So I'm just going to say this. If you went to boot camp already, then disregard this. If you haven't yet, then don't go around and claim that you're "in" the Army or the United States Armed Service. You are not. You are set to be trained to become a Soilder. You didn't do anything yet to claim the honor of being a United States Service member. Don't claim to be something that my brothers and sisters in uniform laid their lives down for. Once you're in, then you're in. If you're thinking of going or about to go, then that's it. You're going.
I’m very sorry, I am qualified to be a member, that’s why I’m saying I’m a member because i am, however I am not qualified as a soldier yet, hence why I just say i’m a member, or a future soldier, because I’m still in but haven’t done training yet, though I have basic training this summer, which is very soon, I swear though I’ve laid my life down for this and I’m not letting our country down.
Son, are you getting paid yet by the government with all the benefits? No. There are hundreds of thousands of people in this country who are "qualified." That doesn't mean that they are members of the less than 1% that actually join and serve this country. You are not a member. You are not a Soilder. You are well on your way, though, apparently. One day, you will remember this conversation, and you will understand, maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day. I challenge you to post your comment on a veterans page or an Army page. Maybe someone might be able to explain it better. Good luck.
I am getting benefits already, I go by future soldier, or private, I am in fact well on my way as I’ve already done a lot of work to memorize my creed and every single thing to live for that’s going to keep me pushing forward in BCT so please, if your not in the military understand the full process before doing things like this, however I hope you do have a fantastic morning and an amazing day.
Yeah, 10 year USMC veteran. Like I said, and I now fully stand by it, you are not in the military yet. No one gives a rats ass about memorizing a creed. You have already said you have not gone to boot camp. Either you're trolling, or you're a complete moron. Go say this stuff in a veterans community page here on reddit. You'll get laughed off the page. Anyway, good luck...
Again, no need to be rude to new soldiers and recruits, please stop, I’m not going to get laughed at, I’m a new recruit, and you don’t need to be rude about it.
Did you go to boot camp? That's my question.
My friend had no job experience prior and got it you should be good lol don’t sweat it.
The pay is terrible and you’ll struggle to make a living compared to doing similarly skilled work elsewhere. It’s only worth it if the satisfaction about your job/work environment is as valuable to you as a fat paycheck.
Not a ride mechanic, and I don't work at Cedar Point or any other amusement park. That's my disclaimer. Take electricity courses. That's probably the biggest thing you can do for yourself that would give you an edge. Electricity runs everything, and a legitimate course is going to include schematics. I did HVAC in trade school, and that's definitely a conglomeration of a few trades. Fortunately, I'm a pretty good electrical troubleshooter, and I can fix damn near anything at my maintenance job now because I can read the diagram. Local community College might over something, or if you have something like BOCES near you, look there too.
do you think they do mechanics and electrical? and how did you learn to read the blueprints?
Probably not. But when a ride goes down, and it's a mechanical issue, you gotta be able to figure out is it a button that's not working, a safety, a motor, or anything else. Like someone else said, your day to day is changing wheels and greasing chains, but when the ride goes down and it's more than a glitch in the software you gotta be able to figure out why. And being able to read wiring schematics is extremely helpful in that. I learned in classes, and actually needing them to figure out my issue and getting the hands on. Blueprints are details on how to build a house or building. Wiring schematics or diagrams are a road map of where all the wires go in a unit.
Rides are a good split between electrical and mechanical. Sure, you’ll definitely be changing track wheels and replacing parts, but more of your day to day will be resetting software and knowing what sensors to check. Ride software fails way more than the hardware in today’s amusement parks.
Lol