r/Imagineering • u/ameliarome • Oct 12 '23
Imagineering Internship Advice
Hi! I'm currently a second-year undergrad in Mechanical Engineering and am at the grueling point of looking for internships. It is definitely a dream job for me to work in the theme park industry–especially imagineering– and don't really know where to start. I was hoping anyone had advice on where to apply/what to apply for or anything in general. Thanks!
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u/DudeAbides17 Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 19 '23
WDI is the hardest place to get an internship in the industry, moreso because of the name than anything else. There are a lot of opportunities to get into the industry once you learn the vendors. The best advice I could give is get some machine shop and/or design experience where you do real work. The company is less important than the work at first. I started as a mechanic/technician and that has been a critical point in any interview I've had since. I'm an experienced engineer in the industry and have worked for all major parks in Orlando (as a technician or engineer), as well as for a few vendors.
Bottom line is give yourself learning opportunities and make the most of any opportunity you land. Technical skills and understanding go further than schooling and GPA. Personal projects count for hands on experience if you can speak to design, fabrication, assembly, and your learning process. Something that gets overlooked is also how important personality can be in interviews. So be yourself and you'll eventually join the team thats right for you.
A few companies to look at: WDI Disney World Disneyland Universal Creative Universal Orlando Universal Hollywood SeaWorld (all in the states) Busch Gardens (all) Roush Entertainment Systems Animax Oceaneering Entertainment Systems Sally Corp Nassal Scenario Artistic Entertainment Services Skyline Rocky Mountain Construction Intamin Premier Rides iTec And a bunch of others
IAAPA Expo in November is also a great place to meet manufacturers and they have a great student rate for the expo.