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DAN GUYB.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Graduated in Fall of 2012 
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"My interest in the amusement industry dates back to my years in junior high when I was one of the first riders on the Zonga roller coaster at Six Flags Marine World back in 2003. From that day forward, it was always a dream of mine to become a roller coaster designer/engineer. Thankfully, I stuck with that dream all the way through college when I started my studies in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State. When I transferred up to UP in 2011, I just happened to discover PSU TPEG, where I met many great individuals who shared the same passion as I did with the amusement industry. Having the opportunities provided to me through PSU TPEG, such as the yearly IAAPA and bi-yearly ASTM trips were very beneficial to starting my career within the amusement industry, especially on the networking side of things.
Prior to starting my current position at Premier Rides, I held several different positions within the amusement industry. I spent four summers at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, PA, three of which were with the park’s maintenance department. I had the opportunity of working on such rides as Log Jammer, Racer, Phantom’s Revenge, and Sky Rocket. I also participated in the Disney College Program as a Monorail Pilot, which eventually lead to obtaining a Professional Intern role at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the park’s Engineering Services department. My final internship experience was with Premier Rides, Inc. where I worked primarily on the installation of Superman Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom during summer 2012. Prior to my graduation in December 2012, I was offered the position of Field Project Engineer with Premier Rides, Inc. As Field Project Engineer, I am primarily responsible with overseeing the installation, adjustment, and commissioning of Premier’s new attractions, and ensuring safe operation and adherence to manufacturer specifications. On occasion, I also perform accelerometer, tachometer and strain gauge analysis of new and existing attractions for performance verification purposes.
If I could offer one piece of advice to other engineers looking to start a career in the amusement industry, it would be to get as much experience as possible within the industry and get your name out there in anyway you can. If you live close to an amusement park, don’t be afraid to take a job as a ride operator because you never know where it can take you! Take any opportunity that is put forth before you because any experience is better than no experience in this industry. And last but certainly not least; try to attend IAAPA and ASTM F24 conference at least once, because you never know who you will meet and what kind of opportunities you can obtain through attending such events! The amusement industry is very small when compared to most and many of its professionals know one another. Making a good impression with one or more of them could just land you your dream job in the near future!"
Prior to starting my current position at Premier Rides, I held several different positions within the amusement industry. I spent four summers at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, PA, three of which were with the park’s maintenance department. I had the opportunity of working on such rides as Log Jammer, Racer, Phantom’s Revenge, and Sky Rocket. I also participated in the Disney College Program as a Monorail Pilot, which eventually lead to obtaining a Professional Intern role at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the park’s Engineering Services department. My final internship experience was with Premier Rides, Inc. where I worked primarily on the installation of Superman Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom during summer 2012. Prior to my graduation in December 2012, I was offered the position of Field Project Engineer with Premier Rides, Inc. As Field Project Engineer, I am primarily responsible with overseeing the installation, adjustment, and commissioning of Premier’s new attractions, and ensuring safe operation and adherence to manufacturer specifications. On occasion, I also perform accelerometer, tachometer and strain gauge analysis of new and existing attractions for performance verification purposes.
If I could offer one piece of advice to other engineers looking to start a career in the amusement industry, it would be to get as much experience as possible within the industry and get your name out there in anyway you can. If you live close to an amusement park, don’t be afraid to take a job as a ride operator because you never know where it can take you! Take any opportunity that is put forth before you because any experience is better than no experience in this industry. And last but certainly not least; try to attend IAAPA and ASTM F24 conference at least once, because you never know who you will meet and what kind of opportunities you can obtain through attending such events! The amusement industry is very small when compared to most and many of its professionals know one another. Making a good impression with one or more of them could just land you your dream job in the near future!"
