Engineering &Designing ?

I'm sure this is probably a little off the CP topic, but I just wanted to know if someone could tell me what branch of engineering should you major in, in order to become a rollercoaster designer (assuming that I am right and Engineering is the field you should look into for this line of work). If someone could help me, or just point me in a direction, it would be greatly appreciated appreciated. thanks.

I know a guy who went to work for CCI. He has a masters in mechanical engineering. Sounds like the right track to me.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 35

I need to know that too. I'm going into the coaster field myself.

From the backgrounds I've seen, it's mainly Mech Eng and Civ Eng. [structural engineering]

A lot of flat rides demand an aerospace engineer.

The question I have, is how do you break in with the parks themselves.
[Any ideas, Jeff?]

I want to design coasters too. I could use some help too.

I also want to design. I am serious about it. My school is offering an Engineer program and I am in it so does a coaster company hire you? Then what. Do they say "Mr. McCants we would like you to design a roller coaster for PKI" then I do the whole thing myself or is it a team effort.

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Millennium Force Rides:2
Magnum XL-200 Drop:3

Behind my house there are industeral buildings, and the one closest to my house is home to Vekoma International. {No Lie!} Right now there is Blue track that looks like a corksrew type, there's a track piece in the shap of a loop in there parking lot. Look's like its going to be a boomerang.

Hey I am only 16 but I too want to go into the field of coaster designing so since I am in High School what kinds of classes I does anybody think I should I take.

P.S. Does anybody think it would be a good line of work for some one that loves rollercoasters?

Lots of Math! (I'm not just saying that because I'm a future math teacher)

I hate to say this but.....
The field of coaster designing is an almost non-existant one. There is maybe one opening a year in coaster companies. Now that does not mean that you can not work in the amusment industry. Many parks have people in charge of future plans and the themeing industry is also very large right now. Putting that aside if you want to be any field of engineering you need alot of math and science, such as AP-BC Calc, AP Chem, AP Physics and a drafting course would also be good.

I'm sure there are more than 1 opening in the coaster designing field.

Snoopy, where do you live?

I'll bet I can guess... Delaware, right? On the subject of what kind of engineering to pursue...mechanical, electrical, civil, or aeronautical would all be good choices. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to build roller coasters, but it worked for Ron Toomer...! --Dave Althoff, Jr. (BA in Communications, actually)

You might notice that many of the companies out there were start-ups by people who worked for other companies, or were related to former designers. It's kind of a private club!

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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 35

And yet, you keep seeing new last names. =)

F'rinstance, the Setpoint boys got hired by Arrow. So obviously you can sneak in. =) Or do it the Larrick way and marry a Dinn...

I've always been interested in coaster design, I'm on a pretty good road for it now. Going into my Freshman year in High School, I am taking honors geometry and I will be taking calculus senior year. I am also in biology so I'm sure I'll take some important classes later, plus I still have college....
One drawback of getting into coaster design is that you would almost HAVE to move. And if you wanted to work for Intamin or B&M, you'd have to move pretty far.....

I also thought it'd be neat to just work at CP, an executive job of some sort....

Right on the nose RideMan. It's so cool!

I am going to go into this field too. I say we all form a new company because according to everyone you can't get into a big company. So does anyone have a name for are new company ?

MFistheBEST, I am also a Freshman in High School, looking into the coaster industry. But, I'm not one of those people who says, "Oh yeah, I'm gonna' build coasters!" Then goes off to be a music instructor or end up in some dead-end job. I am VERY serious about it. What I plan on doing is working for someone for a few years, learn some of the ins and outs of the industry. Then I would like to start my own company with my best friend. We already have a name picked out and everything! But the most important thing to me is that I design coasters. I WILL NOT settle for anything else. I am going to do it, no matter what it takes, I will design coasters.

I'm going to be a sophomore in high school, heading into Algebra 2, which will lead me into Calculus when I'm a senior. I always thought I wanted to be some kind of engineer, and being a coaster designer would be awesome. I am seriously thinking about it. Hopefully I can keep my 4.0 GPA up so it will help me to get into a good college.