So how hard it it to get a job

Hey everyone,

I don't post much here but I've been wanting to work at Cedar Point since I was 9 and the time is finally approaching. I am almost done filling out my application and hope to send it in this week once I get a few things clarified (ex. Ride Host since I'm only 17). Anyway, the application is quite in depth, which was fine because I was able to tell them things I have done, (ex. I spent over 200 hours single handedly building a haunted house as a fundraiser and organizing over 60 teens this past fall.) I get the impression that getting a job at the point is pretty competitive.

Many of you work here so does anyone know a rough guestimate of the "acceptance rate"? I have a passion for Cedar Point, I'm majoring in "Tourism Destination Management" next fall, and I willing to work as many hours as possible. How worried should I be about getting a job, should I have a backup plan for the summer?

Thanks for your help.

-Dan

It's very easy to get a job. Keeping it is the hard part.

It is easy to get a job at Cedar Point, you just have to be willing to work when you work there. its not all just fun and games. Don't get me wrong it is a very fun place to work, you work on average 50- 60 hrs a week depending on your ride. Its not hard at all to keep the job, you just have to think what you are doing and don't do things you will regret later down the road.

So is it pretty much just luck getting a ride like Millennium Force?If I show a strong interest in one of the larger rollercoasters and a desire for a fast paced environment, do you think they would accomodate that?

Coaster jobs go first, so I would recommend getting that application in right away. However, unless you want to work in an office, I wouldn't suggest you mention to them your majoring in tourism. I know 3 people who told them that, and they ended up in an office. I personally worked the Grand Prix Go Karts in challenge park, and even though it wasn't a coaster, it was still a fast paced environment. The most important thing during the interview is to be yourself, and tell the interviewer your desires. I know you'll get the job, and you'll have a great summer! Good Luck. I'll look for you wherever you end up!

Thanks for telling me about the Tourism thing, I'll take it off the application.
*** Edited 1/1/2007 12:09:37 AM UTC by skifan23***

Not really, they are just looking for people to answer phones and give information about the park, and people who mark "tourism" on their application are bound to end up doing just that.

Ok thanks, I was just wondering why they do that that's all. You just saved my summer.

I'm saving money to move out to Ohio and hopefully close to the Point. I wanna work as a ride host sooo fricken bad. By the time I graduate, I will have had 3 months of community service time and will have completed my administrative assistant catry major. It's a business major consisting of Introduction to Business and Marketing, Accounting, Accounting II, Business Computer Applications, and Office Management.

If you're a Tourism major, why don't you talk to your college about getting an internship at Cedar Point as part of it?

Yeah, I would like to see if this qualifies as an internship, but I really, REALLY want to be a ride op... I'm not sure exactly what to do.

Direct quote from cedarpoint.com ......."While Cedar Point does not have formalized internship programs, many colleges/universities have accepted Cedar Point summer jobs as internships for hospitality management, culinary arts, recreation, marketing and communication, finance/accounting and law enforcement/criminal justice majors."

However, I can guarantee you that none of the internships include Ride Op.

Ok, even if it's not an internship, for at least this summer I'd like to be a ride op.

On the application you are supposed to put where you went to college, but since I haven't actually started at college, do I even have to put anything?

...Unless you feel like lying on your application. If that's the case, I'd recommend putting Harvard.

Well the application says to list where you have gone to school. I haven't completed any, let alone started any college degrees. It doens't say where you are planning to go to school, unless I misread it.

Skifan23- I seem to remember ride host jobs being restricted to people 18 years old or older- due to Ohio state law. This may be ancient history since I worked there 14 years ago. You will want to work out all the details with your recruiter that gives the interview. I remember "red tags" being anyone 18+ could work rides, green/yellow tags being 16-18 (usually worked food, group U, games, hotel, etc.) and of course the "blue tags" were your group leaders. Your experience will help out in the interview. Cedar Point is a great place to work- but keep in mind it is a job, and CP management relies heavily on it's staff to run the park, and resorts. ALL ASPECTS including the not so fun stuff like garbage, cleaning puke, and crowd control.

Hope this helps and good luck

What are you talking about? Cleaning puke is the best part!

And about mentioning tourism/having them put you in an office.... why is that a problem? That's helping you out right there, you're getting a hands on experience at the day to day operations of what goes on behind the scenes, and you've got direct connections with management. A lot of people who work in park ops also do extra hours on rides, so you get the best both worlds. If I was going back, I'd take a position in the park op office any day.

Cleaning puke most of the time isn't that bad. Once in a rare while, it will really test your gag reflex. Many people can get away without having to clean it up, I personally do it when I get a chance.

I remember one time at Diaster Transport. Someone puked in the shuttle and a little bit on the platform opposite of the exit. I cycled the people off the ride to empty out because it was very hot in the ride area. I cleaned that up and noticed how bad it smelled in the brake area so I headed back there. There was puke on the track and down below 20 feet at ground level. Cleaned that up and just knew by the smell off it that it was on the trough. I could tell by the intensity of the smell and the fact that it smelt worse as I got closer to the end of the through. It was horrible. I had my shirt over my face to cover some of the smell. I went out there and sure enough it was everywhere. The shuttles had been skidding in vomit. A long time and a lot of oil dry later and that was cleaned up. I think it took about 30 minutes to clean up.

The only problem with puke is that people neglect to tell you that they have puked on your ride. Usually someone on the next cycle is forced to point it out to you.

It's one of those things that you just have to be alert for. From time to time, employees miss that, usually because it's quite small or otherwise hidden from their sight. Most of the time it's pretty obvious.