Working at Geauga Lake: Questions

I'm suprised no one has really mentioned this at all. I forgot to also.

Don't be afraid to to take that extra step forward. Especially with the Cornerstones. One day last summer, I got to my location about 10 minutes earlier than my usual time. Thankfuly I did that. Somehow over nice this really awfule grease spot appeared in the queue by the midway. I went got a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush and started scrubbing away on my hands and knees. Along came a car up the Midway and it just so happened to be Dan Keller (CP General Manager for those who don't know). He slowed down and watched me for a few seconds then went on.

So it is true, if you take that extra step forward, someone will stop what they are doing and notice you. This is true in any job, of course. But some managers take time to notice you when you do that. Bill Spehn seems to me to be one of those managers. So with Bill as the GM at Geauga Lake, Stand out. In the good way af course. Anyone can stand out in a negative way. Standing out in the good way, He may very well come up and compliment you. He may very well, mention something to your Supervisor.

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- Chris -
Monster/WW ATL 02
Monster WW TL 03
Antiques/Swings TL 04

Sam,

Cedar Point offers the base rate of $6.25/hr plus $1/hr on the bonus plan so you have the potential to make $7.25/hr...if you fulfill your contract agreement.

I would assume Geauga Lake will be in that same ballpark.

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"You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world...but it requires people to make the dreams a reality."

While a management degree might not be essential, it might help you even against other competing candidates. Spehn is part of a group of managers from CP that all started within a few years from each other. At some point, he left to complete an MBA. I'm not suggesting that had everything to do with his appointment to VP of Ops at CP or GM of Geauga Lake, but certainly having that additional knowledge didn't hurt him when he was considered over his peers.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

Good point. And I am certainly not suggesting that you should bypass college and keep working seasonally until you get offered a full time job (though there are people who have done that for years).

On the contrary, I think you should go to college and finish your degree just because there are no guarantees that you will land that dream park job.

Cedar Fair does have an educational assistance program for it's full time staff to help you complete your college or advanced degrees. Many employees take advantage of it. Many more should.

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"You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world...but it requires people to make the dreams a reality."

Speaking of degrees and such, what are your takes on a recreation degree also? I was thinking in a few years going for both a recreation and a business degree.
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- Chris -
Monster/WW ATL 02
Monster WW TL 03
Antiques/Swings TL 04

I have a recreation degree and it has suited me well to this point. At some time I am going to wish I had either doubled with a business degree or I might have to go get my master's in either Sports Management or Public Administration to keep my options open for advancement.

At amusement parks...as in many jobs...I don't think it is so much what the degree is in...vs...whether or not you have one. If you want to go into municipal recreation more and more jobs are requiring the recreation degree (and certification) or at least giving preference to those with credentials.

Recreation is a growing field as communities and the government are placing a greater emphasis on recreation as it relates to open space, wellness, family togetherness, etc.
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"You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world...but it requires people to make the dreams a reality."

I would think that a business program that specializes in hospitality would be a better route to take.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

I too always wondered what degrees would be the most helpful with obtaining a fulltime job. I knew business would probably be the best, also hospitality. Is there anything for ride ops that would be good as well, or the same pretty much.

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GL rides sup 2004

Well, if you want to go to the University of Central Florida, they have a program in theme park operations I believe. It is the only one of its kind in the country.

When I got my Recreation degree the instructors let me tailor my coursework to Commercial Recreation. Thus, I did essays and special projects on amusment parks while others in my class would do stuff on muncipal, state and national parks. It worked out ok.

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"You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world...but it requires people to make the dreams a reality."

I believe, Jeff, that a "Business Operations" degree would slightly edge out a hospitality degree... a degree which is seeming to appear at more and more colleges these days.
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Jes
JesLive.Com
Six Flags Worlds Of Adventure Ride-Ops Crew 2002-2003!
Cedar Point Raptor Crew 2004! (Find me, and win a prize!)

Thanks for everybody's responces. They said I'm hired, so hopefully I'll see you on the midway.

And yes, I plan to go to the Point! on my days off. I wonder if my GL ID will get me into CP.

Oh, and since my other thread was shut down (SEC joke), I just want to ask if I could get at least a little credit for effort. Please?

I guess it was just a bad joke.

-Sam
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Avalanche Run - My first Roller Coaster.
Magnum XL-200 - The BEST Roller Coaster!

In response to what Avalanche Sam said. I thought it was a good joke. If it wasn't April Fools Day I would have believed it. LOL nice try.

RollercoasterDude, You're just to hip man, you should have known.

To make it a good joke a good website would have helped, making it a little more believeable. lol

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GL rides sup 2004

I once recieved advise that a business degree won't make one stand out to much considering that most of those in the amusement industry (that have a degree) have one from the business realm. Hospitality would be best for Food Service or hotel management. But this is one industry where i think experience is still key.