Standing on the cutting edge of innovation, technology, and creativity, themed entertainment is an industry that continually evolves and offers exciting opportunities. However, it cannot move forward without new ideas and talent. To help provide better exposure to the industry for its up-and-coming engineering students, the University of Central Florida's Society of Themed Entertainment Engineers and Leaders (STEEL) program offers unique networking and skill building opportunities and workshops with top leaders from Disney, Universal, etc to unlock the potential of students eager to make their mark in themed entertainment.
We here at Forward Thinking Designs are always working to support our local students and involvement with industry organizations which includes STEEL. I recently sat down with Mikel Garner who is a third-year mechanical engineering major at UCF and serves as the External Outreach Chair for STEEL. He shared with me his insights around the STEEL program, its goals, and how one can get involved. Here's our conversation:
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, your interest in themed entertainment, and your journey with STEEL?
As a Pennsylvania native, my interest in the mechanics of theme parks began with my visits to Hersheypark. From a young age, I became fascinated with the mechanics behind the rides, especially roller coasters. Driven by that passion, I made my way to Orlando to study engineering at UCF with the goal of pursuing a career in the adrenaline-rushing theme park industry.
During my second semester, three other UCF engineering students and I attended the ASTM conference, where we discussed theme park engineering standards. However, we recognized a gap in our current engineering education. We felt there wasn't enough focus on the technical side of theme park engineering—that is ensuring that the designs are feasible, maintainable, and operational.
This absence sparked the idea of STEEL—a platform emphasizing growing skills in design, manufacturing, and maintenance that can be applied to the themed entertainment industry. Our goal is to ensure students not just conceptualize designs but also implement and maintain them operationally within the industry.
Since its inception around February 2024, STEEL has made significant strides. In our first semester, we held three meetings, managing to bring in 17 speakers from the industry. These sessions have been invaluable, providing our members with insights and guidance from industry leaders. It has served as a powerful platform, not just for job connections but for continuous learning and professional development.
As STEEL’s External Outreach Chair, what are your responsibilities and what drives you in this role?
In my role, I serve as the bridge between STEEL, and external entities. I bring in speakers for meetings and organize tours to demonstrate the practical side of our work in design, manufacturing, and maintenance. What I particularly enjoy about my role is the networking opportunity it offers—both for me and our club members. It's rewarding to see connections foster longer-term professional relationships. It's not just about job opportunities, but about helping passionate students connect with experienced industry professionals. The industry professionals that we’ve hosted (and will be hosting) are extremely generous, and it’s a delight to see how much they care about the future of the industry.
What is your vision for STEEL?
We aim to expand the club's membership, enrich the range of our offerings, and grow our impact within the themed entertainment industry. STEEL strives to continue providing a space for students to develop their technical skills, broaden their understanding of the industry, and establish meaningful professional connections. Above all, we want to continue fostering a thriving community passionate about the growth of the themed entertainment industry.
How can students and companies get involved with STEEL, and what is planned for STEEL's future in 2025?
Both students and potential industry professionalscan connect with STEEL through a variety of avenues, but our main channels are Instagram, Discord, and LinkedIn. Students keen on seeing if STEEL is a good fit are encouraged to attend one of our meetings. For those who find STEEL aligns with their interests, we offer premium opportunities involving projects, workshops, and tours. As for companies looking to sponsor (for projects and workshops) or collaborate, they can reach out to me via email or LinkedIn.
For future plans, one of our main goals for 2025 is to create more hands-on skill building opportunities for our members. We’re hosting an internal drop tower design competition this semester, and we are planning to participate in the national Ride Engineering Competition. We also aspire for club expansion, with plans to bring in up to 25 speakers by the end of this semester, fostering more industry engagement, and setting the tone for the next semester and the greater future for STEEL.
STEEL can be found on Instagram (@ucfsteel). Interested students and potential sponsors can reach Mikel directly via email at mikel.garner@ucf.edu.
Comments