Themed entertainment is the perfect triad of advanced technology, art, and hospitality: TEA NextGen Spotlight – Rebecca Lam
Posted by Judy Rubin
See original post here.
Rebecca Lam went from young roller coaster rider, to engineering student, to her first real exposure to the industry followed by confidence that she’d found her dream career direction in themed entertainment. Her NextGen membership in the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) helped open some of those doors, and she now works as a mechanical engineer at Oceaneering Entertainment Systems. This article is part of a series spotlighting TEA NextGen members building careers in the attractions industry.
Rebecca’s Story:
I first heard of the TEA when I interviewed Anisha Vyas from Universal Creative, seeking career advice. At the time I was an aspiring entertainment engineer, and a finalist in the Disney ImagiNations Competition. That conversation with Anisha was the first time I’d ever heard the term “themed entertainment.” She advised me that an organization called the TEA was a great starting place for me.
The year was 2014. I immediately joined TEA as a NextGen member and hopped on a plane to Sarasota to attend TEA’s SATE Conference on Experience Design. At the closing SATEoke party, I rapped, made friends, was photographed and somehow made an impression that led to a freelance writing assignment helping InPark Magazine cover the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando later that year.
Through these experiences I became certain that themed entertainment was the field for me. During the IAAPA Expo, I met a number of employees from Oceaneering Entertainment Systems – but little did I know that less than a year later, I would be working in the same Orlando building as each of them.
I started off as a fifth-generation Chinese-American in Atlanta, GA with a fluctuating passion for theme parks – depending on which terrifying coaster I had been pushed onto by my dad that year – and ended up in Houston, TX studying Mechanical Engineering at Rice University. My first real exposure to the theme park industry itself was through putting together a team for the Disney ImagiNations competition. To put it simply, it was exhilarating! For the first time, I felt an overwhelming passion for my major and that led me to seek out further opportunities in what I believe is the perfect triad of advanced technology, art, and hospitality.
Being at Oceaneering has been a dream come true – both in honing my engineering skills and learning about how a ride vendor operates. You get to be exposed to the life experience that other engineers have in the industry, think from both a technical and creative viewpoint, and naturally, ride the vehicles themselves. From the start, I’ve had the chance to design and create components and systems large and small, and there’s no feeling like touching something real with your own hands, that you had previously pored over in virtual space. My current position is working as a Mechanical Engineer designing the ride vehicle itself, but I am also looking forward to exploring the world of show programming, which instead is designing how the vehicle moves.
My turn to give the advice
For others now hoping to enter the industry, the biggest piece of advice I would give is to not be afraid to send that first email. If you get a brief response, it just means that someone is (understandably) busy with his or her project, or not in a position to meet your specific needs. If you get no response, don’t be afraid to send a reminder email that doesn’t demand answers but would be something nice to read in the midst of other demanding work emails. Take advantage of holidays as times to initiate contact, and notice them as a person, not just for the opportunities they can open for you. On a call with Kareem Patterson from Walt Disney Imagineering after I watched a video of him rejuvenating Country Bears Jamboree, I remember what helped initiate more fluid conversation was simply stating that his humility shown in the video was what prompted me to reach out to him.
Next, be passionate about what you do and pave a direction for that passion. The people you approach at TEA events or other industry gatherings are interested in helping you out if they can – but you have to be more specific than saying, “I do everything.” It’s a hard balance between not being too general or too specialized. Try making a niche for yourself – a niche that fits a demand. Your contacts will be much more likely to remember you for positions that are linked with your specific abilities. It’s similar to the way colleges recruit for missing gaps in their student body.
Star Wars fan has golden photo-op with Anthony Daniels and C3PO at SATE
Finally, engage with other TEA NextGen members! Anyone who is seriously pursuing the industry is likely to be someone you’ll work with in the future. Be proactive and those working relationships will have a much smoother beginning. Some of my favorite moments in Orlando so far have been exploring and examining the parks with a group of engineers, designers, and attraction operators. Everyone can bring something different to the discussion table. That group dynamic is one of the very best things – in themed entertainment, there’s a collective impetus to put on the greatest show possible and an understanding that the best way to achieve that is not by competing, but collaborating.