Turner Asks “Who Wouldn't Want to Spend Four Months Working at Disney!”
Will the “Most Magical Place on Earth” also be a great place to learn? BRCC graduate Scott Turner is about to find out. Turner garnered a spot in Disney College at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.
His girlfriend Caroline learned about the opportunity first, applied, and was accepted into the restaurant-hospitality program. She encouraged him to apply as well, and he learned in April that he nabbed a slot in the highly competitive Engineering Professional Development Study. He’ll work with Imagineers and learn the inner workings of one of the world’s most successful corporations.
“Many people apply multiple times…so I was really lucky to be accepted the first time I applied,” says Turner. He is looking forward to “meeting people from all over the world, helping make dreams come true, learning about roller coaster and amusement park design, as well as getting to see the side of Disney many people don't get to normally see,” he says.
According to the Disney website, “the Engineering Professional Development Study (PDS) offers Engineering students the unique opportunity to explore technical careers at Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney Engineering professionals share real-world experiences in areas such as Textile Services, Ride and Show Engineering, and Central Shops.”
The 25-year-old graduated in May 2016 with an A.A.S. in Mechanical Design Technology, and also earned a Career Studies Certificate in Computer Aided Drafting. He says he can’t choose a favorite Blue Ridge instructor because he enjoyed all his classes and learned from each of them. His first CAD class with Jonathan Brumfield really got him “hooked” on the Mech Design major. Bob Zickefoose and Jim Russell were instrumental in providing a “wealth of knowledge” for a solid foundation. And he also credits academic advisor Michelle Eye with keeping him on track to finish on time.
“Every time I emailed her in a panic, or for a quick question, she always answered and gave me the perfect response,” he says.
Turner admits that his previous attempts at higher education were less than “magical.” After high school, the Charlottesville native took classes at Virginia Commonwealth University and Piedmont Virginia Community College, but lacked motivation and desire to go to school. After moving to Harrisonburg, his girlfriend’s mother, along with his parents, encouraged him to refocus and pursue a degree. After exploring what Blue Ridge had to offer, he narrowed it down to Mech Design. “For the first time, I was excited about going to school, and getting to class, and actually paying attention,” he notes.
After earning his Mickey Ears, Turner’s educational pursuits will continue in Old Dominion University’s distance learning program here at BRCC. He’ll also continue working at Creative Cause Solutions in Harrisonburg as a CAD Draftsman. And feeling the need for speed, he might restore an old Ford Mustang one day.
“Maybe [I’ll] use some of my CAD and Solidworks skills to help with that,” says Turner.
