AIMS INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM
AIMS International, the unmatched leader in amusement safety education, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new young professionals’ program. Created to engage younger industry professionals with an interest in AIMS International’s area of influence, the program will grow, train, and empower the next generation of industry safety specialists.
Transitioning this year’s seminar to fully virtual connected AIMS International with over 40 students who were eager to serve as moderators for its 160 courses. This showcased an interest in amusement safety education amongst this group and an opportunity to engage the next generation of leaders in amusement safety. This team of student moderators was assembled and lead by Samantha “Sam” Bercik, who now serves AIMS as its volunteer Young Professionals Education Coordinator.
Sam was introduced to AIMS International through her involvement with the student group at the ASTM F24 meetings where she heard AIMS board member, Linda Freeman, speak about other opportunities for students and young professionals to get involved in amusement industry events, including the AIMS International Virtual Safety Seminar. She was inspired to reach out to AIMS Executive Director, MJ Brewer, and was “hired” to coordinate the volunteer moderators for the 2021 virtual event. Entirely on her own, she brought the team of students and young professionals together virtually, trained them in the online conferencing platform and created the moderator schedule for the seminar, all while preparing to move across the country to begin an internship with Tesla.
Following the seminar, Sam was tasked with creating a steering group to plan future educational events geared towards those new to the industry. Their stated mission is to provide young professionals with safety education and networking opportunities to prepare them as the future leaders of the amusement industry. The group meets twice a month to discuss ways to engage peers through monthly webinars hosted on the AIMS conncetED learning management system and in-person, as well as educational sessions and networking events to be held at the AIMS International Safety Seminar.
The inaugural members of AIMS Internationals Young Professionals Program include:
- Samantha Bercik, a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in spring 2022. Sam has an impressive resume with internships at the Walt Disney Company, Colgate-Palmolive, Eaton, and currently Tesla, Inc..
- Garrett Monteiro is a recent graduate of California Polytechnic State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, with a concentration in Interactive Entertainment. Garrett is currently a Software Engineer for Worldbuildr, Inc., and is the founder of TESD, an online international community of students interested in themed entertainment.
- Robert Anderson is a senior at Ohio State University studying Electrical & Computer Engineering. He is president of OSU’s Theme Park Engineering Group, which recently founded the first student-led industry conference, Students in Themed Entertainment (SITE). He is currently employed at Tesla as an Automation Controls Engineering Intern.
- Diego Valenzuela is an undergraduate senior studying Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Northridge. He is currently interning with NBC Universal’s Parks & Resorts where he assists on turning concept art into a reality while maintaining attractions for years to come. Diego is also a co-founder of his local TEA organization, TEA @ CSUN, where he provides students with the tools necessary to become successful in themed entertainment.
“I am excited to see interest in amusement safety from those newest to our industry and pleased to introduce a program designed to engage and empower this enthusiastic group,” said Brewer.
