October 3, 2024
By Alba Garcia-Sarabia

Meet Lauren Thompson, a fifth-year mechanical engineering student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In this student spotlight, Lauren talks about why she chose to study at Georgia Tech, what she likes most about her major, and her experience completing an internship with The Walt Disney Company.
 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Lauren Thompson and I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a transfer student completing a 3-2 dual-degree program. This is my fifth year of college, but my second and final year at Georgia Tech.
 

Why did you choose to study at Georgia Tech?

I was drawn to the Institute because of its extensive opportunities. There is a lot of cutting-edge research happening here, and I also appreciate the various unique student makerspaces. These elements make Georgia Tech a great place to learn and grow skills.
 

How did you become interested in mechanical engineering?

I have always enjoyed designing and building little personal projects. Additionally, I have always taken an interest in how things work. Mechanical engineering just kind of made sense for me.
 

In your opinion, what is the best thing about your major?

Mechanical engineering is a versatile field with broad applications across various engineering disciplines. This adaptability allows engineers like me to gain diverse experience in different roles, leading to a well-rounded skill set.
 

Have you been involved in an internship or co-op during your time at Tech?

I completed a six-month internship in Orlando, Florida, working on the safety team for The Walt Disney Company.
 

What drew you to this internship?

My passion for the themed entertainment industry, especially the world-building and intricate design of theme parks, drew me to this internship. I've always admired how Disney turns dreams into reality with their impressive engineering achievements. When the opportunity arose to work with them, I was ecstatic. Moreover, safety should be at the forefront of everything we do as engineers. I knew that being on the safety team would provide a unique and invaluable opportunity to learn and grow as an engineer.
 

How did you secure your internship?

I applied on their internship website and went through their interview process.
 

What would you say best prepared you for your internship?

I was provided with a lot of information regarding the job responsibilities and the general expectations of a Disney Cast Member beforehand. I read every resource they gave me thoroughly. I made it a priority to clearly understand the expectations of my role and how to conduct myself effectively in the workplace environment.
 

What did a typical day look like for you?

A typical day lasted from nine to five. I spent about 75% of my time in the office working on personal projects or group projects alongside other interns. For the other 25% percent, I was physically in the field (typically stationed at an attraction within one of the theme parks) conducting observations. I frequently had meetings with my boss so he could stay updated on my progress. Additionally, I attended meetings with the entire safety team. This helped me gain a better understanding of how everyone on the safety team supported each other.
 

What did you like most about your internship? Is there a moment that stands out to you from your experience?

Disney’s internship program is highly focused on the professional development of its interns. They require you to attend monthly intern learning sessions where you can meet other interns and learn more about the company and its values. Additionally, they encourage you to set up meet and greets with other engineers within the company. Meet and greets were extremely helpful for learning about other unique engineering opportunities as well as building lasting connections within the company.
 

What advice do you have for other students who are interested in an internship or co-op?

If you are searching for an internship, do not be afraid to include unique skills on your resume! Even if those skills are not engineering-related, recruiters are seeing thousands of resumes that are practically identical. If there is something that sets you apart, include it on your resume.
 

What’s one fun fact about yourself?

I have played the violin since I was eight years old. While I was trained on a classical violin, I recently started playing an electric violin.