1.5 Years: How a UC Student Reached Disney and Universal

The core challenge for engineering students is bridging the gap between academic theory and industry application. Amelia Leonard, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Cincinnati, has addressed this by securing placements with Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative. Her pathway relied on the university's cooperative education model, which integrates paid work terms directly into the degree curriculum.

Leonard grew up in Beavercreek, Ohio, a community heavily influenced by the nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. She described seeing C-17 transport aircraft fly overhead every other day during her childhood. This constant exposure to aerospace hardware sparked her initial interest in engineering mechanics. However, her professional focus shifted toward amusement parks after repeated visits to Kings Island and Disney World. She preferred the immersive narrative experiences of the parks over the physical intensity of the rides.

Leonard entered the UC program specifically to access its structured work experience. The university's cooperative education initiative, which it founded globally, allows students to accumulate up to 1.5 years of paid work experience before graduation. According to university data, the average co-op wage is $21.89 per hour. In the most recent reporting period, students collectively earned $99.5 million through these placements. The program currently enrolls 9,614 students and maintains partnerships with 1,798 employers, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

During her first co-op, Leonard served as a project management intern at Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development in Glendale, California. She noted that her freshman-year roommate also secured a Disney position that semester, allowing them to socialize during off days. She attributed her hiring success to the confidence gained through the program. "UC gives you a lot of skills to step into that interview room and feel confident," she said. "The biggest advice is to realize you belong there."

At Universal Creative, Leonard worked in engineering and safety. She collaborated with show, control, and ride teams to understand their integration processes. "I had the opportunity to work with the show team, control team and ride team and see how they integrate," she said. Her father, Charles Leonard, an electrical engineer, emphasized her problem-solving approach. "I have always been amazed by Amelia’s ability to approach challenges with curiosity, solve problems with determination," he said.

Leonard currently works part-time at LF Studios in Cincinnati. The company constructs animatronics and interactive attractions for global venues. She has completed three design-engineering co-op placements with the firm. She also serves as a show ambassador for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and presides over UC’s chapter of the Themed Entertainment Association.

The next scheduled milestone for Leonard is a national competition at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. She and her classmates are constructing a scale amusement ride designed to carry Jolly Rancher candies. "We’re trying to build something that’s fun to look at and would be fun to ride," she said. This capstone project serves as the final academic requirement for her degree.

The University of Cincinnati ranks as the No. 3 program in the nation for cooperative education according to U.S. News & World Report. It is the No. 1 public university for co-ops and internships. The program's structure provides students with a mental break between academic terms, allowing them to apply coursework to real-world applications.