From classroom to coaster: an ATPM alumna story

What drew you to choose the Attractions & Theme Parks Management programme?
Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by the idea that you can create entire worlds and stories that people can actually step into. Theme parks are one of the few places where imagination becomes something tangible, where worlds that don’t exist in real life suddenly become real. I knew I wanted to be part of creating that kind of magic. So when I discovered the Attractions & Theme Parks Management programme at BUas, it felt like the perfect starting point for that journey.

And how did the curriculum prepare you for the realities of working in the industry?

Within my job I work with many different project teams, each with their own goals, dynamics, and challenges. The ATPM programme prepared me for that in the way that we often worked in project groups on real-world assignments, which meant learning how to communicate clearly, manage expectations, coordinate with external stakeholders, handle timelines, and navigate the occasional team conflict. Of course, the theoretical knowledge was useful, but the real value for me came from developing those project management skills in practice.

Can you share a specific project or assignment from your studies that really shaped your understanding of the attractions industry? How do you apply those learnings in your current role?

There were many projects throughout the programme that shaped my understanding of the industry, each in their own way. We worked on assignments for Europa-Park, SnowWorld, Vekoma and several other companies, which broadened my view on how diverse the attractions industry is and how many different directions you can grow in. 

The experience that influenced me the most, though, was my second‑year work placement. My work placement at Efteling gave me a first real look behind the scenes of how projects are run within a large organisation. I joined the Design Department as a Project Management intern and that’s where I learned what the day-to-day duties actually consisted of: collaborating with different internal stakeholders, navigating established processes, and a lot of emailing, calling, and aligning plans with various people.

What was your path from graduation to your current position? 

After graduating from BUas in 2021, I had the opportunity to return to the Design Department at Efteling  as a Coordinator Graphic Design. It was a great first step into the professional world and allowed me to build on everything I had learned during my work placement.

About a year later, a Project Manager position opened up at Vekoma Rides. Since I had completed my graduation research within their Project Management Department, I was already familiar with the team. I applied, was lucky enough to be accepted and I have been with Vekoma ever since. In retrospect, it shows how important your work placement choices can be for your career. Those early experiences and connections can open doors later on.

What advice would you give to current students about breaking into the attractions and theme parks sector?

Use your studies to explore which parts of the industry excite you most, whether that’s operations, marketing, project management or something completely different. Your work placements are a great way to test this in practice. Try to find work placements that let you experience the fields you are curious about, so you can discover whether they fit your personality, strengths, and expectations. Those choices can shape your opportunities later on.

Once you graduate, don’t be too selective at first. You might not land your dream job right away, but every role can bring you a step closer to where you want to be. And remember, connections are everything in this industry; it’s a small world after all. Be kind, show interest in others, and stay open‑minded. 

Based on your experience, what are the most exciting developments or challenges you are seeing in the attractions industry right now?

Based on what I see at Vekoma, one of the exciting developments is how the focus keeps shifting to more tailor-made experiences. Whether it’s new track layouts, innovative ride elements or attractions that blend different types of experiences, the focus is on creating something guests haven’t seen before.

At the same time, attractions are becoming more and more complete as experiences. Think of on-board audio, integrated lighting, interactive gameplay elements, features that make the ride feel more immersive and personal. 

How does the day-to-day reality of working in attractions management compare to what you expected as a student? 

When I was a student, I had a fairly clear idea of what working in the attractions industry might look like, but the day‑to‑day reality is definitely more nuanced. In practice, a lot of the work is much more about communication, coordination, and problem‑solving than I initially realised. Projects don’t just move forward because of big creative ideas, they move forward because you spend your days aligning with colleagues, talking to suppliers, reviewing details, adjusting timelines, and keeping everyone on the same page. At the same time, that’s also what makes the job rewarding. You get to see how all these small steps eventually add up to a real attraction or experience.

What aspects of the job might surprise current students?

One thing that might be surprising is just how international the attractions and theme parks industry really is. It sounds logical when you think about it, you already get a glimpse of it at IAAPA expos, but it becomes much more apparent once you start working with customers or subcontractors from different cultures, each with their own working styles, expectations, and habits. 

And of course, the international aspect also means business trips. They sound glamorous, but in reality they are usually more ‘airport–meeting room–hotel’ than actually sightseeing. Still, I enjoy that part of the job as you can learn much from meeting people in their own environment, even if you don’t see much more than the inside of a conference room.

How can new graduates position themselves to contribute, and what is the industry looking for?

Fresh ideas, ambition, and a willingness to put in the work; honestly, that applies to almost any company. As new graduates, you represent the next generation that will shape the future of the attractions and theme parks industry. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and opinions in a respectful way and make sure you are a real team player. Your mindset and attitude can make just as much of a difference as your skills.