Hayley Sopko

ENGINEERING STUDENT READY FOR THRILLS

I am a senior studying Mechanical Engineering at the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. I will be graduating in December 2016 and hope to pursue a career as a project engineer. I have a lot of past experience involving design, maintenance and construction, especially involving roller coasters and other amusement park rides. In addition, I have helped manage several construction projects of large commercial buildings. My interest in mechanical engineering started when I was a kid building model roller coasters in my basement, and now I hope to live my dream of creating fantastic machines and structures.

THE LIFT HILL

My past internships and coursework have given me many opportunities to develop engineering and professional skills. As an intern at Six Flags, I measured and computed accelerations and velocities of rides, calculated required mechanical values for rides, organized and presented data and designed unique restraint systems. I also oversaw the construction of a 420 ft drop tower. My next internship was a 28 week co-op with Premier Rides. There, I excelled in Solidworks, prototyping, 3D printing and designing and troubleshooting ride systems. I also developed professionalism, and can easily network and interact with clients and vendors. Lastly, in summer of 2016, I worked as a project coordinator and engineer, managing 4 construction projects, including a 6 story apartment building.



A MEMBER OF THE TEAM

Not only have I worked as a team member at Six Flags, where our teamwork was essential to running the ride and keeping riders safe, I also am involved in a few teams at school. I am in the Marching Band and on the Cornell Women's Rugby Team, where I play flanker. I've learned how to work in a fast paced environment in highly stressful situations. Honestly, it is because of my team members that I love the sport so much. They offer what working alone cannot; new ideas, different views and also help and friendship. Instead of being nervous from working with others, I am even more confident and welcome the opportunity. I have taken several leadership and communication courses, and am always excited to develop my skills that involve others.

If you are interested in someone who loves what she does, please contact me.