UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tyler Demyan, fifth-year student in the integrated architectural engineering bachelor’s and master’s program in the Penn State College of Engineering, was recently selected to participate in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Emerging Professionals Program. He is the first Penn State student chosen for the program since it launched in 2015.
ASTM technical committees nominate promising young professionals who are new members of ASTM International to be considered for the program. ASTM International then selects qualifying individuals from the pool of nominations. To qualify, participants must have experience in standards development or in using ASTM standards in their work. They also must work for a company that currently uses ASTM standards or attend a university that is currently contributing to ASTM activity.
The purpose of this program is to give new members of ASTM International the opportunity to network with long-term ASTM members and industry partners. Program participants also learn more about ASTM International with the goal of becoming more effective members of the society and potential leaders of ASTM committees and industry.
“By participating in the Emerging Professionals Program, I will gain invaluable experience from industry leaders from all over the globe,” Demyan said. “I strongly believe you can never gather too much information. Being able to work with other emerging professionals and to hear from those at the top of the game will only further solidify my leadership capabilities.”
Demyan has served as the student initiatives leader on the ASTM F24 committee on Amusement Rides and Devices since spring 2017. He took on the position while also completing a two-year internship as a ride engineer with Universal Creative, where he worked on new projects for the Universal Orlando Resort, including Fast and Furious Supercharged and the upcoming Jurassic World VelociCoaster. He secured the internship through opportunities provided by the Penn State Theme Park Engineering Group, a group that was started in 2009 to help students get started in the niche industry of themed entertainment.
As the student initiatives leader on the ASTM F24 committee, Demyan looks to bridge the same gap for students entering the industry by helping engineering students build connections with professionals in the themed entertainment field.
The committee also focuses on developing standard methods of test, performance specifications, definitions, maintenance, operations, practices and guides for amusement rides and devices.
“Getting students connected with various sub-committee leaders and committee chairs is important to the growth of both students and ASTM F24,” Demyan said. “When I attended my first ASTM conference in spring of 2017, there were only about 10 students who would attend the meetings. At the most recent meetings, there were more than 70 student attendees.”
As part of this ASTM committee, Demyan has also contributed to the group’s work in ride accessibility.
“Ride accessibility is an important challenge as more theme parks want to provide the same experience to everyone, including guests with disabilities,” Demyan said. “The F24 committee has challenged me to think freely and be more creative when considering technical solutions to various industry problems.”