LSU Grad Trades Lab Coat for Mouse Ears at Disney College Program to Further her Engineering Career
June 19, 2025
Spring 2025 LSU graduate Hannah Grace Vautrot is bringing her engineering knowledge, tinkering skills, and creative mind back to Walt Disney World as part of the Disney College Program to further her career in themed entertainment engineering.
Vautrot has always seen herself as an avid problem solver. She took her high school STEM education and robotics team skills to LSU and majored in mechanical engineering.
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Vautrot felt LSU was the obvious choice to pursue mechanical engineering.
Hannah Grace Vautrot in Magic Kingdom
“I think my studies have prepared me well for my future in themed entertainment engineering,” Vautrot said. “While I have a lot of knowledge of how materials behave and how to analyze mechanical systems, I must acknowledge a lot of the preparation was indirect; this program has challenged me in so many ways that I feel confident that I can tackle whatever comes my way. I always say ‘Everything is figure-out-able!’”
During her time at LSU, Vautrot joined the Disney College Program because she had a desire to gain experience in the themed entertainment industry. She felt it was important to have in-park experience so she could gain exposure with how it all works, and what decisions are being made to improve the parks.
“One of the first questions on every engineering internship application is ‘Did you complete the Disney College Program?’ Vautrot said. “I got to thoroughly explore all the beautiful engineering in every detail during my seven months at the theme parks last year.”
Her biggest reason for returning to the Disney College Program this summer is to dive deeper into the firsthand experience, as her goal is to transition from the college program to a professional internship in engineering by January.
“My college program really helped solidify my drive to use my engineering skills to make magical experiences for people,” Vautrot said. “It hit me that there are amazing people called imagineers that make it all work. It is an absolute dream of mine to help contribute to the magic, keep it alive and create those core memory experiences for everyone who walks through the gates.”
During her time as a Disney College Program intern last summer, Vautrot was able to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, which helped her solidify her career path, and made her feel at home.
“The state-of-the-art animatronics and special effects depicting the gorgeous bayous of my home state Louisiana, I knew that I was where I’m meant to be,” Vautrot said. “The song ‘Almost There’ really resonates with me. Now that I’ve graduated, just like Tiana, I’ve worked really hard, and I feel like I’m almost there!”
In the next five years, Vautrot sees herself problem-solving and continuing her engineering solutions in the theme park industry.
“I want to help create the very magical experiences that inspired me as a child. I want to find a home in creating memories that will last a lifetime for guests, just like the ones I have from my childhood and even now in my adulthood,” Vautrot said. “Whether that home is at Walt Disney Imagineering or elsewhere, I can’t wait for what’s next for me.”
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