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LegoLand searches for Master Builders

By David Moye

February 6, 2006

Carlsbad, CA--Elizabeth DeSilva is only 24 years old but the former SDSU psychology student is already building up a snappy resume as a professional Lego builder.

DeSilva is one of only 20 “Master Builders” in America and earns her living snapping together mini buildings and monuments at the LegoLand theme park in Carlsbad.

“It’s great to have a job doing something creative,” says DeSilva, who admits when people find out her occupation, the first response is usually an incredulous, “That’s really a job?” followed by jealousy.

Although she was somewhat of a Lego prodigy, she never intended to make it a career until she entered the contest. It’s not an easy job. The final project requires candidates to take 2000 bricks and build something within 45 minutes based on a theme given by the organizers.

Now, LegoLand is hoping to add to its roster of Master Builders in order to finish its newest section, Pirate Shores, by this summer.

Accordingly, the park is launching a nationwide search starting Feb. 18-20, by hosting “Master Builder University,” where aspiring Frank Lego Wrights will learn the secrets of Lego lore. From there, the search will go on to Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, San Francisco and Phoenix before the final competition takes place at LegoLand in May.

But DeSilva warns aspiring builders that there’s still plenty to learn once you get hired. Even an experienced Lego lover like DeSilva was surprised to learn there are all sorts of artistic ways to arrange the bricks besides snapping one on top of the other. For instance, DeSilva says the Master Builders will attach two bricks together by just one peg and then rotate it for a certain effect.

The demanding nature of the job sometimes means DeSilva spends long hours getting every brick in place. However, she doesn’t take her work home with her because “all my Legos are still at my Mom’s house.”

DeSilva is looking forward to having some extra hands help her and suggests aspiring brick builders learn how to build a sphere before applying.

There are other requests as well. The job of Master Builder requires a person who not only can take “constructive criticism” but someone who doesn’t overreact if a Lego is playfully tossed at them while on the job.

For more information on the contest, log on to Legoland.com

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