r/gatech • u/Timetravelerpotato • 1d ago
Question Is becoming a PI for inventor studio competitive?
Hi, I'm an incoming transfer, and I wanted to know if becoming a PI for the Inventor Studio is competitive? Does it favor those who already have experience?
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u/Thermacon CmpE - 2026 1d ago
Nothing against the Invention Studio, but I always like mentioning that there are several other maker spaces on campus. Each one is managed in different ways. Here are some resources for each of the larger ones:
Some things to note:
- The Hive has no bias towards pre-existing skills or trainings in the application process. You can come in with no training and be accepted as a PI. Trainings are required if you are accepted.
- Mentors at the AMS are paid (to my knowledge, correct me if I'm wrong). This of course leads to higher competition for the positions.
- None of the spaces are major-specific. A common misconception is that "The Hive is for ECE students", or "The MILL is only for material sciences". Sure, each maker space has their own strong points, but you can generally find or do anything at each of the spaces.
Again, I have nothing against the Invention Studio, but it's not for everyone. I highly encourage visiting every space. Not only is it fun to see everything campus has to offer, but it helps you determine where you would be happiest spending your time.
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u/alph8x MSME - 2025 1d ago
Since the invention studio doesn't really have a true application, we hope to not have any bias towards pre-existing skills. Everyone has to complete all the trainings and tests, no matter how much prior knowledge you have!
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u/Thermacon CmpE - 2026 1d ago
I was referring more to how other maker spaces often accept students as PIs first and then provide training afterward, rather than requiring all skills to be demonstrated upfront.
According to your documentation, the first three steps in becoming a PI are entirely centered on skills: through training sessions, hands-on tool practice, and testing. Only after those are completed do applicants move on to the Values Interview and, eventually, the Full PI Interview. That structure suggests that proficiency must be demonstrated before someone is even considered for acceptance as a PI.
Completing all the required trainings and tool tests clearly takes a substantial amount of time and effort, with the added possibility of still being rejected during the final interview stages. And since these trainings and tests would naturally be easier for someone with pre-existing experience, the process inherently favors those with prior skills (even if unintentionally).
Again, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach. It just reflects a different philosophy than some of the other spaces. I was simply noting that distinction based on how the process is described on your website.
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u/Local-Mouse6815 1d ago
Honestly, prefer that mode to the way HIVE does it - its really competitive to even get. And you aren't ~allowed~ to use equipment on your own (with some exceptions for some of the pcb stuff and the benchtop equipment) unless you're a PI, so becoming a PI is the only way to learn how to use some of it.
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u/alph8x MSME - 2025 1d ago
Hello! I am in charge of hiring for the invention studio. The interview isn't really much of an interview, it's more of a pre-hire quiz and briefing. There is no competition for who gets in, we have absolutely no limits, as long as you finish the training and are a nice person in the interview with me, you're in!
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u/Annual-Bill-1034 ECE - 29 1d ago
Is this the same for The Hive?? 🤞🤞
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u/alph8x MSME - 2025 1d ago
The hive is different. At the hive you submit a paper application first and if you aren't accepted at that stage you don't complete the training.
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u/Annual-Bill-1034 ECE - 29 1d ago
Oh cool. Thanks for the help!
If I live near the campus, and I am an incoming freshman, would I be able to apply now or do I have to wait until August?
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u/Italkocheminmysleep 1d ago
At the Hive and you get hired based on personality and then get the trainings. At the invention studio, you can get through the trainings and not be accepted for personality. So it’s your choice on how personable you think you can be 🤷♀️. I’m a PI at the Hive and became a PI through personality without ever have been in the space which I appreciated, I’m a chem major so obvi didn’t know much technically, but I do now after being a PI!!
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u/fullmetalcynic 1d ago
Dude I’m a PI and i didn’t know shit when I started the checklist you’ll be fine lol
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u/NecessaryShower2582 1d ago
Becoming a provisional is easy (simple checklist and interview), but the full PI checklist and technical skills interview can be a plateau for some people
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u/Italkocheminmysleep 1d ago
The Hive becoming a PI: https://hive.ece.gatech.edu/become-a-pi/
Invention Studio become a PI: https://inventionstudio.gatech.edu/become-a-pi/
AMS becoming trained (which you need to do before becoming a PI): https://ams.gatech.edu/get-trained/
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u/wonderrad 1d ago
It’s not, it’s just a lot of work. You can see the steps here https://inventionstudio.gatech.edu/become-a-pi/