<- Need HELP badly with Finding a JOB ->

[Ashwin]

Hi!! - I thought there will be a specific forum in GearSlutz for my question; but I could not locate one. So, I'm here. I'm a wanna-be Sound Engineer. Right now I'm only focusing on learning not being employed.

But, sooner or later I'll be having to look for a Full-Time Job (Sound/Studio/Recording/Mixing/Mastering etc.. Engineer) for food. But, I searched Monster.com; and it hardly shows 2-3 results in the whole country USA. That makes me terribly nervous.

1. How do I find Jobs/Interns for this field (Audio Engineer in the Studio)??
2. Can someone please give me some Web-Links??
3. How much Pay can I expect as an Entry-level Sound Engineer??
4. How much qualifications/Education/Experience will usually be required to get the job??
5. And any other additional points will be great?

Thanks and Cheers!!
Ashwin

[dwlb]

Unfortunately you're gonna find that most normal-people job sites like Monster don't have much in the way of sound engineer jobs. Those sites are more geared toward office-drone jobs. You have to find more niche-oriented sites like Backstagejobs.com, though that's mainly theater stuff and likely won't get you into a studio. Alternately, google or look in the phone book for studios in your area (your local entertainment publication may also have listings--here in Chicago the Illinois Entertainer has an annual Studio Directory issue).

Best o' luck!

[tylaj04]

What city are you in? The size and music scene of a city could really have an impact to the answers here....


Here's what I did (in a 100,000 person town, where there are only a dozen or less 'live sound guys', a handful of decent recording studios, and lots of other people recording friends in their garages)

Went to a show at a decent little venue / pizza place.... it was nothing top notch, but it had some character. Eventually I got a job there delivering pizzas ($15 an hour with tips), but I would come in a watch the sound guy work and learn a few things from him. Eventually it got to where he was asking me to run the board when he needed to take a piss. Then he asked me to run the board when he needed a whole weekend off. Eventually it proved that my work ethic and mixing ears were better than his, so when the venue uprooted and moved across town, they kept me on as head sound guy, and paid me $10 an hour, occasionally throwing in a free drink or a small tip out from the bartenders to sweeten the deal, as well as booking my band some decent shows there.

Anyways, my point is that sometimes you'll have to weasel your way in like that. Especially in a smaller town, people get those jobs because they know someone, not because they walk in with a hotshot resume. Dont get me wrong, you've got to be qualified too, but it can take a little more than that to actually get the job. Don't be discouraged though. Making connections in your local music industry will be priceless. Especially if you're willing and able to "apprentice" for free. Not many people would turn down that offer.


Same would apply to a studio sound engineer position. Show up and ask if you can hang around and learn a few things. I opted out of the expensive "recording school" and instead walked into a local studio and asked if I could watch and learn. I would ask questions, take it all in, and help with grunt work (setting up mic stands, running cables, fetching stuff). The guys at the studio didn't want to waste alot of time 'training' me, so I would catch on to as much as a could while I was there, but also go home and do my homework (gearslutz, google, wiki, etc) so I understood what they were doing, and could also ask questions the next time I went in. No they never offered me a job at the studio, it was a very small operation. But I did learn enough that I eventually started investing in my own home studio gear. From there, hands on experience taught me the most. I started with $700 and a computer. Made a demo for my band, sold a few copies, put that money into buying more gear. Recorded a demo for my friend's band, invested that money back into more gear that I learned how to use. and so on...... If you want to go the 'apprentice' route at a studio though, I would recommend either A) learn as much lingo as you can before hand so that you have some basis to start with or B) find someone you know who can "recommend" you for the spot.


In the meantime, there's alot of good info out there on gearslutz.... start digging, and eventually you'll get to put it to use.

[plaid_emu]

I'm not trying to piss all over your hopes and dreams or be a downer, but our economy is in the toilet and it's only getting worse.

Just yesterday I read an article talking about how inflation is coming home to roost. Not only here but also in other developed nations. They're actually now discussing food rationing for the middle class.

FT.com / In depth - High food prices may force aid rationing

If I were you, I'd have some kind of backup plan for a job that's rock solid recession/depression proof. You might want to get an internship at a mortuary or security firm rather than a studio.

And if you have ANY money in the bank or in stocks/401k.....get the **** out NOW while you still can and get physical possession of precious metals like gold and silver.

Buy some storable food rations, a water filter, and a gun and be ready for some crazy shit. When it finally comes down to the wire here in the US, people are not going to be as well behaved as they were in the 30's. You're gonna see soccer moms running over people with their minivans to steal food for their kids.

I know this all sounds like I'm looney toons, but do you really think we can ship all our industrial/manufacturing jobs overseas and prop up our economy with Starbucks and Best Buy's?

And even if our economy wasn't in serious trouble, it's still a long shot you're going to waltz right into a job like that and get paid enough to support yourself. Not saying it's impossible, but remember there's a gazillion people all wanting to do what you want to do. Most of them will do it for FREE just to get established. You've got a long road ahead.

[wilkinswp]

[quote=plaid_emu;1869611]
And if you have ANY money in the bank or in stocks/401k.....get the **** out NOW while you still can and get physical possession of precious metals like gold and silver.

QUOTE]

This is not good advice. I'm not a broker, but I know a lot of them and they'd agree that this is what gets investors in trouble. Ie freaking out and selling everything. . . . . OK, back on topic. . .

[8BallProductions]

Good Luck to you mate ...
i just moved from brum to london (uk) for the same reason an im finding it tough .. having to i've of scraps of live work i get rather than studio work ....

if i find anything that looks promising web site wise .... & IF I dont go for it i will let you know...

[plaid_emu]

[quote=wilkinswp;1869671]

Originally Posted by plaid_emu

And if you have ANY money in the bank or in stocks/401k.....get the **** out NOW while you still can and get physical possession of precious metals like gold and silver.

QUOTE]

This is not good advice. I'm not a broker, but I know a lot of them and they'd agree that this is what gets investors in trouble. Ie freaking out and selling everything. . . . . OK, back on topic. . .

HAHAA!! Of course they're going to tell you that, unless they're gold brokers! That's like asking an oil baron for advice on buying a solar powered car. Do you think you'll actually get an honest answer?

They're trying to keep the phony DOW Jones up. Do you know why the DOW looks better when things start to get worse? Because the stocks cost more when the dollar is down. This gives the appearance of gain, but really the USD index is plummeting. Don't tell me I'm giving bad advice when you haven't done the homework for yourself.

Just three years ago my father and I invested in a BUNCH of silver for $7.50 an ounce. Now it's at $19+. Ask someone you know how their 401k is doing right now compared to three years ago.

4 or 5 months ago I bought a 1/4 ounce British Sovereign for 196.00. The same coin is now going for over $250.00.

Metal will always retain some intrinsic value. Paper is just paper and can be devalued to nothing at any moment.

[The Byre]

1. How do I find Jobs/Interns for this field (Audio Engineer in the Studio)??

We get at least one cv a day, so it's going to be hard!

2. Can someone please give me some Web-Links??

audiotalk.org for the real situation.

But there are no sites with jobs available, for the simple reason that there are no jobs available!

3. How much Pay can I expect as an Entry-level Sound Engineer??

That depends on your abilities and qualifications. Somewhere between low and bugger-all!

4. How much qualifications/Education/Experience will usually be required to get the job??

In the UK, realistically speaking, you will need a qualification that shows a profound and formal knowledge of both music and electronics and / or IT. For tracking and editing that means the Tonmeister from Surrey. For live work, that means experience and / or an electronics qualification.

5. And any other additional points will be great?

Get a good qualification in electronics or IT as your number one priority!!!

6. (My own number six!)

In the UK and the US, we desperately need some system similar to the German Tonmeister (7-year degree course) and Media Production Assistant (3-year apprenticeship) to replace the hodge-podge collection of bogus courses from bogus colleges, both public and private, that continue to peddle the myth that there are jobs out there, playing around with microphones and dufus software.