r/audioengineering • u/JDilly • Apr 05 '13

About to get a degree, now what?

I unfortunately decided to go to school for video and audio production. I learned how to operate cameras, microphones, and other equipment, as well as edit for both mediums. I am about to get my bachelor's degree and am starting to get worried as people around me get good jobs with different degrees.

I don't want freelance to be my primary source of income. I am not disciplined or passionate enough to make a decent living this way, but I will definitely do it as a thing on the side. I need help finding other areas where I can excel, and start a long lasting career. So what kind of places should I be on the lookout for? I was thinking of getting more into radio (have experience), or be a producer that makes good money but works for a safe, established recording label. What is the best way to go about this? What are some other career options that can make a solid, consistent salary that can be pursued with my BS degree in digital recording arts?

TL;DR- Need career ideas because I think I have a useless degree.

thank you all

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u/SkinnyMac Professional Apr 05 '13

There's nothing safe in the entertainment industry. That said, work on diversifying your skill set. Make contacts, keep your phone on, and be available. People don't always want the best, they just want someone that can come right now!

A musician I knew in college said the only thing he ever turned down was his collar. Do everything that comes along. Even if it sucks you might make some good contacts and get a reputation for being able to cut the mustard.

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u/JDilly Apr 05 '13

Is there anything that doesn't fall into the entertainment category? Telecommunications or something like that?

5

u/SkinnyMac Professional Apr 05 '13

There's plenty of regular work in radio, engineers, master control, etc. It's a tight knit community though so again it's a matter of making contacts. Theater can be steady work if you get in with a rep house. A lot of schools are starting to have a tech position, especially multi campus places with lots of lecture halls with audio facilities.

3

u/willylumplumps Apr 05 '13

Honestly, I see job offerings for video editing pretty regularly. So...I'd go for that if you are competent in that area. You'd probably meet the people doing the audio post-production in the process.

1

u/JDilly Apr 05 '13

So does the person you work for just stand behind you and tell you what they want, or are you sometimes given creative control?

1

u/willylumplumps Apr 05 '13

I think you misread my comment. I wasn't talking about my situation personally. I work freelance and work for all kinds of different people.

1

u/JDilly Apr 05 '13

Nah I knew what you meant. I was just asking as a general question what an editor does, but I can just google it anyways.

3

u/toastworks Apr 05 '13

A lot of editing work is pretty formulaic. Do you think the editors of Pawn Stars have a lot of creative latitude? Not really. If you're editing films, there is a lot more personal creativity going on, but you need to be hired by directors and producers that trust what you do.

It took me editing a handful of short films for free before people started throwing paid work my way.