Most people view working in the movies, television, and even radio as a pipe dream, but an audio/visual degree could make that dream a reality. Those with audio/visual degrees can become:
- Audio recording engineers
- Boom operators
- Broadcast and sound engineering technicians
- Film and video editors
- Radio operators
- Sound effects editors
Exciting Audio Careers
Sound engineering technicians control all of the sound on the set or location, choosing the equipment and setting it up with the help of film recorders. Film and video editors help cut the film or program together to assemble the finished product. Finally, sound effects editors and audio recording engineers add the prerecorded and live sound, music, and ambient noise to the completed film or TV show.
What's the Best Audio/Visual Degree Program?
Audio/Visual degree programs are available on-campus and online. Online education has the advantage of a flexible schedule and the convenience of learning from home, which can make it easier to maintain a full-time job while you study. Whether you choose to study online or on-campus, obtaining an internship in radio, music videos, or corporate films and videos can help give you the practical experience that employers value.
As digital technology has advanced and become such a part of our culture, coursework in digital editing, video, and electronic mixing can prove especially useful. Many also prepare for jobs in this field or for a promotion with degrees in broadcast technology, electronics, or computer networking.
Audio/Visual Career Prospects
Approximately 24 percent of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators work in radio and at television stations, 10 percent go into the motion picture, video, and sound recording industries, and 6 percent work with colleges, universities, and professional schools. The rest go into other industries including sales, training programs, and employee communications. In May 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sound engineering technicians earned a median annual wage of $56,610. Those working in Motion Picture and Video industry earned highest with median annual wage of $75,870. Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers earned $62,420.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sound Engineering Technicians