In the Air Force:
Premier Band - The USAF Band; Regional Band Apprentice, Clarinet; Regional Band Apprentice, Steel Guitar; Regional Band Craftsman, Bassoon; Regional Band Craftsman, Saxophone; Regional Band Helper, Bagpipe; Regional Band Helper, Piano; Regional Band Journeyman, Audio Engineer; Regional Band Journeyman, Percussion; Signals Intelligence; Signals Intelligence Journeyman, Electronic Non-Communications Analyst
In the Army:
Intelligence Analyst; Signals Acquisition/Exploitation Analyst; Signals Collection Technician; Unit Supply Specialist; Visual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainer; Visual Information Specialist
In the Coast Guard:
Bandmaster; Musician; Public Affairs Specialist; Public Information Specialty
In the Marine Corps:
Combat Videographer; Communication Strategy and Operations Chief; Communications Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Operator; Cyberspace Warfare Chief
In the Navy:
Broadcaster; Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance); Live Production Technician; Multimedia Director/Producer; Musician
While the stars of popular media may get a lot of the recognition, their appearances are made possible —and optimized— by the work of broadcast and sound engineering technicians. They operate the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies. Audio and video equipment technicians handle equipment such as video screens, video monitors, microphones, and mixing boards. They record meetings, sports events, concerts, and conferences. Broadcast technicians set up and operate equipment that regulates the clarity, signal strength, sound, and color of the broadcasts. They use software to edit audio and video recordings. Sound engineering technicians run equipment that records and mixes music, voices, and sound effects. They work in recording studios, performance venues, and film and stage productions. Audio and video technicians typically work in studios, although some work on location for events or to broadcast news. They also set up systems in schools, hospitals, homes… or other locations. Technicians generally work full time, but schedules may include additional hours for live events or to keep up with production schedules. Radio and TV stations are typically on the air 24/7, so technicians’ hours may run around the clock. Broadcast technicians generally need an associate’s degree, while audio and video equipment technicians, and sound engineering technicians typically need a certificate or related training.
What they do:
Assemble and operate equipment to record, synchronize, mix, edit, or reproduce sound, including music, voices, or sound effects, for theater, video, film, television, podcasts, sporting events, and other productions.
On the job, you would:
Record speech, music, and other sounds on recording media, using recording equipment.
Confer with producers, performers, and others to determine and achieve the desired sound for a production, such as a musical recording or a film.
Separate instruments, vocals, and other sounds, and combine sounds during the mixing or postproduction stage.
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
product and service development
Communications
multimedia
telecommunications
Business
customer service
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
order or arrange things
create new and original ideas
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
Hearing and Speech
tell the difference between sounds
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation
Stress Tolerance
Achievement/Effort
You might use software like this on the job:
Operating system software
Apple macOS
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Music or sound editing software
Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
Audio editing software
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.