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Sound Technology Degrees: Career Options for Graduates with Sound Technology Degrees

Published Nov 17, 2009

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Graduates with sound technology degrees can work as broadcast technicians, radio operators, audiovisual equipment technicians, live sound engineers or recording sound engineers. This article describes career options for those who have completed diploma or degree programs in sound technology, broadcast technology or sound engineering technology.

Sound Technology Career Options

Because many types of jobs exist within the sound technology field, educational requirements may vary, depending upon the specialization. On-the-job training is accepted for some positions. Entry-level workers may set up and operate sound equipment for television broadcasts, studio recording sessions or live performances. This can include carrying and placing cameras, microphones and recording devices into place. Competition for sound technician positions is high in metropolitan areas, as well as in certain fields, such as movie and television production.

Broadcast Technology Career Options

For broadcast technician jobs, most employers recommend completion of an associate's degree program. In small television or radio stations, broadcast technicians might be expected to perform many duties, including monitoring and tracking outgoing signals and operating the control panels that select the broadcast source and regulate signal strength, range and clarity. Broadcast technicians in larger organizations may be assigned more specialized duties.

Sound Engineering Career Options

Those pursuing careers in sound engineering technology usually take high school classes emphasizing mathematics, electronics and physics. A typical vocational school program in sound engineering can be completed in about one year. Sound engineering technicians operate equipment to mix, copy, synchronize or record many different types of sounds and other audio signals. Job environments may include theater productions, sports arenas, television or radio stations and recording studios.

Sound engineers with management aspirations often complete additional formal education. A bachelor's degree in communications, information technology or computer science is preferred for those with administrative and supervisory duties. A chief engineer may be expected to pursue continuing education classes in order to stay abreast of emerging developments in the field. Certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) serves as recognition of professional competency.

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