Technically speaking: Behind-the-Scenes Broadcasting Jobs

If you were the type of kid who liked to take apart video tapes rather than star in childhood home videos, the type who preferred math and physics in high school to communications and English, and the kind who was in the engineering club rather than the campus radio, you may be surprised to know that a job in broadcasting might be perfect for you.

Behind the scenes of the glamorous broadcasting world, a technical hub of professionals work day and night to ensure that the show will go on. These talented professionals play an incredible part in making sure broadcasts goes smoothly, but not everyone with technical skills considers broadcasting as a potential job field. This article will discuss the technical side of broadcasting, including the variety of technical jobs available in the broadcasting field.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that employment of audio and video equipment technicians and sound engineering technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Becoming a broadcasting technician is easier than ever, for several reasons. The Federal Communications Commission no longer requires the licensing of broadcast technicians, as the Telecommunications Act of 1996 abolished this requirement. (It is still a good idea to get some sort of certification of training however; either by completing a broadcasting school or passing an exam from somewhere like the Society of Broadcast Engineers.)

Also, the technical side of broadcasting has never been more sophisticated, and is only going to increase in breadth and scope. With the dawn of digital recording, methods of broadcasting are vastly increasing and improving the way information is transmitted. Consequently, technical broadcasting skills are more valuable, and more in demand, than ever. Because of technological advances in broadcasting tools however, it is essential that aspiring broadcasting techs cultivate strong computer networking and software skills. These skills can be taught at broadcasting schools, technical schools, or through training programs or one-on-one mentorships.

Another factor that makes breaking into technical broadcasting relatively easy is that many areas don't require a college degree. Though computer-savvy and some kind of certification- such as that provided by broadcasting schools-is helpful, a formal secondary education is not necessary in several main broad-tech fields. Jobs such as audio and video equipment technician or radio operator generally require a high school diploma, allowing broadcasting school, on-the-job training, or apprenticeships program to substitute for secondary education.

Learn the differences between the various technical broadcasting professions to see if one of these fast-growing fields might be right for you!

Some common technical jobs in the broadcasting industry are for sound engineering technicians and radio operators. Sound engineering technicians and radio operators arrange, operate, and maintain various broadcasting-related electrical and electronic equipment. Tools used to conduct plays, concerts, musical recordings, TV shows, and movies all fall into this field, so a career in broadcasting calls for many technical backgrounds. Even if the only experience you have is working the sound on a school play, with the help of a broadcasting school, you might be able to get a foot in the door as a broadcasting sound technician.

Another common technical broadcasting vocation is an audio and video equipment technician. These talented techs set up and conduct audio and video equipment, from microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, recording equipment, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipments for broadcasting venues. They may also be involved in setting up lighting.

A broadcasting technician is another position available for technical types who still want a job in an exciting, fast-paced field. Broadcasting technicians set up, run and manage equipment that measures signal strength, clarity, and sound and color of radio and television broadcasts. They also work control panels to select the source of the material. Technicians in this field have a lot of vocational range, able to float from camera to studio, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.

The sound engineering technician holds another important job in broadcasting. This mixmaster runs the machines and equipment that records, synchronizes, mixes, and copies music, voices, or sound effects in a recording studio.

A radio operator also plays an important role in broadcasting as the "Mr./Ms. Fix-Its" of radio. A radio operator receives and transmits communications using a variety of tools. They mend dysfunctional or broken equipment, using every method of correction from electronic testing to power tools. These important broadcasting professionals are the people who keep the communications systems in working order.

There is also a production side to technical broadcasting. Do you ever wonder who puts together those awesome movie soundtracks, or who creates the cascade of glitter that seems to fall like magic in your favorite play? Recording engineers are in charge of the video and sound recording equipment, making sure it runs smoothly and is well maintained. They run the special effects equipment, creating cool stuff like scary shrieks or a burst of fog. Sound mixers or rerecording mixers produce the soundtrack of movies and television programs. They are also the people who "dub" films to insert sounds.

Field technicians are another tech type who make a vocational home in broadcasting. It's a mobile home though, as field technicians are the people who work alongside the broadcasting crew out of the office, setting up and running portable transmission equipment on site.

Chief engineers, transmission engineers, and broadcast field supervisors are more managerial positions. At this level, your job is to oversee technical work and the maintenance of broadcasting equipment, rather than actually do it.

Though there are obviously several specialized fields in technical broadcasting, just as in on-air broadcasting, in smaller stations jobs and duties can tend to overlap. Just as a news anchor may also write and produce news, behind-the-scenes broadcasting duties can intermingle also. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators may be asked to perform a variety of technical duties outside their own particular job description. In a smaller station, "operator," "engineer" and "technician" might all refer to the same person, and the job would include anything from documenting outgoing signals and operate transmitters, to set-up, service, and repair of electronic broadcasting tools. At larger stations and networks, there is more room for specialization, so evaluate what you love and shoot for that market. If you are an all-around-tech-junkie, a smaller market where you get to have your hands in a little bit of everything might be better suited for you. But if you have a specific area of technical broadcasting that you love, concentrate on specializing in that craft and working your way into a larger market.

In general, the working conditions of the broadcast technician are pleasant and agreeable. Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators usually work indoors in reasonable working environments. The exception to this would be field techs who broadcast news from on-site locations, or maintenance techs whose work might call them to climb poles or antenna towers.

The workload of a technical broadcaster varies according to the size of the market in which they work. Technicians at larger stations usually work 40-hour weeks under extreme deadline pressure, and may have to work overtime if things are not done in time. When you are starting out in broadcasting, even in the technical side, you can expect to work overtime, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Such is the 24-7 nature of the airwaves. At times, depending on your position, this might be in an on-call basis only.

Broadcasting and sound engineering technicians and radio operators held about 93,000 jobs in 2002, according to the U.S Department of Labor. About 32% of these professionals worked in broadcasting, according to statistics. The rest worked in television, marketing departments, or were self-employed. This survey found that technician jobs in radio were available in many small towns. At a more advanced level, the most high-paying and specialized jobs were located in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, DC. By attending a broadcasting school and getting placement in a small station in your town, you could be on your way to one of these big-time broadcasting centers!

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that one of the best way to prepare for a job in technical broadcasting is to attend a technical broadcasting school and learn about electronics, computer networking and general broadcast technology. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, reputation and determination are the two defining factors in getting a job in broadcasting. We recommend attending a broadcasting school, which represents dedication to your craft and also introduces you to broadcasting professionals so that you can begin to acquire a good broadcasting reputation.

For a beginning broadcaster, the best way to learn technical skills is from an experienced mentor. If you don't know how to get one, a broadcasting school or apprenticeship program can generally hook you up with a mentor who will teach you the tricks of the broad-tech trade. Getting hands-on experience in a smaller station will help you to move up the broadcasting ladder. As you progress professionally, many broadcasting stations are willing to pay for tuition for broadcasting school courses or training programs to help keep their technicians on the cutting edge of broadcasting technology.

Whatever your technological preference, there is a bevy of broadcasting careers available for behind-the-scenes people. If you consider technology a hobby or a pleasurable pastime, consider parlaying this interest into an exciting career in the world of broadcasting! Remember, broadcasting is not just for extroverts who love the limelight! There are many broadcasting professions that have much more to do with power cords than public scrutiny, so contact a broadcasting school today to begin exploring your options!

Some information taken from the U.S. Department of Labor
www.bls.gov