My position as Audiovisual Technician was actually scratch-created specifically for me! It comprises of three main, and once separate, jobs - Technician for Spectrum Channel 1022: Alliance, Auditorium Technician/Technical Theater Director, and IT Audiovisual Technician. Basically, I'm a hands-on working Administrator who oversees all audiovisual-related things for the school district (intercom systems, TV systems, PA systems, live-streaming equipment, theatrical lighting and audiovisual systems, etc.) as well as managing two paid student staff teams - Channel 1022 Staff and Stage Crew.
Why Mount Union?
I chose Mount Union for a variety of reasons - they had the major that I was looking for, the campus was beautiful, there were plenty of opportunities for involvement between on-campus jobs and clubs/organizations, the class sizes were smaller and allowed for personable experiences, the campus was close enough to home that I could be a commuter if I wanted to, and they offered me a financial aid package that brought down the cost of attendance to something comparable with attending a community college. Mount Union was all-around the best pick!
Hands-On Experience
My involvements on-campus and the professional connections made while a student are the sole reason I have the career that I do. My degree prepared me with the knowledge and skillsets for the job, but my involvement with WRMU and the Kehres Stadium Video Production Team, among many others while a student, gave me the industry experience and real-world exposure to be able to go from graduation to landing a custom-built open-ended full-time managerial/directorial position within my industry in less than two years!
Loving My Job
I absolutely LOVE how my full-time job is literally all of my hobbies and passions! I also love how there's an educational component to it that allows me to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of industry professionals within my field.
Staying Connected
I currently serve as a liaison between the University of Mount Union and Alliance City Schools by overseeing the use of University production equipment within Kehres Stadium during home Alliance High School football games, which are played within the stadium. I started working for the Team as an inaugural member in 2017 while I was a Sophomore and stayed a member throughout the rest of my collegiate career.
Preparation for a Changing World
Many people consider my career fields of radio and television to be a "dying industry", which it isn't. The industry is simply shifting to adopt newer technologies and methods. Much like how the landline evolved to become the cellphone, radio and television are evolving into podcasting and live-streaming. The jobs are very much still there, it's just that the job descriptions and required skillsets have changed. Instead of looking for "TV Show Hosts", companies are instead looking for "Viral Content Creators". - they're literally the exact same thing, just with different skill sets. I hope to convince upcoming generations that these industries are not only still relevant, but also practical, profitable, and fun!