I do lines
....
...
of code.
Want to continue doing it, just in a better company where I actually feel like I'm considered.
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.Good idea for a thread. I know some audio engineers, it's a demanding schedule for sure.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
I do lines
....
...
of code.
Want to continue doing it, just in a better company where I actually feel like I'm considered.
I spent 8 years as a CNC toolmaker and taking night classes, then about two years ago left the trade to come on staff part-time at my church as the facilities and tech coordinator.
Instead I watch dota 2 for a livingboo ****ing hoo
Word. Our church has a lot of volunteers, so ideally, I'm never the one actually changing the flusher or mowing the green space. Ideally.I spent 8 years as a CNC toolmaker and taking night classes, then about two years ago left the trade to come on staff part-time at my church as the facilities and tech coordinator.
I've found that the title "coordinator" comes with an ungodly amount of crazy **** to do lol
Jealous I wanna be good at audio design. Instead I watch dota 2 for a living
I wish i could do something audio engineer related.
I've never had much idea where I'm going career wise so got a degree in Computing and Information Systems (a waste of time jack of all trades master of none degree looking back) and having failed to get any job in IT for 3 months after qualifying (pre recession) I gave up and became a temp in payroll which I could have done straight out of school and saved myself thousands in student loans. I've now been there nearly 9 years and following a couple of promotions these days I mainly do support/development of spreadsheets to automate anything from checking payroll reports to producing employment contracts, and lots of reporting. Everyone thinks I'm great but I'm dissatisfied because my work isn't perfect...
What's next? Nothing until I put some effort in to re-qualifying, but after a dull day at work I can think of nothing worse than spending more time doing non-fun stuff. I like doing to learn but am now too old and have too many living expenses to get an apprenticeship so pretty sure I'm officially stuck for life.
I am glad I get to write whenever it's needed (or I feel like it), but lately I have been given a lot more duties (with zero increase in pay - I make the same as someone who does 1/5 of my work). Don't mind the duties if I am being compensated accordingly, but ideally I would just write technical documentation, or be a Knowledge Manager/Director.
I work in IT support and have a project of building a knowledge base for my organization; I've written most of its content so far (upwards of 300+ articles). Currently all knowledge is being reviewed and I plan to completely overhaul the KB.
I am glad I get to write whenever it's needed (or I feel like it), but lately I have been given a lot more duties (with zero increase in pay - I make the same as someone who does 1/5 of my work). Don't mind the duties if I am being compensated accordingly, but ideally I would just write technical documentation, or be a Knowledge Manager/Director.
Though, I am pretty young so I am really just sticking it out so I can get experience/certifications, and could work anywhere that's hiring writers in the future (even remotely)
I've never had much idea where I'm going career wise so got a degree in Computing and Information Systems (a waste of time jack of all trades master of none degree looking back) and having failed to get any job in IT for 3 months after qualifying (pre recession) I gave up and became a temp in payroll which I could have done straight out of school and saved myself thousands in student loans. I've now been there nearly 9 years and following a couple of promotions these days I mainly do support/development of spreadsheets to automate anything from checking payroll reports to producing employment contracts, and lots of reporting. Everyone thinks I'm great but I'm dissatisfied because my work isn't perfect...
What's next? Nothing until I put some effort in to re-qualifying, but after a dull day at work I can think of nothing worse than spending more time doing non-fun stuff. I like doing to learn but am now too old and have too many living expenses to get an apprenticeship so pretty sure I'm officially stuck for life.
Interesting, so you believe the Computer Information Systems was a waste? Thats what I am currently enrolled in, although it is only my second semester. I am taking it to learn, obtaining the degree is secondary. Can you recommend a different degree /path?
The course I took was a waste but as you may be in a different country, let alone university, I'm not going to say yours will be :)
The problem is that I learned the basics of networking topologies/design, databases, desktop/server hardware, Active Directory, game design, programming, web design, Office... but when it came to the world of work either employers want a specialist in one (or better two) of these areas or they want someone with enough experience to be trusted as a one-man IT department and I was neither.
By the time I've gained enough work and life experience to be the latter everything I learned is obsolete - Server 2003 has been replaced twice, ADSL is old news with the world going fibre, they trashed Office so any advanced things are near impossible to find, wiring a LAN is pointless as desktops are being phased out because wifi is actually usable...
I can't recommend anything specific except that you should pick something specific. Even if that just means picking appropriate modules within your current course, don't try and learn everything because it's interesting and expect it to help with getting a job.
Here's one of my more recent finished products:Nothing makes me happier than good cable management.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/VOoYtiC.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/42TZpNA.jpg)
I work in low voltage. Mainly data and phone networks. I start at the construction phase and work until the end. It is very rare that I ever have to touch any server or networking equipment.The Snapchat cable management master!
On some occasions I work as an electrician, although I think the technical term based on my limited years of experience is electrician helper.
I've been doing this since 2001. I don't see myself doing anything else. I do plan on getting out of the field and into the office as a project manager, estimator, or designer/engineer.
Here's one of my more recent finished products:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/VOoYtiC.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/42TZpNA.jpg)
I work in low voltage. Mainly data and phone networks. I start at the construction phase and work until the end. It is very rare that I ever have to touch any server or networking equipment.
On some occasions I work as an electrician, although I think the technical term based on my limited years of experience is electrician helper.
I've been doing this since 2001. I don't see myself doing anything else. I do plan on getting out of the field and into the office as a project manager, estimator, or designer/engineer.
Here's one of my more recent finished products:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/VOoYtiC.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/42TZpNA.jpg)
not sure how well IT knowledge writing transfers to technical programming documentation, but it's by far the most valuable skill for programmers (seriously undermanned segment of the industry). It is a huge door opener for team lead positions/freelance work.
sticking it out would probably be a smart move; making sure the work you do can be reused for a better position later on.
Think of the experience you gain as an investment in your career. Sure you may not make as much as you feel you deserve based on what you do, but the next job you get you will have some killer items to put on your resume, and won't hesitate to ask for a higher starting salary
Manufacturing Engineer at the largest jet engine manufacturer. I help build test and prototype engines.
I think I'd like to go work in the test division next....or do something more creative based like freelance writer.
Yes! Freelance writing! Tough but rewarding...what would you write?
Attorney. My office is actually pretty mech-heavy. Out of 5 attorneys, 3 have mechs. I got my boss a QFR w/ blues and my coworker an M0116 w/ Salmon Alps. They are very happy with them :)Remember when I asked you why you used to think trolling was a good idea and you gave me a long explanation? You could have just said you were a lawyer.
Attorney. My office is actually pretty mech-heavy. Out of 5 attorneys, 3 have mechs. I got my boss a QFR w/ blues and my coworker an M0116 w/ Salmon Alps. They are very happy with them :)Remember when I asked you why you used to think trolling was a good idea and you gave me a long explanation? You could have just said you were a lawyer.
I was just taking the cheap shot. I love my lawyer. He has a client picnic every summer with cool giveaways for kids and stuff, and he's just a gregarious old guy making an honest living.Attorney. My office is actually pretty mech-heavy. Out of 5 attorneys, 3 have mechs. I got my boss a QFR w/ blues and my coworker an M0116 w/ Salmon Alps. They are very happy with them :)Remember when I asked you why you used to think trolling was a good idea and you gave me a long explanation? You could have just said you were a lawyer.
Plus I'm a hypocrite. I'm the first to jump on people when they stereotype lawyers and there I went being a prick for no reason.
In all fairness, most lawyers I know are of average or above-average morality/integrity. AFAIK lawyer jokes are longstanding but they got much worse in I believe the '80's when US Chamber of commerce funded a PR campaign to discredit the profession as a whole. They wanted to create a legislative climate receptive to pro-(big, corporate) defendant legislation (e.g. damage caps, restrictions on contingency fees, etc.).
That being said, most prosecutors are scum. I do civil litigation partly b/c I can't stand them.
QA Lead for Microsoft. Not too fond of bugtesting, in fact you might say I hate it. But apparently I am good at it (or at least good at spreadsheets and filing wordy but useless reports) and it was the path that I was forced to take in the industry I love.
I want to be in production, but I have absolutely no clue how to move from my department to a department with more fulfilling work. Once you are put in a position the company sort of pigeonholes you into that role forever.
Software engineer for a Fortune 100 company. I'm at the tail end of a 2 year graduate program, and I'm finding it to be very satisfying and even fun most days, even though other days can be a bit of a frustration.
Not only is my office mech-friendly, but when I asked my manager at the time how she'd feel about me buying a mech to replace my crusty Dell membrane (regarding the noise it would make), she not only approved it, but had the company pay for it as well.
I work as a Principal Systems Administrator in Security Operations. It is both annoying and rewarding. I like the work I do, but the parent company that we all report up to is not security focused, and they often leave me feeling crippled by proceedure and 'paperwork'. I have to fill out 5 different time cards every week. And I'm salary, so it literally doesn't matter what I put on them, I'm getting the same check regardless. It is stupid.
In the future I'd like to stay in the same field, but work for a smaller company that has understands the value a good Ops Sec department can bring. Either that, or work as a consultant so that I don't have to answer to any corporate overloard (as much, anyway). Just do the work and move on to the next job.
I've worked 11 years as sound technician, operating audio mixing consoles. Meanwhile, I also made some freelance coding when in college.
Next month it'll be 9 years that I'm working for the Brazilian government at the Brazil Attorney Office (Ministério Público Federal in Portuguese). Good (but not great) pay, (now) boring work. Highest point in career was when a guy pointed a gun at me when running away from a robbery (I was working outside that day).
I work with crazy people.Self employed then?
I work with crazy people.
I work with crazy people.Self employed then?
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
Very Cool! I have a degree in Audio Engineering but mainly stick to working in analog studios as an engineer at this point, which means flying out to Chicago or Nashville usually. Used to run sound for some larger metal bands when they were coming through but touring and being married would be hard and no run so I try to stick closer to home more now. I do still record and run live shows in a local record store, easily as fun as the bigger shows, if not more at times.
Other than that I run a small keyboard blog that sucks up way too much time. ;)
I was just taking the cheap shot. I love my lawyer. He has a client picnic every summer with cool giveaways for kids and stuff, and he's just a gregarious old guy making an honest living.Attorney. My office is actually pretty mech-heavy. Out of 5 attorneys, 3 have mechs. I got my boss a QFR w/ blues and my coworker an M0116 w/ Salmon Alps. They are very happy with them :)Remember when I asked you why you used to think trolling was a good idea and you gave me a long explanation? You could have just said you were a lawyer.
Plus I'm a hypocrite. I'm the first to jump on people when they stereotype lawyers and there I went being a prick for no reason.
In all fairness, most lawyers I know are of average or above-average morality/integrity. AFAIK lawyer jokes are longstanding but they got much worse in I believe the '80's when US Chamber of commerce funded a PR campaign to discredit the profession as a whole. They wanted to create a legislative climate receptive to pro-(big, corporate) defendant legislation (e.g. damage caps, restrictions on contingency fees, etc.).
That being said, most prosecutors are scum. I do civil litigation partly b/c I can't stand them.
Society became extremely litigious around the '80s, so that probably has a lot to do with it as well. I'd love to read about that PR campaign you mentioned, if you have any references.
I work with crazy people.Self employed then?
Want to continue doing it, just in a better company where I actually feel like I'm considered.
It's very interesting reading about everything, there's a fair amount of cool jobs out there.
I'm currently a full time student going for a Computer Engineering degree. I come from a family of Mechanical Engineers so I'm the odd one out. :thumb:
I'm a freshman but in discussion with a family friend in Google working on an internship after my sophomore year. I've also been offered an internship at UPMC Pittsburgh in their IT department for either their networking or program development for their hospitals, haven't looked into it too much.
It's very interesting reading about everything, there's a fair amount of cool jobs out there.
I'm currently a full time student going for a Computer Engineering degree. I come from a family of Mechanical Engineers so I'm the odd one out. :thumb:
I'm a freshman but in discussion with a family friend in Google working on an internship after my sophomore year. I've also been offered an internship at UPMC Pittsburgh in their IT department for either their networking or program development for their hospitals, haven't looked into it too much.
Get as many internships done as you can while you're still in college and try to get a couple different places under your belt - will help you a huge amount when you have to get a real job when you finish
It's very interesting reading about everything, there's a fair amount of cool jobs out there.
I'm currently a full time student going for a Computer Engineering degree. I come from a family of Mechanical Engineers so I'm the odd one out. :thumb:
I'm a freshman but in discussion with a family friend in Google working on an internship after my sophomore year. I've also been offered an internship at UPMC Pittsburgh in their IT department for either their networking or program development for their hospitals, haven't looked into it too much.
Get as many internships done as you can while you're still in college and try to get a couple different places under your belt - will help you a huge amount when you have to get a real job when you finish
Thanks for the advice, I don't want to bank on Google but that is my dream place to be. I'm definitely planning on doing as many internships as I can but I believe that I won't be able to after my freshman year, so it looks like next summer will be another one working for dad. :p
It's very interesting reading about everything, there's a fair amount of cool jobs out there.
I'm currently a full time student going for a Computer Engineering degree. I come from a family of Mechanical Engineers so I'm the odd one out. :thumb:
I'm a freshman but in discussion with a family friend in Google working on an internship after my sophomore year. I've also been offered an internship at UPMC Pittsburgh in their IT department for either their networking or program development for their hospitals, haven't looked into it too much.
Get as many internships done as you can while you're still in college and try to get a couple different places under your belt - will help you a huge amount when you have to get a real job when you finish
Thanks for the advice, I don't want to bank on Google but that is my dream place to be. I'm definitely planning on doing as many internships as I can but I believe that I won't be able to after my freshman year, so it looks like next summer will be another one working for dad. :p
Yeah if you want to work at Google you're going to have to work your butt off - that place is for Comp Sci students what SpaceX is for aerospace engineers or what Goldman Sachs is for finance grads
It's very interesting reading about everything, there's a fair amount of cool jobs out there.
I'm currently a full time student going for a Computer Engineering degree. I come from a family of Mechanical Engineers so I'm the odd one out. :thumb:
I'm a freshman but in discussion with a family friend in Google working on an internship after my sophomore year. I've also been offered an internship at UPMC Pittsburgh in their IT department for either their networking or program development for their hospitals, haven't looked into it too much.
Get as many internships done as you can while you're still in college and try to get a couple different places under your belt - will help you a huge amount when you have to get a real job when you finish
Thanks for the advice, I don't want to bank on Google but that is my dream place to be. I'm definitely planning on doing as many internships as I can but I believe that I won't be able to after my freshman year, so it looks like next summer will be another one working for dad. :p
Yeah if you want to work at Google you're going to have to work your butt off - that place is for Comp Sci students what SpaceX is for aerospace engineers or what Goldman Sachs is for finance grads
Whatever it takes I'll do but there's a lot of sleepless nights studying ahead of me. I don't want to screw up this wonderful opportunity I've been given, ironically as I'm typing this and studying for my physics exam this Tuesday the kids in the apartment above me have been getting **** faced since 10 a.m. today. :p
Manufacturing Engineer at the largest jet engine manufacturer. I help build test and prototype engines.
I think I'd like to go work in the test division next....or do something more creative based like freelance writer.
They're not the biggest manufacturer ;). I did work for em in the past though.Manufacturing Engineer at the largest jet engine manufacturer. I help build test and prototype engines.
I think I'd like to go work in the test division next....or do something more creative based like freelance writer.
Didn't realize you worked for P&W ;D
They're not the biggest manufacturer ;). I did work for em in the past though.Manufacturing Engineer at the largest jet engine manufacturer. I help build test and prototype engines.
I think I'd like to go work in the test division next....or do something more creative based like freelance writer.
Didn't realize you worked for P&W ;D
My normal job is working as a computer science teacher but for the last year started working at a special behaviour school so trying to teach programming to kids who prefer to throw computers haha.Sounds like a worthwhile challenge! Difficult, but rewarding I hope.
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
Very Cool! I have a degree in Audio Engineering but mainly stick to working in analog studios as an engineer at this point, which means flying out to Chicago or Nashville usually. Used to run sound for some larger metal bands when they were coming through but touring and being married would be hard and no run so I try to stick closer to home more now. I do still record and run live shows in a local record store, easily as fun as the bigger shows, if not more at times.
Other than that I run a small keyboard blog that sucks up way too much time. ;)
Best PM me next time you're in Chi-Town. Audio career AND keyboard lover? We should go out for a drink sometime :D
I work at a steel mill in the Process Control department. Basically I write automation code for the steel creation process. Do some IT work as well for the process related computers. It can go from fun to boring to extremely stressful all in the same day. When I am not at work I like to develop different projects and post about them online. I have also been spending some of my time 3D modeling some stuff for my keyboards. Embedded programming is my hobby and where my wealth of information lies.
It's really cool to see all the varying backgrounds that you keyboard enthusiasts come from. I also love how small but large this community is! Really cool stuff going on here.
I work at a steel mill in the Process Control department. Basically I write automation code for the steel creation process. Do some IT work as well for the process related computers. It can go from fun to boring to extremely stressful all in the same day. When I am not at work I like to develop different projects and post about them online. I have also been spending some of my time 3D modeling some stuff for my keyboards. Embedded programming is my hobby and where my wealth of information lies.
It's really cool to see all the varying backgrounds that you keyboard enthusiasts come from. I also love how small but large this community is! Really cool stuff going on here.
Thats awesome! I bet a steel mill is pretty cool to work at. Made me immediately think about this...
lumber yard, not steel mill, but i just picture a huge industrial building like that. The 3D modeling sounds great as well!
I work at a steel mill in the Process Control department. Basically I write automation code for the steel creation process. Do some IT work as well for the process related computers. It can go from fun to boring to extremely stressful all in the same day. When I am not at work I like to develop different projects and post about them online. I have also been spending some of my time 3D modeling some stuff for my keyboards. Embedded programming is my hobby and where my wealth of information lies.
It's really cool to see all the varying backgrounds that you keyboard enthusiasts come from. I also love how small but large this community is! Really cool stuff going on here.
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
Very Cool! I have a degree in Audio Engineering but mainly stick to working in analog studios as an engineer at this point, which means flying out to Chicago or Nashville usually. Used to run sound for some larger metal bands when they were coming through but touring and being married would be hard and no run so I try to stick closer to home more now. I do still record and run live shows in a local record store, easily as fun as the bigger shows, if not more at times.
Other than that I run a small keyboard blog that sucks up way too much time. ;)
Best PM me next time you're in Chi-Town. Audio career AND keyboard lover? We should go out for a drink sometime :D
Obviously ;D Same if you ever hit NC up.
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
Very Cool! I have a degree in Audio Engineering but mainly stick to working in analog studios as an engineer at this point, which means flying out to Chicago or Nashville usually. Used to run sound for some larger metal bands when they were coming through but touring and being married would be hard and no run so I try to stick closer to home more now. I do still record and run live shows in a local record store, easily as fun as the bigger shows, if not more at times.
Other than that I run a small keyboard blog that sucks up way too much time. ;)
Best PM me next time you're in Chi-Town. Audio career AND keyboard lover? We should go out for a drink sometime :D
Obviously ;D Same if you ever hit NC up.
Wow. I'm from Chi-town (no one here says that aloud) too and I was just in NC last week!
Anyway, I'm a paralegal. I write and act for small groups on the side, and the intention was to keep pursuing that but get a career to make ends meet. The career I planned? Being an English professor.
Cue laughter here.
Ended up getting my master's in it and realized it was a dead end after that, so law school it is.
We all know some of each others keyboard related skills, but you may not know what we do everyday to pay for this crazy hobby. Feel free to share your profession, your school studies, your unemployed situation, and where you hope to take your career next.
Many of you know that I make plastic in my basement for ****s and giggles. But when I'm not wearing a respirator and sitting under a vapor hood, I am a stagehand! I went to school to do audio design, and ended up working on live shows in Chicago's stagehand Union. I never know what I am doing or where I am going until the night before, but you get used to not having a schedule eventually. The work is a very wide range of skilled labor; building audio systems, lighting and electrical, large scale carpentry, and rigging steel to name a few.
The scale changes very much as well. One day I am at united center loading in a household name in music with over 60 people, the next I could be teching an off Broadway production with 3 other guys. Sometimes it's 4am to dinner time, sometimes it's 12pm-12am. You just never know. The pay rate changes depending on the theater or event, but it all works out as long as you don't turn down a job. The physical work can be very taxing, but if I stay with the union long enough I'll hopefully be able to pick what jobs will work best for me and my skills.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/cX7ET6C.jpg)
This was the other week, loading in Madonna. Building a thrust part of the stage hours before the show. (5am-5pm load in, 11:30pm-5am load out. What a day)
Very Cool! I have a degree in Audio Engineering but mainly stick to working in analog studios as an engineer at this point, which means flying out to Chicago or Nashville usually. Used to run sound for some larger metal bands when they were coming through but touring and being married would be hard and no run so I try to stick closer to home more now. I do still record and run live shows in a local record store, easily as fun as the bigger shows, if not more at times.
Other than that I run a small keyboard blog that sucks up way too much time. ;)
Best PM me next time you're in Chi-Town. Audio career AND keyboard lover? We should go out for a drink sometime :D
Obviously ;D Same if you ever hit NC up.
Wow. I'm from Chi-town (no one here says that aloud) too and I was just in NC last week!
Anyway, I'm a paralegal. I write and act for small groups on the side, and the intention was to keep pursuing that but get a career to make ends meet. The career I planned? Being an English professor.
Cue laughter here.
Ended up getting my master's in it and realized it was a dead end after that, so law school it is.
Lol I say Chi-raq occasionally.
I might make a post when I've got some free time to meetup for drink, or a full on bring-your-boards meetup. Lots of Windy City residents that I don't know yet!
There's nothing wrong with wanting to teach, but gotta pay the bills first and foremost :P