| Acknowledgements | vi |
| About the Author | vii |
| Introduction | ix |
Chapter 1 | Assistant Engineering 101 | 1 |
| Engineering, Defined | 2 |
| Changing Technologies Mean New Skills | 4 |
| An Educational Evolution | 6 |
| A Long List of Skills | 7 |
| Math and Science | 7 |
| Music | 8 |
| Electronics | 9 |
| Signal Flow | 9 |
| Web Skills | 10 |
| Human Hearing | 11 |
| Communication | 11 |
| Ears! | 11 |
| Opportunities in a Competitive Field | 12 |
| Beyond the Studio Gig | 13 |
| Music Recording | 13 |
| Sound Reinforcement | 15 |
| Film and Broadcast | 16 |
| Other Careers | 17 |
| Do Some Career Detective Work | 18 |
| Spotlight: Crystal Davis | 20 |
Chapter 2 | Your Game Plan | 23 |
| Creative Expression Through Technology | 23 |
| The Importance of Education | 24 |
| Research the Job Before Committing to School | 27 |
| What Type of Program is Best? | 28 |
| Music-Based | 28 |
| Industry/Business Specialty | 29 |
| Engineering Focus | 29 |
| Program Lengths | 29 |
| Seminars, Short Courses, Web Programs | 30 |
| Certificate/One-Year/Two-Year Programs | 30 |
| University Programs | 31 |
| Do You Need A Degree? | 32 |
| Selecting a School | 33 |
| Considerations | 34 |
| Making the Most of Your Education | 37 |
| At School, Outside the Classroom | 37 |
| Beyond the Campus: Out in the Field | 40 |
| Spotlight: Robert Scovill | 42 |
Chapter 3 | Going Where the Jobs Are | 45 |
| Moving to a Traditional Market | 45 |
| Big City, Big Lifestyle Change | 46 |
| Building a Career in a Secondary Market | 48 |
| Regional Considerations | 50 |
| City Comparison Chart | 51 |
| Spotlight: Janet Kalas | 52 |
Chapter 4 | Working For Free: The Internship | 55 |
| Big Or Small Facility? | 56 |
| Paid Vs. Unpaid Programs | 57 |
| Moving and Other Considerations | 58 |
| The Search Process | 58 |
| You, On Pare: The Resume | 59 |
| Resume Anatomy, Top to Bottom | 60 |
| Keeping it Clean: Style Tips | 62 |
| Finishing Touches | 63 |
| The Art of the Cover Letter | 64 |
| Contacting Facilities | 65 |
| The Interview | 66 |
| Pre-interview Research and Preparation | 66 |
| Day-of-Interview Do's and Don'ts | 67 |
| In the Interview | 68 |
| Post-Interview Follow-Up | 69 |
| Learning From Rejection | 70 |
| The Foot's In The Door: The Internship | 71 |
| Display A Professional Attitude | 71 |
| Know Your Place | 73 |
| Learn By Doing-Even Menial Tasks | 74 |
| Perseverance Is Key | 76 |
| When Bad Things Happen to Good Interns | 77 |
| Getting a Recommendation | 77 |
| Spotlight: Arthur Rochester | 79 |
Chapter 5 | Making the Cut: Landing an Assistant Gig | 81 |
| The Transition From Intern: What Now? | 81 |
| The Assistant's Role | 82 |
| Demonstrate Skills, Earn Respect | 84 |
| Make Yourself Indispensable | 85 |
| Master the Technology | 86 |
| Keep the Right Attitude | 87 |
| Learn Good Judgment | 88 |
| Spotlight: Roy Jorge | 90 |
Chapter 6 | Etiquette Do's and Don'ts | 93 |
| Acting the Part: You're a Professional | 93 |
| Be a Team Player | 96 |
| Assistants: Seen, Not Heard | 99 |
| Ethics in the Workplace | 101 |
| Crossing The Line | 102 |
| Spotlight: K.K. Proffitt | 105 |
Chapter 7 | Staying on Top of Your Game | 107 |
| Networking Equals Netting Jobs | 107 |
| Get Out There, Get Involved | 108 |
| Continuing your Education, Avoiding Complacency | 109 |
| Moving On | 110 |
| Finding Your Niche | 111 |
| Strive for Life Balance | 112 |
| Giving Back to the Community | 113 |
| A Long-Term Strategy For Success | 114 |
| Resources: Industry Foundations/Support Groups | 117 |
| Resources: Audio Industry Organizations | 119 |
| Resources: Audio Education Programs | 125 |
| Resources: Industry Trade Magazines | 157 |
| Resources: Trade Shows and Industry Events | 161 |
| Resources: Sample Letters | 163 |
| Networking Letter: Informal E-mail | 164 |
| Internship Cover Letter | 165 |
| Thank You Letter | 166 |
| Resources: Sample Resumes | 167 |
| Index | 171 |