Electrical Engineering College?

Edwards Finance > Electrical Engineering

Q. There is no such beast. An undergrad degree in EE will not specialize in audio (at least at any of the colleges I'm aware of). If you go the EE route you will have to wait until at least the Masters level before you will get to work on audio stuff (that is, you will do research often of your own choosing at this level). I was a recording engineer first (still am part time), then went back to school and am now in a PhD program and I guarantee you traditional engineering curriculum has nothing to do with what most of us on this group think of when we say 'audio engineer'. If you want to be an overeducated maintenance tech or you think you'd like to eventually design all the toys we use then by all means get a EE degree. Hell, get it anyway. It can't hurt but it won't help in the way I suspect you are thinking. I actually went back to school 'cause I got a job as a maintenance tech at a studio and started really getting into electronics for its own sake. OK, that's the grumpy old man news. Here's a possible solution out of many. Go to one of those short term trade school courses like The Recording Workshop (I did way back when) to get some knowledge of what you are wanting to do. A lot of people decide at that point that it isn't what they thought it was (then they are only out the $2500 and a few weeks, not 4 years). Then gofer for a recording studio. You may have to do this a few times before you are offered a paying position. Don't give up and you'll eventually get to where you want to go. Regardless, still go to college. It will be tough but you can still be a second engineer at a studio and take college classes part time. It will broaden your options and make you more marketable in the long run. Don't fall for that 'get this degree so you have something to fall back on' crap. Do something because you've got passion for it and then do it well. Having something to fall back on is a good idea but not if its something you loathe to do. It is beneficial to have a passion for more than one thing.

A. -I an 16 and i want to be a recording engineer. I have talked to some people who say that i should get my degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in audio. What do you think of that? Any suggestions would be appreciated. -I would suggest a degree in EE. My first job in a recording studio was (as your's will be) cleaning studios and getting cofee. I got a chance to advance faster than other interns simply because I had a pretty good knowledge of electrical type stuff. There was a problem, the tech turned his pager off, and I was the only one who had an idea how to fix it. You have to think of the market. I live in the Boston area, and we have quite a few of those two year schools pumping out tons of what I call "Credit Card" engineers. People who are only engineers because they could aford to buy equipment. The big studios in my area are not doing that well. They are not up to hiring new staff. Most studios have Engineers who book the sesions they work, and if your new, that won't be that many. Studios do however need people who can fix things. This can keep you fed while you are building you're catalog, and the pay sure beats working at your local music store! -I don't know of any regular colleges offering audio courses. There are schools for recording engineers, but I don't know whether they are accredited. I would _definitely_ take some courses in music, and try to learn to play an instrument. -I liked it, and I am sure glad that I did it, but it's not the route for everyone. One of the big advantages of it is that you really get an understanding for how things work inside. And, of course, it gives you something to fall back on when times in the audio industry are poor (like now). The sad part is that the stuff you can fall back on usually pays better than audio too. It's not for everyone, and it's certainly not the only way into the audio industry. But if you are fascinated by the technology itself and like to make things work, it can be a good route. These days, I might add, there are thousands of people clamoring to get into the industry (you wouldn't believe the number of unsolicited resumes I get, and I'm a one-man operation with no intention of hiring anyone), and anything you can do to distingush yourself from the others is a good thing. Oh yes, getting into the industry from the maintenance side is a long standing tradition and still a good way to get in. Although everyone wants to get into the industry, there are very few people who can actually fix things, and there are a lot of folks who were hired as maintenance crew and went on to become tracking engineers. You don't need an EE degree to get in this way, but it never hurt anyone. -I imagine there are at least a hundred schools in the US where you can get a *quality* EE degree. That won't necessarily help you with anything particular in recording, but you'll have a much more solid idea about "how things work", and you might find something else you really like. It's a hell of a degree to have in today's job market. That having been said, why not look at one of the schools that has solid engineering AND music/technology departments? The University of Miami comes to mind . . . maybe get an EE degree, take a few courses in acoustics, maybe a music class or two, and see what their music technology program offers as one-off courses as well. Hell, get a double major. It may seem like 4-7 years is a long time now, but you better believe that it's a drop in the bucket compared to not having a college degree (or two), which makes you flexible if the recording thing doesn't work out. An engineering paycheck is a nice way to battle the occasional recession! -FWIW, I have been going to night school at a local Community College in Electronics Engineering Tech. It is a vocational degree and there have been a few discussions about the overall usefullness of this degree (an AA here and a BS through a local university) vs. that of an EE. It is, however, very hands on and they are really interested in the students learning. It is great for an older guy (like me) with a day job. There is a lot of freedom to explore and resources to use. And I have met a few kindred souls interested in music and audio and we have designed and built some pretty cool toys. It's not for everyone, but it is a good alternative depending on your needs and circumstances.

Ask Edwards a Finance Question

Other Questions:

Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Electrical enineering is defined as "the branch of engineering science that studies the uses of electricity and the equipment for power generation and distribution and the control of machines and communication" Computer Science is defined...

I am interested in doing my 3rd internship in Japan or USA.Since I know what is going on in Europe, I thought I could give it a shot and get a different approach and see how these guys are doing in my field.I know that there are companies worki...

I'm writing software to track billiard balls on a pool table. I need an accurate way to track the balls. Each ball would have to be uniquely identified. I've thought about using a video camera, but it would require a high ceiling to be overh...

I recently visited Cal Poly Pomona and discovered that they have a Computer/Electrical Engineering major and an Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology major. Whats the difference between the two majors? What different jobs do you go ...

I have got a PR visa and now am finding out info on settling in Australia. I have qualified as a Electrical engineer for immigration purposes but I understand that I have to get some australian qualifications to practise as an engineer. Exactl...

Edwards Finance Menu

Ask a Question
About Us / Me
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Sitemap

My Favorite Sites

PFBlog
Google Finance
Yahoo Finance
Motley Fool
Nveille's Financial Blog
AllFinanceMatters
Free Money Finance
2MillionBlog
The Terror Finance blog

Q&A Subjects