Blog 2

In Blog 1, I briefly mentioned that I had previous experience working as a repair technician for a manufacturer; I will begin by elaborating on this. I was employed by Clinton Instrument Company (CIC) in Clinton, CT, USA from 2016 to 2021. CIC is a small company of only about 25 on-site employees that manufactures in-line spark testers. This equipment is used to test wire & cable on manufacturing lines, and CIC’s customers are wire & cable manufacturers all around the world. I started out at the company in shipping, where I learned export documentation. A year later I was promoted to electrical inspection/quality control, where I learned the functionality of the spark testers, and began learning to troubleshoot issues we encountered. Again, I was promoted in one year, this time to repair.

The “repair department” at CIC is actually just one person, and for 3 years that was me. I received damaged equipment which was sent in to the company, corresponded with customers all around the world via phone and e-mail, ran an evaluation, sent an itemized quote, explained payment terms and methods, coordinated with Sales and Accounting to process payments, completed the repair work, calibrated the equipment, and sent it off to inspection and ultimately shipping. I also provided Country of Origin documentation to customers outside the USA, so they would have the required paperwork for Customs. The job was about 50% computer work, and 50% getting my hands dirty; soldering (often on-PCB surface), cleaning rusty components, removing oxidation from potentiometers, replacing bad displays, etc. Being a one-man repair department for the company, and also having the past experience working in inspection and shipping, made me realize that I’m only a couple night-classes away from having everything I need to start my own company. After a quick course in accounting and another in business management, becoming my own boss is suddenly attainable. To be clear, this is if I continue repairing spark testers, which is not my goal. I would take a couple courses in electrical engineering before jumping into repairing other equipment.

The path of starting my own repair company is just one of five laid out in Blog 1. I would also be happy having a very similar job as my last one at CIC, but working with (refurbishing) music equipment. But the skills I learned at CIC–customer correspondence, quoting & invoicing, evaluating, troubleshooting, problem solving–these are all applicable to all five, and any other career.

My employment at CIC was just the last of 14 jobs I’ve had since I was 16 years old. I will now describe each and every one of them in great detail. Just kidding. I will, however, briefly mention my experience as a musician.

I’ve played in 4 bands, played hundreds of pub gigs, several mid-sized venues, a few town-funded events, a couple sketchy music festivals, and a wedding. Through all this, I’ve experienced a variety of sound & stage setups, from very minimal sound setups in the corner of a bar, to excellent sound systems and lighting on a professional stage. Playing with several bands has given me the experience of learning about live sound with many different people, all with their own perspectives and interests: The electric guitarist who brings a Marshall half-stack into a tiny restaurant and gives everyone a headache. The technologically-minded band-mate who insists on wireless in-ear monitors. The drummer lugging a 15-piece drum set from gig to gig, and the drummer who refuses to bring anything more than kick, snare, and hi-hat. These people have taught me how to communicate with musicians, and how to anticipate their setup needs, whether it be on a stage or in a studio.

I am bringing all of this knowledge and experience into my programme at SAE Institute where I am building upon it, and forming a well-rounded plan for my future career. The last step will be to pick a specific path, and my past experience has shown me that in two years’ time, I will be aware of more paths than I am now. However, 4 of the 5 paths I laid out in my last blog had an emphasis on the physical equipment involved in studios and live sound, so at this time I am steering towards live sound and studio recording mixing and mastering, in regards to the elective modules.