Breaking into the industry

Asonic:

The best bet for a college graduate who will have a generalist/liberal arts degree is to pursue a graduate/trainee program. I say this because unless you have a very specific skillset, graduate programs are the best way to start out in most companies.

I run a graduate program for a major investment bank and quite frankly, you have waited way too long to start the interviewing process for a graduate program in just about any industry, let alone banking and finance. With that said, you have asked a very similar question that young adults with a strong interest in most hobbies (like bicycling) would ask. So, here goes ...

1. Look at the major, mass production oriented electronic companies (like SONY; Matsushita/Panasonic; Sharp) that offer graduate programs in their marketing; IT/technology; or distribution/operations areas and apply for a spot. Expect keen competition, as graduates who know early on what they want to specialize in, have been doing internships in these areas for the past two summers already. The days of "working your way up from the mailroom" or thinking that that an employer will be impressed just because you are "young and willing to work hard" just don't exist in big companies anymore. Check out their web-sites and see if they have a "careers" section.

2. If there are any hifi companies in your area, see if they have any job openings. This could look like an opening in their Accounting departments.

3. Try the audio retail or service route.

4. Lastly, you can get training in some aspect of the industry. One potentially lucrative career path could be to pursue the certification in home theatre design and installation. I had done some reading about this field and ...
a. there is relatively high demand, as many homeowners are building and/or retro-fitting home theatres.
b. so many installers today tend to come from the HVAC installation ranks (makes sense in a way, as you are cutting through walls and pulling cables).

Think about the hifi industry, as you would any business and see how you would fit in. What core skils do you have that an employer would pay for? HiFi is like any product ... you can design 'em; you can sell 'em; you can service 'em; you can write about 'em; or like most of us ... you can enjoy 'em.

Good luck, Rich

Circuit city and bestbuy are are always looking for new people..hahahha..stick with the bank....

If there is a high performance audio company near where you live contact them and see what they have to offer. The industry is tough and many of the manufacturers you see on the 'Gon are very small operations so you may not have a ton of success getting a lucrative position like you would in the banking industry.

Or, go into banking (for the money) and offer your services part time (for the love) to the owner of a local audio company in exchange for them "showing you the ropes". This scenario would allow you to still make a good living while testing the waters in the audio biz. You may decide you hate it. Sometimes the best way to ruin a hobby is to do it as a business!

I wish you success!

While Ttrhp was joking, Best Buy actually has some of the best sales training out there. Go to a Best Buy--you'll find the sales people are friendly and knowledgeable, and if they don't know the answer they will find someone that does. Going to a place like that and getting trained could be useful. Sales experience and a good grounding in finance is how many of the more successful Custom Installers got started in this business.

If your folks are well off, and are willing to help out, you might want to open your own shop. That is what I am doing. Working for other's don't get you far - if you want to do what is really in your heart.

You can assemble the best sounding gears like some Chinese ones, and assemble a good sounding systems at affordable prices. This way, you will be offering good music you love to others at an affordable prices. Of-course you might want to have Krell and audio research for the rich folks who can afford them - there is your big profit.