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Career Exploration

Audio and Video Technicians

Also called: Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician), Media Technician, Operations Technician

What they do:

Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.

On the job, you would:
  • Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
  • Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development

Communications

  • multimedia
  • telecommunications

Arts and Humanities

  • English language
  • music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance

Video creation and editing software

  • Adobe After Effects
  • YouTube

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop

Operating system software

  • Linux
  • Microsoft Windows

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $50,660

Education

Bachelor's degree or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.