[SBE] defining broadcast engineer

[chscherer at everestkc.net]

From: John Freberg <john at freberg.com>

> The industry is run by people who came out of the Sales Department 

> and  never understood engineering in the first place. With respect to  

> technology, they  relate to  buzzwords like Microsoft, iPod, Tivo, 

> YouTube, streaming, podcast etc. But they don't associate those 

> terms with broadcast engineers.


CS: But do they associate these other media with what they (sales) do (broadcasting)? If they don't, the problem is an industry problem, not just an engineering perception problem.


> Rightly or wrongly, we have been defined (described below) by 

> others in our industry over a long period of time. Turning this situation 

> around requires that we talk to people outside our discipline 

> rather than amongst ourselves. We have to persuade them as to our value 

> to  the enterprise in terms they understand.


CS: Again, talk to the managers and be a part of the team.

The SBE is working through state broadcast associations to reinforce the identity of the SBE and its services. When I was president I spoke to all the state broadcast association leaders at an NAB Radio show to reintroduce the SBE. We will continue to do this going forward.


> Just a pipe dream, but what if a station manager could call SBE 

> and get a referral for a competent engineer to handle a specific task? 

> Do you think they would begin to look at SBE and its members as a 

> resource?


CS: He already can get leads on engineering talent. The SBE has a list of contract engineers. The SBE also has a resume service. The GM can also call the local chapter chairman and inquire about available people.