[SBE] Some Labor Day thoghts

[Larry Bloomfield]

As we move through and past this Labor Day weekend, it comes to mind 
that as labors in the broadcast industry, many of our contemporaries are 
retiring, leaving and/or dyeing off. The question comes to mind, where 
are the replacements coming from?
 
Having met and spoken with probably more SBE members during my tour with 
the Taste of NAB Road Show than most any other SBE member, I've 
certainly gotten a feel for some of the wants and needs of our industry 
as expressed by many I've spoken with. There is one thing that is very 
much implied, but isn't discussed very much and that's the issue of 
vocations into our industry. There are many schools that teach how to 
operate, how to edit and do the "artsy-craftsy" stuff, but the places 
that teach how to trouble shoot and fix gear are few and far between. 
There are a few that teach studio repair, but try to find someone who is 
able to skillfully work on transmitters, be they TV or radio, and you'll 
know what I'm talking about.
 
There are a few things we can do to find vocations. A natural place is 
within the amateur radio community. Many "hams" have a good working 
knowledge of electronics and some even can diagnose and repair 
transmitters. Don't pooh-pooh this source as I've never met an electron 
that knew the difference between amateur and commercial communications. 
Two way radio guys are another possible source.
 
If you live near a military base, there are any numbers of folks getting 
discharged who are looking to apply their technical skills in one way or 
another. Not sure how you'd find out who or where they're at, but it 
might be worth a shot. I was a Navy electronics tech and there isn't 
much that I could not work on and/or repair. Most Navy techs are very 
broad based in what they can work on -- especially the guys who are on 
board ship. This isn't to say that the other branches of service don't 
have talented folks as well. If you get someone from the military, 
you'll probably get someone who can take direction and follow orders. 
(What a novel concept!)
 
Another approach is for local SBE chapters to do some simple marketing. 
Marketing is a term we normally associate with the sales department, but 
in this case, marketing is the selling of our craft to others; a craft 
that has been a lot of fun for most of us. (Just read some of the fun 
stuff that is posted on the various list servers many of us subscribe 
to.) Our national SBE offices have taken the first step in that 
direction by setting up the "Internship on Line" program. I don't know 
how they plan to promulgate this program, but I'm doing my part by 
sharing the program during my Taste of NAB Road Show. The concept is a 
great one and may well result in these interns learning about SBE and 
eventually becoming members.
 
Akin to this would be to invite science teachers and other instructors 
and even their classes to join your SBE chapter at a mutually agreeable 
time when the program would be of general interest. Getting programs of 
general interest to members and prospective members, students, etc is 
not a problem. Our chapters in Oregon (124, 76 and 141) are booked 
through the fall of next year. There's little doubt in my mind that 
several of these programs would meet this criteria. To accomplish this 
kind of approach, chapters have to be flexible and not maintain the "we 
always meet on such and such a date and time and can't change" attitude.
 
And yet another way to market our industry is by participating in job 
fairs and the like. Most high schools, junior colleges, some 
universities and even trade schools have these to help students who are 
undecided or wish to find out more about different carrier path 
opportunities. Local SBE chapters can help stimulate interest by going 
to these events and participating. Many chapters have retired folks who 
would probably be more than willing to help out in this area. If nothing 
else, seeing the SBE logo up on a table could well generate some 
interest. Hearing about the broadcast industry from an "old salt" SBE 
member could well lead to that person to get interested in our industry 
and who knows -- they may eventually becoming a member of our society. 
These retired folks are also a resource and their stories can be very 
captivating, if you give them a chance to share.
 
In closing, I'd like to ask those thirty SBE chapters remaining on my 
itinerary to invite folks from outside the chapter -- ham clubs, high 
schools, junior colleges, universities and even trade schools. It might 
help make us know in our community, which may not be a bad thing. You 
might even invite your GMs. Having them on your side might help you get 
the time off to attend your monthly SBE meetings.
-- 

 
* Larry Bloomfield* - /KA6UTC/
1980 25th St. - Florence, OR 97439
(541) 902-2424 (Everything)
* WWW.Tech-Notes.TV <http://WWW.Tech-Notes.TV>*
See you on _* The Taste of NAB Road Show 
<http://www.tech-notes.tv/2008/2008-Itinerary.htm>*_
& the video @ * www.Tech-Notes.TV/DVD.html 
<http://www.tech-notes.tv/DVD.html>*

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