[SBE] Some Labor Day thoghts

[Henry M. Seiden]

As to training, I went to my local junior college where they had a  
general electronics program. I graduated with a electronics/pre- 
engineering Associate Science degree. Is that program still there?  
When I went to school, (ahem!) years ago the classes were full. Now?

Henry S.
On Aug 31, 2008, at 23:47 , Larry Bloomfield wrote:


> 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

> See you on The Taste of NAB Road Show

> & the video @ www.Tech-Notes.TV/DVD.html

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--



®
Techworks Professional Systems, Inc. Henry M. Seiden, Founder
henry<at>techworkspro<dot>com




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