[SBE] Some Labor Day thoghts

[Larry Bloomfield]

Henry:

I was chairman of the Electronics dept. for the Government of Guam's 
adult education program with several instructors working for me almost 
the whole time I was stationed there in the USN. I taught an entry level 
electronics course. I had some very mixed classes with both state-siders 
as well as people who spoke English as a second language from all over 
Asia. That kind of mix certainly can hone a person's teaching skills 
quite fast. I also taught evening classes in electronics at Southwestern 
College near San Diego for nearly four years after that. Back then, an 
FCC license was required and during the summer time I taught an FCC 
license course as well. I know the summer FCC course is long gone, but 
I'm not sure if any of the other courses are still there. The only 
teaching besides the Taste of NAB Road Show that I do is a once a year 
Ham Radio license course in my home town. I love to teach. It is 
probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life.

 
* 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>*



Henry M. Seiden wrote:

> 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 <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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>

> --

>

>

> ®

> Techworks Professional Systems, Inc. Henry M. Seiden, Founder

> henry<at>techworkspro<dot>com

>

>

>

>

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