[SBE] In Need of Mentoring

[Carl Sundberg]

Hi Y'all,

I agree with Russ. I taught broadcast engineering in high school for 28 years. Loved the job, the students and everything about teaching but one thing: Administration. In the early days, I'd send a group of kids to an FCC office to take their 1st.  Most passed the first take and a few needed a second stab at it. I am happy to report, their success rate was 100%. When that went away, kids just didn't get as fired up about certification. They really liked the idea of having a Federal license. Some did take their General, but without an absolute need for the ticket, it just wasn't as exciting. 

I always told my students that you do this work because you love it. If you want to make money, forget it. Of all my students, I only had one that got the big degree. He is Dr. Tim Shepard of M.I.T. fame. He got his 1st phone, first take and then I sent him to MIT where his doctorate proved a concept that went on to make everyone believe WiFi would work for all of us. He loved computers and frankly taught me a lot about them. I taught him electronics and how to search the FCC rules. He found some frequencies around 2.4 Ghz that were license free and used them to build America's first WiFi at MIT to serve his dorm. You can read his dissertation at http://publications.csail.mit.edu/lcs/pubs/pdf/MIT-LCS-TR-670.pdf I'm real proud he credited me in the Acknowledgments on page 5. But the end of the story is this: Today, he dreams about becoming the Tuba player for the Boston Pops. 

In the early 80's, I had four kids with me that wanted to video tape the launch of the first Space Shuttle. They got the press passes and we went. On the crew was Tim, mentioned above, Charles Opperman, who went on to be The Project Manager for the development of the Accessibility portion of Windows and   Peter Carsillo, a world renown sculptor and creator of the 14 ft. bronze statue of Disney holding Mickey's hand at the entrance of Disney World and one guy who became a life long broadcast engineer. Only one of them ever went to college before they made their mark. Passions. That's the key. If you wanna, you will. That's all there is to it. Broadcast Engineering is definitely a "love it or leave it" job. 

 Today I serve as the Chief for a network television group, serve as a back up engineer for a PBS affiliate, a top rated radio group and serve as a contract engineer state-wide for FloTV...  Even though I am older than dirt, I do it for the same reason all the rest of us do it. WE LOVE IT. 

So... If you want to be a Broadcast Engineer, my advice is that of Nike... just do it.

Carl Sundberg, CBT
N4ATC
Eugene, OR








________________________________
From: "russ at russvanderhorst.info" <russ at russvanderhorst.info>
To: sbe member discussion mail list <sbe at sbe.org>
Sent: Sun, October 11, 2009 3:17:05 PM
Subject: Re: [SBE] In Need of Mentoring

Hi All,

I have to agree with the satisfaction factor. A bit of background on me...I am a former 
mathematician. I taught everything from basic mathematics through differential equations to 
blind/deaf/physically impared students. While I loved working with the students, I HATED the 
administative crap that went with it. Also education changed over the years, and I saw a lot 
of students who frankly just didn't belong in college, yet I was expected to get them 
through...I'm a damned good teacher (other people's words, not mine)...but there are some 
things that just cant be fixed. It got to the point where I was blamed for the failure of some of 
these students...I had enough and decided to get out of the field. 

I have had a interest in broadcasting (the technical end) since high school...but I followed in 
the steps of my great grand father, grand father, and father and became a mathematican 
(and let me tell you...Great grand dad and grandpa were pure mathemathematicans, dad 
was a statistician, and I was an applied mathematician...you aint seen conversations like we 
used to have at the thanksgiving dinner table). 

My wife works in the medical field, and is well paid...I could hang tough for a bit, but would 
eventualy have to find a job. I believe I would find the satisfaction, even though the money is 
not there...but I am getting the impression that there are no jobs out there to be had...even 
with a B.E.E.T. degree. 

Thanks,

Russ


On 11 Oct 2009 at 14:47, k7cr wrote:


> 

>  "Jeff Carter" wrote - 

> 

> Please don't take this wrong, anybody.  Listen to the full message and

> think before you react out of a knee-jerk response.

> 

> Should we, considering the market and what we've seen, be advising

> anybody to enter this career field?

> 

> I am beginning to wonder if I can do so in good conscience.  If we're

> going to advise and mentor, it strikes me that there's an obligation

> to give good advice when we give it.

> 

> Good points Jeff - 

> 

> What we often ignore is the 'satisfaction factor'...Let me explain.

> Musicians and Artists are often paid less than some other jobs, 

> work odd hours etc etc.  However they are doing what they love

> or feel 'called' to do.   In my case, my love of Radio evolved to 

> the point where I have been able to do what I love for nearly 50

> years and I would not trade it for anything....even more money

> 

> I pitty the fellow that watches the clock and marks his calendar 

> as he performs a task that has nothing to do with his first love.

> Money cannot buy happiness and satisfaction. (sure it can help)

> 

> Granted there are bad jobs out there, but there are also good 

> ones.

> 

> Clay Freinwald, K7CR

> _______________________________________________

> The SBE Roundtable, SBE at sbe.org

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> 

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my webpage
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