Audio & Music Production Career Insight by LJMUCareers

Audio & Music Production CAREER INSIGHT

LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

Introduction Behind every live or studio performance lies a fascinating array of modern audio technology. This course gives you an opportunity to learn about the theories and concepts which underpin the use of this equipment, enabling you to work independently, solving practical problems and identifying solutions which help performers, producers and directors get the best results. The advent of new computer-based technology has profoundly altered the way we create, capture and deliver audio content. In order to secure a career in the audio/music-related industries, you will need to gain and demonstrate the competence and confidence to work effectively with this technology. Planning for your career and gaining experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. Take advantage of work experience opportunities and networking events to develop your skills and help you decide what area you want to move into. Try and make links with people through your course and get involved with the wealth of creative activities in Liverpool and beyond to broaden your skillset and open up opportunities. You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and following relevant organisations through Twitter to keep up to date with opportunities and developments in the creative industries. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the site to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities out there.

Options with your degree Developing skills, networking and gaining as much relevant experience as you will help you land that first role in the audio industry. You should consider developing a soundreel or portfolio of your work showcasing your skills to send to potential employers alongside your CV. Graduate opportunities include working as sound engineers or in sound production working in television and radio companies, theatres, event venues and music recording studios. Many graduates have also started their own recording/production companies.

Sound Engineer As a sound engineer in a recording studio you would make high quality recordings of music, speech and sound effects. Within a live environment you would control the sound at events such as theatre performances and music concerts. You would operate microphones, amplifiers and control desks to balance the sound levels, and you might also provide background music and sound effects.

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Sound Engineer

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/sound_technician_broadcasting_film_video_vacancy_sources.htm 

Audio Engineer (Games)

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/327_audio_engineer

Other media-related roles 

Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/programme_researcher_broadcasting_film_video_job_description.htm 

Runner, broadcasting/film/video

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Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/runner_broadcasting_film_video_job_description.htm 

Television/film/video producer

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/television_film_video_producer_job_description.htm 

Broadcast journalist

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/broadcast_journalist_job_description.htm

Other media and broadcasting job profiles: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_media.htm

Options with your degree: other industries Roles in marketing and PR: 

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_advertising_marketing_pr.htm

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http://www.getin2marketing.com/

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http://www.cipr.co.uk/

The suggestions listed here are by no means exhaustive so we would encourage you to consider other relevant options, e.g. based on previous work or voluntary experience, skills and interests. To explore job options by sector, check http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm. You can also use career planning tools like http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm and http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report to generate initial career ideas. Ensure you check entry requirements for each area, e.g. will you need a degree in a specific subject? Is a 2:1 degree classification essential? Will you need to complete a postgraduate degree? Is any specific work experience required? We also recommend that you download a copy of our “Planning your Career” guide from the Careers website at https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. This includes a list of useful questions to help you explore your career options and introduces you to the DOTS model to help you with your career planning.

Main employers The main media hub in the UK is in London but there are a good selection of media and production companies around the country, particularly in Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol and Cardiff. All occupational profiles listed on http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm include a section on typical employers and vacancy sources, so use these as a starting point to research potential employers within the career areas that interest you.

Previous graduates from the course have gone on to work for companies such as Adlib, BBC, Granada, Bradford City film, ITV, ADI TV and various independent recording studios. Opportunities exist within film, TV, radio, theatre and computer games organisations. Some of the websites below have a number of lists of organisations

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers

Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

who recruit audio students and as with other media-related roles the emphasis is on students to explore opportunities, contact companies directly and build up networks. You will need to research possible employers early in course to explore graduate roles and possible sources of work experience. The websites below may assist you in this.

Recording Studios in Liverpool 

Parr Street Studios - http://www.parrstreetstudios.com/

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Whitewood Recording Studio - http://www.whitewoodrecordingstudio.com/

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Mersey City Music - http://www.merseycitymusic.co.uk/

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Elevator Studios - http://elevatorstudios.com/

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Crosstown Studios - http://www.crosstownstudios.co.uk/

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Tonewood - http://www.tonewood.co.uk/

Liverpool media/creative organisations: There are lots of media and production companies in Liverpool, a handful of which can be found listed below. 

Ace Film: http://www.acefilm.co.uk/ Ace Film is an award winning feature film development and new media production company, with an integral publishing and recording company.

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Baltic Creative: http://www.baltic-creative.com/

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Bright Moon Media- http://www.brightmoonmedia.co.uk/ Bright Moon Films make television standard digital content and have made broadcast films for the BBC, Granada and Channel Five.

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Curly Productions - http://www.curlyproductions.co.uk/ specialise in event filming, vox pops, internet video, promotional DVDs etc. and clients include Xbox, the Duke of Westminster, Wonderbra and Vittel.

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Hurricane Films - http://www.hurricanefilms.net/ For over a decade Hurricane Films have been telling great stories – fact and fiction – for both the big and small screen.

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LA (Liverpool Academy)Productions Ltd - http://www.laproductions.co.uk/ Independent film and TV production company providing a full service for broadcast and corporate clients.

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Liverpool Live TV: http://liverpool-live.tv/

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Lime Pictures: http://limepictures.com/ BAFTA award-winning, Lime Pictures is emerging as one of Britain's most exciting and dynamic independent production companies.

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Mocha Productions Ltd - http://www.mocha.tv/ Mocha specialise in using film and digital media to help people and organisations tell their story.

You can look for further organisations through http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/ (the definitive source of UK film and TV contacts)

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers

Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

Other media/creative links                 

Skillset: www.skillset.org Excellent starting point for researching media careers. Includes advice, case studies, training course information and job profiles for a number of soundrelated roles. Media City UK: http://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/ The ‘Occupiers Directory’ section of this website lists a number of audio and sound organisations based within Media City in Salford. 4Careers www.channel4.com/4careers Information on work experience schemes and jobs within Channel 4. BBC www.bbc.co.uk/jobs Information on work experience schemes and jobs within the BBC. Broadcast Freelancer www.broadcastfreelancer.com Jobs, news and future productions. Creative Times www.creativetimes.co.uk/statics/about Creative Times is an on-line magazine for the creative community. Register to receive email updates Grapevine Jobs www.grapevinejobs.com Vacancies in broadcasting and film. ITV: http://www.itvjobs.com/working-here/graduates/your-options/ Mandy: www.mandy.com Film and TV production employer directory with vacancies Media careers information from the University of Kent Mediargh: http://mediargh.com/ ‘a place for media people’ with hundreds of media jobs added each week North West Vision www.northwestvision.co.uk A hub for the development of film, TV and visual media in the region. Radio Centre www.radiocentre.org Includes a guide to finding work experience in commercial radio. Regional Film and Video www.4rfv.co.uk The film and television production directory has comprehensive listings The Drum www.thedrum.co.uk Focuses on the marketing and media industry. Industry insights, searchable jobs database by creative specialism and region Your Creative Future www.yourcreativefuture.org.uk Careers information including case studies and additional links. White Book – Event Production Directory - http://www.whitebook.co.uk/

General: 

LJMU Vacancy System – MyJobsandPlacements http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/

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Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk

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TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk

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Milkround – graduate jobs, placements & internships - http://www.milkround.com/

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Yell.com: www.yell.com This directory allows you to search by location and type of organisation.

Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:      

@balticcreative @BBCTrainees @LJMUCareers @mediamuppet @mediavolt @SkillsetSSC

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers

Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

Sources of work experience Gaining experience within the industry is really important. Completing a period of unpaid work experience is generally the norm within the sound/music industry and this is a good way to build you skills and make contacts. Many people gain experience working as a runner before moving into other roles within the media industry. A strong CV tailored towards the work you are applying for is crucial when applying for experience. Keep it interesting, succinct and targeted with clear examples and evidence. Show any specialist skills you have that could be deemed useful in the company you’re applying to. Working on projects in your own time is another great way of developing you skills and experience. Working independently or teaming up with peers to produce music or get involved with creative activities will show employers you are focussed and passionate about developing skills and experience in order to work in the industry. LJMU has been managing a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox for details of any opportunities. Contacting organisations directly via email or LinkedIn or at networking events may lead to work experience. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the organisation and have a good understanding of previous projects they have worked on. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills.

Recruitment schedules Many jobs within the media industry aren’t advertised as employers receive so many speculative CVs and often recruit using these. It is therefore important that you network and engage with employers and utilise relevant websites and Twitter feeds to make contacts and to try to find out about potential opportunities. Some companies will advertise opportunities through jobs boards or on their websites. Following relevant Twitter feeds is a good way of keeping abreast of developments. Larger organisations such as the BBC and Channel 4 offer work experience opportunities and trainee/graduate trainee schemes and some entry level roles will be advertised on their websites. Competition for these positions is fierce so having previous experience is a must. Many other roles within the creative industries will be through small or medium sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of companies recruit ‘as required’. They may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites and national and local newspapers. The ‘creative’ or ‘speculative’ approach to job hunting is also important. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. For more information about the speculative approach to job hunting, download a copy of our guide to ‘The Hidden Jobs Market’ from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm

If you decide to take a different path outside the creative industries you can look at graduate training schemes, many of which are open to graduates from any discipline. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process for graduate training schemes usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. This may be followed by psychometric tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre. You may also need to submit your CV. Always carefully read through the information in the ‘careers’ or ‘graduates’ section of the employer’s website. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm.

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers

Career Insight: BSc (Hons) Audio and Music Production

You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers or employability adviser or you can attend careers workshops and events: https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/123893.htm.

Key events and networking   

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Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks. You might be interested in the “Pursuing a career in clinical psychology” session we usually run once per semester. LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry

Other information Centre for Entrepreneurship - support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/.

Careers Zones Campus-based Careers Zones provide easy access to careers support in convenient locations at Byrom Street, Aldham Robarts Library and at IM Marsh, staffed by the Careers Team. Support available includes CV and application form reviews, Careers Adviser appointments, drop-in quick queries, practice interviews and access to careers resources and information. The Zones also host regular employer visits during term time where you can meet and network with employers and discuss job and placement opportunities. For the latest updates and details of locations and opening times, try our Twitter and Facebook pages.

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers

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