GETTING A JOB AFTER RECORDING SCHOOL

Getting a job after recording school may be difficult, because few recording companies value a degree. Unfortunately, the music business is one where a formal education does not matter, you have to use all of your skills and resources to find alternative ways to make it in the industry. To work in the music industry you have to be resourceful, creative, innovative, willing to work hard, willing to put in long hours, be likeable, and have the ability to make connections. This is why this industry places no value on traditional education, traditional education will not teach you how to do any of these things, or give you the experience you need in order to start out in the industry.

In order to get a job after graduation from recording school, you must have had experience working in a real studio. Few recording companies hire students because they know that most recording schools have not trained people well enough to use the equipment or do the job. One of the biggest negatives about recording school is that few recording schools are able to provide students with up-to-date equipment. Also, most schools just have one studio, and most classes are lectures. Students do not usually get to use the studio, and definitely do not get enough time with the equipment to familiarize themselves with the technology. Being very fluent with the technology is a huge help, because even if you’re talented, that will not translate unless you can use the technology to boost it, if you are trying to become a producer or technician.

Another problem with recording school is that the cost can be incredibly and unaffordable for most people. Most of the top schools have tuition that can be higher than $100,000, and tuition is going up across universities all over the country. Spending that much money, and time (school also requires a four year time commitment, during which you may have some loss of income, or may have to move to live nearer to school…) is considered to not be worth it, because there is no guarantee that you will be getting a job after recording school. Unlike other careers, for which school is considered an investment, the entertainment industry is one that is full of surprises, and since it is also one that doesn’t value a formal education, you may never be able to make that money back.

But if you are serious about getting a job after radio school, consider programs that will allow you to work in an actual recording studio, such as a mentor program, or try to get an internship to build up experience, because first hand experience is always more valuable than a diploma.