Education · 1 of 5

The path

There is no license and no required qualification. You are hired on what you can do and who will vouch for you.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Record everything. Your band, the school play, a podcast, a friend's short film. Two years of bad recordings is how everyone starts.

2. 2

   Pick a route

   1 to 4 years

   A four year audio degree, a one or two year certificate, or teaching yourself while working at a venue. All three produce working engineers.

3. 3

   Learn one recording program properly

   Ongoing

   Depth in one industry standard program beats a shallow tour of five. Studios and post houses ask what you know before they ask where you studied.

4. 4

   Assist, intern, push cases

   1 to 3 years

   The real apprenticeship. Set up microphones, coil cables, take notes and be early. Most first paid jobs come from someone who saw you do that.

5. 5

   Build credits and specialize

   Ongoing

   Live sound, music mixing, dialogue editing for picture or broadcast. Your credit list is your qualification.