Getting a job that will get me somewhere.

[tyler657recpro]

I have no idea where to put this post, so I'm gonna stick it here.

I'm trying to find a part time job that will get me some possible connections, as well as valuable experiece, and some cash. Aside from the guitar center, which im sure i could get a job at, what would you suggest? The GC wouldn't give me much experience, and would most definately give me no connections at all.

I live in Modesto California if that helps at all. There are a couple of local radiostations, which I might be able to get a job at. I don't know what poossible positions are available at radiosatations, so if anyone knows, please enlighten me.

There are also a couple of local studios, which I have not been to, and I'm sure suck, (no Neves here), but would provide experience, and maybe a little money, but I doubt connections.

The radiostation seems like a good bet, depending on how they're run, as it would provide all three of the above, and I think I can get around my age. People are usually pretty impressed with me right away, (not trying to sound snobby or anything). For instance one of the top live sound installers in the state offered me a job, although I could not take it for various reasons which are irrelevent. I forgot his name, but he could provide some valuable connections. He said he can get me a job when I move to L.A., but that won't be for a couple of years.

But thats not for a couple of years. As of now, I need a job, in town, and would like to get the best job I can. Any input would be appreciated. Oh yeah, I have a pretty good resume for my age, so if that'll help. If worst comes to worst, guitar center here i come!

 

[subtractor]

I told you to get a job at a music store along time ago!

 

[subtractor]

But it won't get you anywhere...
But at least you'll get a discount!

 

[tyler657recpro]

lol, that's my problem. Well its not really a problem, I just think it would be more beneficial to my career to get a job somewhere else. Where else, is the question.

 

[Jamal Bucket]

not that it matters ..or has anything to do with this thread...


but i was born in Modesto.....



i bet we arent related!!!


jamal

 

[littledog]

My folks lived in Modesto for eight years, although I was in Ann Arbor Michigan at the time. But i used to visit a lot.

My strongest memory is trying to drive back from concerts in San Francisco through some of that Central Valley fog! Couldn't even see the lines on the road!

 

[M.Brane]

Chances are your not going to hit any good connects in Modesto no matter where you work.

Take whatever you can get and get whatever you can out of it. When you get down here to LA LA land in a few years it'll be a whole 'nother experience, trust me.

Maybe you could hook up with monty in the meantime. He lives in your neighborhood.

 

[ambi]

Unless your living inside of a tv show it's a lot harder to get decent jobs than you think. Unless you have a really valuable education or a lot of worthwhile experience that people will respect. Don't look down your nose at guitar center at your age, cause for all you know you may apply and they'll look down their nose at you!

 

[DigitalDon]

Damn man - you're what? 16? Quit sweatin' it so much. Any part time job you get can lead to connections. People who can turn you on to something better also go to GC, Burger King, Circuit City or whatever to shop, eat, etc. The whole point is being out there somewhere meeting different people. At your age no job is permanent. Use that to your advantage. If you don't like working somewhere then quit. You can do that because you don't have a house payment, etc making you stay there. I'm not coming down on you believe me. Just my 2 cents worth.

DD

 

[Gidge]

I was in one of the stores I manage one day talking to a customer who happened to be a music publisher from Nashville just passing through.....i ended up being offered a deal on a song....of course i passed it up because he was a very small time publisher and he suggested where i make changes in the song


moral of the story : connections can be made anywhere

2nd moral : be wise enough to recognize an opportunity when it stares you in the face

 

[Uladine]

I'm from Modesto too!

Well actually Oakdale (15 minutes away). I'm in the same boat my friend. There doesn't seem to be anything around here. What kind of music are you into? There are very rarely any good shows that come nearer than San Francisco and that pretty much makes it seem like this area is not very good for audio jobs. I'm stuck working a factory job right now. The pay is good, but believe me, I'm trying to plot a way out as fast as I can. Who is the sound installer that you know? What were the reasons you couldn't accept the job (if you dont mind me asking)? I'd love to get paid to work with audio equipment in pretty much any way possible. PM me and maybe we could "holla" back at each other.

 

[tyler657recpro]

Ok.. yeah I figured I wouldn't hit any good connects, I was hoping for small connections that could lead to bigger ones. Avril Lavigne stopped by about a month ago by the way. We apparently had a previous contract with her before she "made it big", and forced her to perform in Modesto. But B93, which is the local radiostation, hosted it. If had been working for them, I could of had an oppourtunity to meet someone. I don't know. I'm not really expecting anything big, just something that might possibly get me somewhere, or give me something of value besides money.

As far as GC goes, like I said, I have NO problem working there. I'd just rather work somewhere else that might be more beneficial to my career. And not a permanent job either. I don't WANT to work at a radiostation for the rest of my life. Especially not Guitar Center. I don't think getting hired at the guitar center will be a problem at all. If it is, it would very much surprise me. I have people that would be able to vouch for me and such. Besides, I can sell anything to anybody, no matter how much they don't need it.

Uladine, this area really sucks don't it? lol Uhm, I basically love any music, except maybe country. I mean seriously, everything. Even classical. I can stand some of the Rap crap. But thats not realy music is it?

Hey my aunt is really good friends with Randy Travis. So I could meet him really easily. Anyway...

Thanks guys.

Oh, does anyone know what specific positions are available at radio stations usually?

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Oh, my...

"I forgot his name, but he could provide some valuable connections"

FAMOUS last words, there...

Forgetting names is the first thing to overcome before you get a job that will give you connections, I would guess. In the business (any business) EVERYONE is a potential contact and deserves to be treated that way. Forgetting a name or losing a phone number is a MAJOR loss.

If you really want to play the games involved with trying to make connections you can pretty much start anywhere. At this point, I would expect to NOT get paid. Try offering to volunteer at a local studio. Be polite, on time, helpful, respectful, and professional- and get to know the people who work there and the clients that come through.

If what you are after is contacts, concider that your payment instead of cash. There is precious little cash to go around for music pros.

Then get a job anywhere. Good idea, though, and a great question to ask.

Take care,
Chris

 

[subtractor]

I'd just rather work somewhere else that might be more beneficial to my career.

What career? You've probably got dozens of jobs to go through before you even find out what you want to do as a career. And even then a "career" is cultivated over years, not just had...
Stop worrying about a career and get a j-o-b.

 

[subtractor]

And what does this have to do with mixing/mastering?

 

[ambi]

Besides, I can sell anything to anybody, no matter how much they don't need it.

Have you ever sold anything before? Since you're going for your first job i'd assume not. Get that ego in check or you may have problems. I don't mean to come down on you either, it's just something that generally causes people problems.

I can stand some of the Rap crap. But thats not realy music is it?

Not to nit pick but that's called ignornace.

 

[Middleman]

If I were you I would track down the location of every gear store that sells high end stuff to all of the big studios. Start off at GC put in a year or two with the goal of getting to one of the high end gear shops, preferably in LA.

Every pro engineer, producer, mixer and musician hang in these places to pick up their Pultecs, Drawmers, Neves, Manley etc. This would be the best place to run into the top dogs. Another alternative would be to learn everything you can about 4-5 great peices of studio gear and try and become either an engineer or sales rep for one of the top gear companies. They sell to all the big studios so your travels would get you into places others only dream about.

Talk to everyone you meet and take a genuine interest in others and you'll get to your goal.

 

[M.Brane]

This guy started out at GC. I think he's done pretty well in the biz, don't you?

 

[djc]

not that it matters ..or has anything to do with this thread...


but i was born in Modesto.....



i bet we arent related!!!


jamal

My wife knows a guy whose cousin married a girl whose father's brother may have lived in Modesto for a brief period of time in 1978.
Wow, small world.

 

[Middleman]

I went through Modesto last fall and it had the best pawn shops I have seen in a long time. Do you see any good equipment up there?

I am down here (south of LA)