One of the biggest questions college students face when choosing a major is “what types of jobs can you get with that degree?” The latest Sound Recording & Music Technology (SRT) Master Class brought in Martin S. Dombey, a Clinician and District Manager for Yamaha Corporation of America, to answer that exact question for MCCC students interested in audio production.

Many SRT Master Classes feature artists and performers who offer perspectives on studio work and recording. It was important to David Ivory, Director of Sound Recording and Music Technology, that students see how expansive the field is.

“I’m hoping this is a bit of an eye opener,” Ivory said. “Many times, people don’t understand all the different jobs open to you with this degree. Right here in Philadelphia, there are many careers in sound design and the audio/visual field that students can pursue.”

Dombey has worked professionally in audio production for over 40 years, but uses his freelance time to work as a career adviser for students looking to join the industry. As a freelance career adviser, Dombey walked the students through over 20 specialist positions and career paths that they could pursue with a degree in Sound Recording and Music Technology. Dombey defined each career for the audience of students and briefly detailed how to be successful in that field.

Dombey encouraged the students to pick up additional skills such as journalism and information technology, as a way to give them an advantage when looking for a position.

“You never stop learning,” Dombey said. “Even when the diploma’s on the wall, you will never stop learning new skills and information about your field.”

Among the careers listed, Dombey described working in sports and television audio, which requires coordinating speech and commercial elements with live broadcasts; theatrical sound design, developing sound maps and managing audio levels for live concerts, musicals and plays; and audio for the forensic sciences, analyzing recordings and providing optimal clarity for evidence gathering during criminal investigations.

As a career counselor, Dombey is open to exploring these topics with students and wants to serve as a resource as they look for jobs.

“No matter what you do with any of these topics, the golden rule is most important: Treat others as you want to be treated,” he said.

Hosted by the Sound Recording and Music Technology Program, Master Classes are free and provide Montco students and community members with the opportunity to meet with and learn from professionals in the music industry.