In 2015 Rob Ellinger, 26, was pursuing business studies at Montgomery County Community College to help him move into a management position at his family's automotive repair business, but his heart wasn't into the courses he was taking.

"That's what I thought was my avenue -- it was the safest avenue," Ellinger said. "I didn't like any of the classes I was taking like economics and accounting -- it wasn't my thing."

After investing a couple of years taking courses part-time, he decided to switch to MCCC's Sound Recording & Music Technology (SRT) Program. 

"I decided I was going to go for a career in audio," he said. "That is something I was truly passionate about and in the long run I knew I would be happy."

Making this switch came with a risk that Ellinger felt was worth taking despite knowing he could have easily had a comfortable life with managing a car shop. 

"A career in audio can be very risky in the beginning as far as contracting jobs and things like that," he said. "That was a big risk, but ultimately it all seems to be working out very well.”

Ellinger had support from his family to deviate from the family business to pursue his own professional path, which made the transition easy. 

"Luckily my family is extremely supportive and I'm very grateful for that," he said. "It wasn't anything shocking to them."

Accomplished faculty members

Being a student in MCCC’s SRT program enabled Ellinger to study under accomplished faculty members in the field, including Grammy-nominated engineer and award-winning producer David Ivory who has worked on gold and platinum albums, including the triple-platinum album, “Baduhizm,” by Erykah Badu.

“Rob was great – I knew he would get a gig right out of the gate,” Ivory said. “Rob went above and beyond his classwork and assignments.”

The SRT program enables students to gain a comprehensive background in sound recording, music production and music technology. Blue Bell Campus’ Advanced Technology Center (ATC), where classes are held, features state-of-the-art recording studios, a professional mixing suite, and electronic music and computer labs.

Students are prepared to go into a studio and work when they finish the program.

“We are very hands-on,” Ivory said. “We try to give as much as possible to the professional studio experience that the student is going to be a part of once they graduate.”

Ivory, who is the founder and owner of Ivory Productions, said that those, like Ellinger, who are most engaged in the program and work the hardest are the ones who are most likely to get a job right after graduating from the SRT program.

“They are always recording and working on different projects,” Ivory said. “They are working on podcasts and their own music.”

Collaborative not competitive

Ellinger said his experience with his fellow students at MCCC was one that was collaborative and not competitive.

“David brought out the best in almost every student,” Ellinger said. “He would build everybody up and there wasn’t a dull moment when he was teaching.”

After Ellinger graduated from the two-year program with an associate degree in Sound Recording and Music Technology in 2020, it wasn't long before he landed a job with the multi-media consulting agency, On Air Brands, which specializes in podcast production.

He has been working with the startup for over a year now where he serves as a lead sound engineer and producer. He was one of the first 10 employees of the enterprise and plans to grow with them. 

"We work with business owners and entrepreneurs expanding their brand through podcasting, social media marketing and content creation," Ellinger said. 

Made up of employees all over the country, On Air Brands also has clients nationwide. Ellinger recently returned from a business trip to Utah to cover an event for an organization called GoBundance. 

"It's a tribe of millionaires and entrepreneurs and they have events all year long that are mastermind meetings," Ellinger said. "The executive producer of ‘Family Guy’ was there -- he is also a real estate investor and a member of the group."

Recorded interviews with podcasters

Ellinger and his associates from On Air Brands set up a bunch of mini studios at the event location and recorded interviews with podcasters who were there covering the event and its participants.

"After recording the interviews, we produce them after the fact," he said, adding he has a sounds studio at his home. "I'm very fortunate because this type of work I'm doing is all remote, so I can do it from home or wherever I travel."

Ellinger, who lives in Montgomery County, enjoyed the opportunity to head out West through his work. 

"It's the farthest West I have ever been," he said. 

 In addition to events, On Air Brands is expanding into content creation for the video space. 

"A lot of people are consuming podcasts in multiple mediums," he said. "We are going to be prepared to provide content creation in every space." 

Ellinger said that most owners of businesses don't have the capability of expanding their brands on their own, so they turn to On Air Brands.

"A lot of them want to start podcasts and content creation, but are so busy," he said. "They give us the interview and we do our magic."

Put yourself out there and make connections

Ellinger said that putting yourself out there and making connections are important aspects to getting a job due to the competitive nature of the field. He said it also helped that he was able to beef up his portfolio with the work he did while at MCCC.

“You have to be super passionate,” he said. “You have to put yourself out there in a way that’s going to draw people to you.”

He was surprised and very grateful to get a job just six months after graduating. He has learned that showing kindness and being respectful to everyone can work in your favor when it comes to getting a job.

“You will be surprised when the right person comes along who can help you get started in your industry with what you want to do with your life,” Ellinger said.