ColoursToBe Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Hi, i'm in the process of applying for a few different work experience placements over the summer. I'm a second year Music Tech degree student and need some pointers on writing an effective professional cv. Because the town which i study in doesn't have a massive recording community or opportunities all my work so far has been uni related (except my own, electronic compositions). I'm currently working on a number of projects, an interactive installation using MAX MSP, sound design using Csound for an electro acoustic piece and an album of material of electroacoustic/ambient set to a series of abstract paintings. Should i mention these 'in progress' projects in my CV, my main worry is not having enough work to show off my skills. Also could any studio managers/professionals give me a few tips on things to include/avoid in my CV? Many Thanks Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 C2B, It helps to shape the content of your CV to each of the types of jobs you're applying for. That means, potentially, working up 3 different CV's for each of, say, 3 job applications. How old are you, and what kinds of jobs are you applying for? In general, though, I think it's OK to mention works in progress. Whether to highlight them or put them in an "additional work experience" section of your CV is hard to say. But just looking at the words you wrote about your WIP projects, it all seems very impressive! Re your abstract painting sound piece, are all the paintings by the same artists? And is he/she a contemporary artist? If so, it might be good to mention their name(s). If it's a long list of names, just surnames. What to avoid in your CV? What turns me off is the use of "other"; for example: "Staff Ethnomusicologist for Diddlydaddlyshire Community Choir and others." For me, "others" here is just too nebulous. I'd prefer to see a list of who the others are. For all I'd know, "others" could be just one other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoursToBe Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 Hi, i'm 22 and currently finishing my 2nd year studying creative music tech degree. I'm applying for general audio engineer assistant stuff, i'm expecting it to be unpaid, although i don't know whether to press for expenses to be covered, it's the old chestnut of undervaluing your work/time. All the works in progress are related to my degree, some are still in the conceptual stage, but will be finished due to being for my degree. The sound for picture is all by the same artist, Claire Undy, she's also a second year undergraduate at Wimbledon college of art, London. The interactive installation will be based off of one image from the series of paintings. The thing that's worrying me is the lack of concrete experience and evidence of my work, I know i can do what's needed when in the studio, but putting that across without hard evidence isn't the best. I feel that studio's may realise this when dealing with undergraduates since we havn't had a real chance to get our feet on the ladder (although not always the case). Also references, would it generally be advisable to list a reference and work experience from outside audio work? I was going to put a manager at my current job, i've been there since the start of uni so i though it may show dedication for staying at the same place whilst studying? Thanks for the advice though, just finished the cover letter to get me going, going to get on with the CV later this evening. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Hi, i'm 22 and currently finishing my 2nd year studying creative music tech degree. I'm applying for general audio engineer assistant stuff, i'm expecting it to be unpaid, although i don't know whether to press for expenses to be covered, it's the old chestnut of undervaluing your work/time. OK, let's talk about this. Ass't audio engineer. Does this really mean "intern"? If so, read the next paragraph. If not, skip it. FWIW, in the US, interns are rarely paid more than a very basic wage. The idea behind an internship (which is a combination of ass't engineering combined with the enviable tasks of making fresh coffee, ordering food, making sure the pencils are sharp, etc.) is that you learn the craft by observing more experienced people. So if this is indeed the case with the jobs you're applying for, it's hard to put a value on your work/time, because you don't have the experience to justify very much financial recognition. Internships are primarily learning experiences, not wage-earning ones. The hope is that you will learn the craft well-enough to one day make a living at it. All the works in progress are related to my degree, some are still in the conceptual stage, but will be finished due to being for my degree. I think it's rare that a studio employer will ask to hear examples of your musical work for the purpose of being an ass't engineer. But you never know. If the job listing says "bring 1 or 2 examples of your work", then you'll know for sure! Being that you're in your second year of school there's not going to be a huge expectation that you've amassed a great body of work. But concepts are intangible. To list something on paper implies that you have had an actual experience that has educated you and/or improved your skill-set in some way that would be of value to you and, most notably, your employer. But you can't put "well, I have this idea..." on a CV and expect to pique someone's interest. Or, of course, you can blag it and take your chances... The sound for picture is all by the same artist, Claire Undy, she's also a second year undergraduate at Wimbledon college of art, London. The interactive installation will be based off of one image from the series of paintings. If you've honestly begun this project (i.e., it's past the concept stage), you can list this as a "work in progress". It definitely sounds impressive, and may I add, cool too! The thing that's worrying me is the lack of concrete experience and evidence of my work, I know i can do what's needed when in the studio, but putting that across without hard evidence isn't the best. I feel that studio's may realise this when dealing with undergraduates since we havn't had a real chance to get our feet on the ladder (although not always the case). As I said above, there's not a high degree of expectation that you'd have a great body of work to show. So that's in your favor. Also references, would it generally be advisable to list a reference and work experience from outside audio work? I was going to put a manager at my current job, i've been there since the start of uni so i though it may show dedication for staying at the same place whilst studying? Showing that you have management skills can be a good thing, particularly if you emphasize that point on the CV. Still, it would be hard for me to say if, in the aggregate, listing that job would appear as too much of a non sequitor with regard to your other experience. I think that's your call. I'm officially offering no opinion LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoursToBe Posted March 15, 2008 Author Share Posted March 15, 2008 Excellent, this is all brilliant advice. Thanks The main position i'm going for is an internship i suppose, it's for a 3 month placement over summer. As i said, i'm not expecting any kind of wage, just the contact's i'll make will be worth it. It puts me at ease knowing that there wont be an expectation for me to have loads of work already done. The one thing about the studio i've picked in particular is the use of Logic in both rooms as well as protools. Since i'm using protools at uni and logic at home (as well as cubase on the side) is to my advantage. (Logic doesn't seem to be taught much in UK uni's it seems). Re the sound for pic/installation, currently planning my compositions/concepts and pricing how much my interactive installation is going to cost me, so they're still planning stages, but everything has to begin with a plan I'll post some pics/extracts when i'm done, expect it's a year away from completion of both projects though. Thanks for all this advice though, it's def put me at ease and given me some more perspective. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Cool! Definitely emphasize your PT and Logic knowledge. And do yourself a favor -- try to learn more about the finer points of PT and Logic on your own, outside of whatever they might be teaching you at school. (Maybe you're already doing this, and if so, kudos!). Finally, mention that you're a member of this forum, and that if you ever get stuck you can just post about the problem and get an answer within seconds. We're here for you 24 hours a day. LOL!!! (j/k) I'll bow out now and leave it to others to offer their advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkgross Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 I'd start out my learning a few of MY rules. :) http://www.logicprohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=17699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I'd start out my learning a few of MY rules. :) http://www.logicprohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=18036&view=next Huh? Wrong link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkgross Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 weird..ok..fixed it http://www.logicprohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=17699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.