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Line Out: Going Full Circle

Career paths are circular in nature. People move around in their industry, perhaps returning to the position in which they started. We often think of

Line Out: Going Full Circle

Jul 1, 2004 12:00 PM,
By Dave Hosbach

Career paths are circular in nature. People move around in their industry, perhaps returning to the position in which they started. We often think of this “going full circle” as an end. One might say, “I’ve done all these things; now I can cruise until I retire.”

But the opposite should be true. Instead of the closing circle representing an end, it should signal a new start. A new circle should take shape. It’s an extremely rewarding situation, one in which the application of past experiences makes the next step much more successful.

My particular journey is certainly not unique. However, as we step into new positions, we must build on our experiences instead of forgetting them.

I’ve taken many turns on my career path. All of them are experiences that have helped me learn and grow within this industry, and they have put me in a better position to be successful today. I went to college to become a teacher, and during that time, I developed a keen interest in sound. After several years of teaching, I changed career directions and entered the pro sound industry.

I began as an installer and moved into sales, system design, and acoustics. After ten years, I went to work in marketing and product development at Electro-Voice (EV). Six years later, I found myself in a one-year stint with a pro sound rep firm. Two years were spent with the NSCA in event operations.

All the while, I’ve been involved in church life. I’ve directed choirs and developed worship settings and programs. I’ve led workshops on worship and using media in worship.

What’s all this movement done, other than driving my wife crazy and moving her to tell me to “figure out what I want to do when I grow up”?

In returning to contracting, I have gone full circle. Although I may not have known it at the time, the experience and education I gained at each step have built a strong foundation that serves me well today. My teacher training taught me to bring my presentations to the level of my audience, whether it’s a church sound committee or a group of industry veterans that Jim Long and I spoke to in the EV pro sound seminars.

As an installer, I learned rigging and installation practices that I now pass along to our technicians. My early contracting experience was put to use at EV as we developed and marketed products for the installed-sound market.

While at EV, I had the opportunity to learn more lessons about customer relations, marketing, and engineering from the likes of EV legends Jim Long and Paul McGuire and industry icons such as Bob Coffeen and Craig Janssen.

Back home in contracting, it all comes together as I serve my clients and my company better than I could have done before. I can educate my clients from their perspective to help them understand their systems better. Understanding worship settings and basic principles in acoustics helps me apply products wisely. I understand factory issues and can explain supply issues to my clients.

Think about your career path. Build on what you’ve learned. It will pay off.

Dave Hosbachcurrently holds the position of systems engineer with Metro Sound of New Berlin, Wisconsin, where he designs audio and video systems, performs acoustical testing, and provides setup and commissioning for Metro clients.

“Line Out” is the forum forSound & Video Contractorreaders to speak out about industry-related topics from trends to business practices to technology. Contact Mark Johnson at (510) 985-3203 or at[email protected]to voice your opinion.

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