Jump Start -- by Tannis Smith

Do the lights of Broadway call your name and the Hollywood hills appeal to your senses? Perhaps you see yourself in a sound studio, mixing, combining and editing sound for the next chart topping music CD. Or maybe, just maybe you prefer systematically collecting crime scene evidence to help investigators crack a tough case.

If you've said, 'Yes, that's me!' to any of the above descriptions, you are not alone. Some of the most desirable jobs for youth today are those of; Actor, Sound Engineer and Crime Scene Investigator. These are all wonderful and exciting careers but unfortunately they have been identified as being difficult to break into. They are only attainable through hard work and persistence. If you are determined and have a true passion for any of these careers you should identify your goals now and begin striving to accomplish them.

The following discussion includes suggestions on what you can do to attain the success you desire in any one of the above mentioned careers.

JUMPING IN!

Due to the highly competitive nature of these fields, it's important to do what you can to gain an edge. You could begin by looking for volunteer opportunities within your field of interest that would allow you to gain experience and provide an opportunity to network. Networking is a key component to furthering your career. It's important to market yourself aggressively and make contacts with people in the industry. One way of achieving this is through information interviews.

Consider becoming an entrepreneur to market the skills you gain in your profession of choice. Relocating is another option. Look outside the region you live in to find employment. Be willing to travel to the job you want rather than waiting for the job to come to you. If for some reason you are unsuccessful in attaining a position in one of these fields, have a back-up plan. Identify other areas of interest and attain marketable skills that you can fall back on during times of hardship.

EDUCATION:

If you are interested in obtaining further information on any of these occupations, a great website to check out is www.alis.ca. This site includes occupational profiles that list: duties, personal attributes, educational requirements, employment outlook, salary and other sources of information. Actor, Sound Engineer and Forensic Laboratory Analyst are included.

Actor: For the majority, actors have some type of formal training in the performing arts. There are a number of schools that provide the training required to become an Actor.

Augustana University College: Located in Camrose, AB - they offer a three and four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Drama.

Canadian College of Performing Arts: Located in Victoria, BC - they offer a one-year certificate program. Auditions are mandatory before acceptance to the program.

Grant MacEwan College: Located in Edmonton, AB - they offer a two-year Theatre Arts diploma program.

Juilliard School: Located in New York, NY - they offer a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.

Mount Royal College: Located in Calgary, AB - they offer a two-year Theatre Arts diploma program.

The University of Alberta: Located in Edmonton, AB - they offer a four-year BFA and BA degree program in Drama.

The University of Calgary: Located in Calgary, AB - they offer a four-year BFA degree program in Drama.

Sound Engineer: According to the ALIS website, no formal education is required to become a Sound Engineer. On the job training and a working knowledge of computer-based recording technologies are a legitimate means of furthering your career. An understanding of music theory and harmony is a recommended asset for those who wish to work on music projects.

The Art Institute of Vancouver - Burnaby: Located in Burnaby, BC, students who finish three years can qualify to prepare for entry to the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) in England and pursue a bachelor's degree.

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts: Located in Liverpool, UK, they provide a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sound Technology. Definitely a long way to travel, but perhaps worth the trip to gain the knowledge and skills you desire.

Fanshawe College: Located in Ontario, they provide a two-year diploma in Music Industry Arts and a one-year post-graduate certificate program in Recording Industry - Digital Applications.

Crime Scene Investigator: If you want a career in crime scene investigation with the Calgary Police Service (CPS), you must first become a sworn police officer and get a few years of experience on the job. If you are interested in the scientific side of crime scene investigation perhaps a forensic laboratory is for you. A minimum of a bachelor degree would be required or a technical diploma.

British Columbia Institute of Technology: Located in Burnaby, BC - they offer a certificate in Forensic Studies and a Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Investigation degree.

Calgary Police Service

Mount Royal College: Located in Calgary, AB - they offer a one-year certificate program in Forensic Studies.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

University of Windsor : Located in Windsor, ON - they offer a Bachelor of Forensic Science degree program.

University of Toronto: Located in Mississauga, ON - they offer an undegrad degree in forensic science.

Laurentian University: Located in Sudbury, ON - they offer a Biology degree with a specialization in forensic biology.

Other Sources of Information:

Actors:

Canadian Actors Equity Association

Theatre Calgary

Sound Engineer:

Alberta Recording Industry Association

Canadian Independent Record Production Association

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

Crime Scene Investigator:

The Canadian Society of Forensic Science