Is mentoring a lost art in the AV industry? Check out these 4 tips to grow your career in the events industry.
Finding and becoming a mentor is an issue that every industry must deal with especially in live events industry. This industry is hard, and we all know it.
Mentors are looking for people interested in learning a skill, have a positive attitude and work hard.
When I started (which was just after electricity was discovered), I had a degree in technical theater and thought I needed to be at the top. Then I started sending out resumes and trying to book work. It quickly became obvious that I needed to start at the beginning and take what was offered.
I want everyone to know that does not last very long if you are driven and work well with people.
From the first time I worked on an event, I noticed something very interesting. If you come to the job with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, there are people who want you to succeed and are willing to teach you those skills.
Listen to the department lead. Take initiative and when someone says can you help me set up a console or wire the RF rack or ring out the mics do it.
If you have an LD or A1 or V1 that offers you an opportunity, take it, and ask questions. Usually, if they ask you to help it is because they see talent.
Be curious, mentoring is not a lost art, you just have to look, and you will see a lot of people interested in mentoring you.
As you learn and grow and move into those lead positions, be willing to share that knowledge with others.
💡Related: 14 Tips on How to Break Into Live Events from AV Pros
I started in live events with the knowledge, and not necessarily the skill to apply it. I had a mentor that was willing to help me hone that talent and teach me new things whenever they could. I even bartered helping them do a show if they would train me on a lighting console.
That was invaluable to getting me to the next level. Then when they could not do a show, they would recommend me, and it started a great career.
Mentorship is definitely not a lost art, but as someone new to the business I would say, seek out the opportunities to learn new skills.
Looking for more advice? Check out this podcast episode:
How To Advance Your Events Career Through Education & Training feat. Omar Colom
How the Live Events Industry which is made up of a workforce of 12 million people that generates $886 billion on an annual basis, found itself...
Time to unpack if daily overtime is better or worse in the events industry.
It's time to resolve the common misconceptions about low bill rates and challenge traditional practices that are no longer acceptable in the events...