SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Chelsea VandeDrink (BA, Audio Production and Music, 2006) works as recording, mastering and production engineer with Cincinnati Public Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio.



SCAN: How did you land your job?
Chelsea VandeDrink: I interned with Cincinnati Public Radio the summer of 2006 under the mentoring of Alex Kosiorek. It was an extremely busy internship and I was here at just the right time. It was opera season and we had to set up in the pit and on stage. We were also conducting several surround-sound tests with Neural in addition to tests in coordination with NPR. Fortunately for me and my predecessor, Alex received a teaching position at the Cleveland Institute of Music. The job freed up and they asked him for recommendations of who to call and he recommended me.

SCAN: When do you realize this was the career for you?
CV: I don’t know if I had any sort of sudden realization that this was the profession for me. My decision to be an audio engineer was primarily because I have been a musician … all my life. All I have ever known is how to relate to music, so I figured that would be something I could be good at. I tried Music Therapy and Music Education, but it just wasn’t for me. Then I went to a show in Kansas City and saw someone on stage doing live sound, pointed at them and said “I want to do that!” … and, well, here I am, doing almost just that.

SCAN: What’s the best way to prepare for an interview?
CV: Eat a banana … potassium calms the nerves. No really — have a really well put together portfolio and résumé. By being particular about those two crucial things, you should be very prepared for the interview. Relax, look professional and be yourself. Most employers can see when you are not being genuine. However, don’t be a complete flake. Take the interview as seriously as you want to be taken. If you really want a job in that career path and you are serious about it, convince the people interviewing you by your professionalism, your preparation and most importantly, your confidence.

SCAN: Any advice for those looking for a job?
CV: Don’t give up! I know it is hard, but just keep checking ads, Craig’s list and all those sorts of places. Do the best you can at your internship to receive great reviews and recommendations. This is the entertainment business. so find freelance work when possible and just keep building that résumé. It takes A LOT of hard work, and my GOD! I am still working hard to this day …

SCAN: What classes taught you the most about your chosen industry?
CV: Music Recording and probably Multitrack. That is a really hard question to answer because when I was in the audio program, our professors encouraged us to do outside gigging as much as possible so honestly; the classes all kind of run together for me. I think the greatest learning lessons were from the school of hard knocks. Get out there with the equipment and record as much as possible. Honestly … I think that is what got me where I am today.



SCAN: Best on-the-job experience so far?
CV: Recording the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra playing the Moldau and a Sibelius Violin Concerto. They also did Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony … I definitely cried. I have the opportunity to record and produce the broadcasts for one of the top five symphonies in the nation for an NPR affiliated radio station. Everyday at work is a great job experience as well as a challenge. I also had the opportunity to meet Producer/Engineer Michael Bishop from Telarc … pretty cool!

SCAN: Company you’d love to work for?
CV: That is another tough one. I am going back to school next spring for a master in International Business and a Spanish certificate. I plan on doing my practicum through the Peace Corps with an emphasis in non-profit organizations. I would really like to become an international correspondent for NPR, engineer oversees and such.

SCAN: Person you most admire in your field?
CV: Barry Hufker. To this day he is my greatest mentor and probably the person I have learned the most from. I honestly would not be in this field or where I am today if it weren’t for him … and you know I am not brown-nosing … he no longer gives me a grade!

SCAN: What Web site do you visit just to kill time?
CV: It is between WOXY (an independent station that we partner with here in Cincinnati — they do a lot of shows and support upcoming independent artists), Tape Op, AES, a bike forum, and fixed gear gallery.

SCAN: Best way to fuel creativity?
CV: I find the best way for me to fuel my creativity is to keep from being stifled. I am constantly seeking new avenues for music and recording. I break dance at the Hip Hop school ‘Elements’ here in Cincinnati, help put on shows and bring new bands into the studio as often as possible. I try to find ways to expose the arts here in Cincinnati. They have got a great scene here. It just needs a little support from the entertainment industry … that is what I am here for.

SCAN: What’s on your desk right now?
CV: Some toys (Dunnys … things of that nature), a clay pot filled with CD markers, pens, pencils, a phone, Cincinnati Opera back-up CDs, a Crown D-75A stereo power amplifier for my speakers at home, a clip board, a lamp, remotes for an HHB and Tascam recorder, my coffee mug, cell phone, ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu, oh yeah! And my computer.

SCAN: How many hours a week do you work?
CV: Anywhere between 20 and 70. Depends on the week and which one follows it. I have been known to work about 220 hours in a month. A little much, but I still love my job!

SCAN: Favorite fringe benefit of your job?
CV: Cheap equipment for my home. I get the hand-me downs. Let us not forget that my job is to listen to music … um … that is a benefit right there.

SCAN: Is your current salary more or less than you expected to be making at this point?
CV: Mucho, mucho, more!!!

SCAN: What do you plan to do on your next paid vacation day?
CV: Go to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky and climb — then an Alley Cat race in Chicago!!!

SCAN: Things you miss most about Webster?
CV: My friends, faculty and free equipment. Webster definitely has a sense of camaraderie, but still allows for quite a bit of independence.

Did you just land a job in your field? E-mail scan@webster.edu and tell us about it.

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