Don't be afraid to start at the bottom.

There comes a time when you have paid your dues in the area you want to pursue as a career. So when do you get your chance to prove you've got what it takes to be someone they can trust to get the job done. You know, "let's use the new guy. he can do it, he's been here long enough". Well, wishful thinking. In the audio engineering field, that will not happen. Why? They didn't hire you to replace anyone, you were hired to clean up after the band that's recording has gone home.

What do you do when you want to sit in big boy chair and move all the knobs and faders, you wait your turn. Your day will come. In the audio recording business you have to be prepared to do all the little things that make up for you getting your shot at engineering the next Grammy winning album, like setting up the mics in the next session, making the instrument labels for the mixing console (engineers love to just show up start mixing), or getting refreshments for the band or artist while they are waiting to hear the rough cut of a track.

What this does is make you a reliable team player to management. When times are slow is when you get your chance to show them what you can do by asking them if you can you set up the board for a mix session. Remember, you better be ready to show up and show out when your chance comes. Know your key commands for short cuts and efficiency. You have to prove that you deserve to be here, and you can be an asset to the team not just the glorified coffee jock.

Starting from the ground up gives you a chance to learn how the process that's already in place works. Any addition you can bring to the table may come from what you have recognized as a break in the chain. Be patient and strike when the time is right.