Q&A with a Consultant

This week we’re proud to celebrate National Engineers Week. The 2025 theme, “Design Your Future”, highlights the impact and limitless possibilities of a career in engineering. We spoke with Andrew, a senior audio-video consultant, to discuss his insights and industry experiences.

Any advice you’d give someone considering an audio-video engineering career?

Getting involved as an AV tech volunteer at a church, school, or community music or drama program is a great way to start to gain exposure to audio-video systems. Getting hands-on experience with these systems and the associated equipment can help you decide if it’s of interest and can give you invaluable insights as a designer. Many education paths can lead to audio-video design. I come from an architectural engineering background which has helped with working with architects and other disciplines. I had an opportunity to work with an AV integrator for a summer in college, which gave me experience in the installation aspects and has helped me communicate with contractors installing the systems we design.

How do you maintain knowledge of audio-video technologies and advancements in this fast-paced industry?

This can be tricky. Things move very quickly, and it seems like companies are releasing new products constantly. Staying plugged in with consultant representatives and attending trade shows can be a big help. It is also important to stay curious about what is happening in the industry to not be afraid to occasionally spend some time digging through the internet looking for new and different AV solutions.

How would you define audio-video engineering and some specific challenges you solve?

It encompasses everything from working with a client to determining what they need to fully flesh out a complete design that meets those needs. It requires both a mix of technical ability and creative artistry. We are often tasked with designing systems that meet a myriad of user requirements while keeping within a project’s budget.  We use our experience to help guide our clients and balance their needs and wants against the costs of those features and functions.  It is also a challenge to provide systems that are flexible enough to meet the needs of the client and are easy to operate. The most advanced AV system does not do the client any good unless it is user-friendly enough for them to effectively operate it.

Contact us to learn how we can help you with your next project.