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Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Audio

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SoundGirls Facebook Group

If you haven’t joined SoundGirls Facebook Group, this would be a perfect time to do so. With over 9,000 members and counting, our Facebook Group is a great way to learn more knowledge, network and find job listings. Here are a few commonly asked questions amongst the Facebook group highest responses.

“I am going on my first tour. What are some pro tips and general tour bus rules?”

  1. Backpack/daypack: including; laptop, chargers, water bottle, headphones, stuff you’ll need all day, also a packable rain jacket ’cause you never know.
  2. Big suitcase: This bag lives in the bay of the bus. You only get it out on days off to replenish #3 below.
  3. Shower bag – enough changes of clothes to get you through until the next day off, shower shoes/flip flips/thongs, PJs, toiletries. This bag lives in a junk bunk or the back lounge (or your bunk if neither of those is available).

Some great articles to check out: 

Practical Advice For Your First Tour

The Bus Rules 

What’s In Your Go Bag?

“Where can I find a great pair of black work clothes/pants?”

Finding comfortable work pants is a common issue women face in our industry and in our day-to-day style.

Let’s Go Shopping! 

Women’s Workwear

Amazon Black Leggings 

Tactical Women Workwear

Carhartt Women’s Pants

Abisko Women’s Pants

“How can I get thicker skin in the industry?”

“Oftentimes when we experience negativity from someone, it has more to do with them than you. You could be doing everything right to the best of your abilities and still get hounded. The best thing to do is to try to not absorb that energy, breathe deep, and keep moving.” – Willa Snow

“Rise above and know that it’s a reflection of them, not you, which allows you to stay on your own side of the street. I get tired of hearing “man up” said to anyone in this industry who is sensitive.”  – K.C

“I’ve been in this industry for 12 years. The key is not to let it get in your way, even if that means sometimes having to take a walk to chill. Also, don’t confuse getting thick skin with being abused; learn to set boundaries and stand your ground.” – L.M.

Recourses: 

Psychology Today: Getting Thicked Skinned

Tiny Buddha: Dealing with Criticism

Managing Highly Sensitive People

“How do you find a Mentor?”

SoundGirls offers an amazing mentorship program connecting SoundGirls across the Globe to meet, gain industry insight and education. You can find information for mentorship here. The right mentoring relationship can be a powerful tool for professional growth, leading to networking, new jobs, and or a promotion. Here are a few tips when choosing a mentor.

  1. Know your goals. Create short-term and long-term career goals using the SMART: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound.
  2. Let the relationship evolve organically. Mentoring should feel organic and grow over time based on mutual respect and trust.
  3. Commit to the process. Mentorship is like any other relationship that requires patience, communication, and growth. Trust the process!

Resources 

NPR: The Right Mentor Can Change Your Career

How to Find a Mentor

 

Women-led Non-Profit Organizations

March marks Women’s History Month where we pay homage to the women in the world that make an impact and difference in society. SoundGirls has been an amazing platform for women in the audio industry. In this article, I will be sharing resources for other women-led Non-Profit Organizations that help recognize and support women in music.

Beats By Girlz

Beats By Girlz is a Non-Profit Organization designed to empower women/GNC youth through music technology after-school and summer programs. Youth ages 10-17 can find their local BBG chapter and sign-up for Ableton Live lessons. Are you a music producer wanting to give back to the community? Sign-up to create your own chapter and provide lessons! More information can be found Beats By Girlz

Gear Fanatix

Gear Fanatix is a new platform for women/GNC individuals to review gear and have a safe space for discussion on music technology software and hardware. Think GearSluts minius the misogyny. Gear Fantix is looking for contributors to their platform! For more information about Gear Fanatix can be found Gear Fanatix

Gender Amplified

The mission of the Gender Amplified movement is to provide a platform for the promotion and advancement of women in music production and to identify and motivate the next generation of women music producers. By organizing public events that foster healthy dialogue about the role gender plays in the music-making process, Gender Amplified endeavors to give voice to a subculture of women and gender non-binary people who are using music technology to create their own music and perpetuate their unique identities. Gender Amplified

Hit Like A Girl

Hit Like A Girl is hosting the tenth annual international contest for female drummers, percussionists and beatmakers. Its purpose is to showcase and encourage drumming and lifelong musicianship for girls, women, and gender-expansive individuals, regardless of age, playing level, or geographic location. SoundGirls has teamed up with Hit Like A Girl for this month’s contest! More information can be found Hit Like A Girl 

Shesaid.so

The shesaid.so community consists of women and gender minorities from all sectors of the music industry: from record labels, artist management companies, and booking agencies, through to technology platforms, creative agencies, composers, artists and more. With headquarters in London and LA, shesaid.so has 18 global chapters around the world including NYC, France, Italy, and Mumbai. More information can be found Shesaid.so 

Women’s Audio Mission

Women’s Audio Mission is the only professional recording studio in the world built and run by women/GNC (Gender Non-conforming) individuals. Each month and year Women’s Audio Mission provides hands-on training, work experience, career counseling, and job placement for over 2,000 women. More information can be found Women’s Audio Mission 

Women In Music

Women in Music is the industry’s leading non-profit working to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment, and recognition. Founded in 1985, WIM is now fueled by 100+ volunteers working daily to serve thousands worldwide. More information can be found Women In Music 

70+ (and growing) All-women and feminist sound/music tech collectives, co-ops, non-profits

Women in the Professional Audio

Women-Owned Businesses

 

 

Adapt to Thrive – Career Path Changes or Continuing Education is Essential.

 

 

Audio Programmers are skilled coders specialized in implementing audio and music into video game engines, creating plugins, and software development. Programmers, IT, and other technology industry jobs are at an all-time high. Between 2020 through 2029 Computer and Information Technology jobs expect to see a much faster than average growth of 22%. The median salary of an audio programmer is $87,000. Top earners make $103,000 per year in the United States.

While our industry continues to be at a standstill, thinking about career path changes or continuing education is essential. We are SoundGirls, and SoundGirls MUST learn how to adapt to changes, by any means necessary. If you’ve been thinking about learning a new skill while staying in your industry, here are steps I am currently taking as well to become an Audio Programmer.

Learn How to Code/CS

With any programming job, one must know how to code. There are many different programming languages. Audio Programmers are mostly skilled in C/C+, Java, and MAX/MSP. Audio Programmers are also proficient in APIs like Miles, FMOD, and Wwise. There are many Coding Bootcamps online or locally near you. FREE coding courses are Code Academy, Khan Academy, and Up Skill just to name a few. There are many self-taught programmers but formal education is favored for high-paid salary positions. Having an undergrad in recording arts/audio production with a graduate degree in Computer Science (CS) is common. Also, online coding boot camps offer a certification of completion for a fraction of the cost of a Bachelors or Masters degree.

Build a Portfolio

Building your portfolio is essential for any career path. Create work that demonstrates your technical knowledge of the principles of sound and audio manipulation, and as well as your skills as a programmer. Audio programmers are a piece of a larger puzzle, dive into other technology/coding skills to show your strengths.

Network

Just like the entertainment industry and many other professional industries, networking is very important. Social media has greatly improved how we network daily. Find forums, Facebook groups, and other websites where you can meet like-minded peers and hopefully a mentor.

Audio Programming is one of the infinite technology jobs that are out there. With our current skill set as well as continuing education, an audio programmer can transition into Front End Developer, Technical Writer, Software Developer, QA Analyst, and Database Administrator. Here are a few more resources to check out.

When We Lose Momentum 

 

When we lose momentum many of us feel stuck. Trapped. Feeling as if one cannot progress to their next destination in life. Many of us felt this way throughout this year. I had my first tour gig in January 2020, only eight weeks later I was handed a blank schedule due to COVID. During that time, many audio engineers, techs, and entertainment industry workers became angry. Some of us still are.

Many like myself began thinking of career path changes, going back to school, and other steps to progress and cope with the given circumstances. I started working in an office job as an assistant. I am grateful I have work, but I am healthy-dissatisfied with my work because I know it is not my passion. David Neagle’s The Successful Mind Podcast defines healthy-dissatisfaction as, “Dissatisfaction with the status quo drives innovation in two ways. It helps find new ways to do things, spurring creativity. And, dissatisfaction with the status quo provides the will to persevere. Restlessness is an invaluable human change driver. So, next time you feel dissatisfied with the way things are, embrace that feeling. It might be the most important motivator to change with purpose.” We have to embrace those feelings of dissatisfaction in order to progress and continue moving in life without losing momentum.

This is all easier said than done, to continue my momentum, I started back to basics. Eat. Sleep. Exercise. When we take care of ourselves and attend to self-care, we are able to think clearly, focus on our life purpose/goals, and put first things first. When you feel as if you lost momentum, reflect and ask yourself these questions:

“What do I desire in my life?”

“What is my dream job/career goal?” “What are the necessary steps I need to take to accomplish my goal?”

“What does success for me look like?”

Many creatives like ourselves experience self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. Holding on to these feelings will only put you into a darker hole. By continuing to move forward, keeping momentum, staying positive, getting back to basics (eat, sleep, and exercise) one can accomplish each and anything we put our minds to. We have to remind ourselves, never to lose sight of our goals, passion, and desires. Whether it is a small bump in the road or a major detour to our destinations, we must learn to enjoy the journey

 

How Can We Boost Intersectionality in Audio?

 

Intersectionality is the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage. It is no secret that women, people of color, and other minority groups are highly underrepresented in our audio industry. So how do we change this? We need to understand intersectionality and practice intersectionality as a WAY OF THINKING and ACTION, and not just a word.

Understand and Recognize Differences

Stating that you “don’t see color” is a problem. A huge problem. Understand and recognize there are many different people from all walks of life. Race,  gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. These character traits are what make each and every one of us individuals and unique. Besides being prejudiced against people who are different from you, learn to embrace differences and recognize your own differences. Understanding and recognizing differences can help the audio industry hire and create a safe space for minority groups.

Increase Representation

How many times have we seen audio companies host panels and seminars with only white cis-gender men on the panel? It is truly disgusting, and when these companies are called out about this, very little is done about the matter. Why is this? We need to increase representation. In order for us to increase representation in the audio industry, we actually need to hire minority groups. Generate panels with more people of color and women in our industry. There are very few if any women or people of color in executive positions. There is not one Black-Owned audio touring company on a large scale in the US. Before you hire your “homeboys” and skip over resumes of names that “sound Black”, please understand the damage that is being done for individuals and groups who already suffer from discrimination disproportionately. There are a lot of racists in power and in positions that inflict their racist ideology in society and jobs. This is also true in our industry.

Join the Conversation

Staying silent and ignoring social justice reforms and racism is not okay. Ally is not a noun. Ally is a verb, something you do and continue to do because it is right. Speak up against racism, homophobia, misogyny, and every other form of hate and oppression. Join the conversation against hate and create a conversation in the workplace. We saw many companies speak up standing with BLM but continue to discriminate against Blacks. We need to continue to educate ourselves and each other.

More on creating an inclusive industry

How to Find the Best Candidate for the Job

Twi McCallum on Hiring Black Designers and Creatives

Twi McCallum on The SoundGirls Podcast

For the Men Who Want to Support Women in Audio

A Guide to Supporting Women in Sound

Black Technicians Matter

On Current Events and the State of Our Industry

Women in Audio – Music Blogs, Collectives, and Organizations

A More Inclusive Industry

 

 

 

Pride Through Our Eyes

 

June has arrived! We are officially half-way through the year. June is also Pride Month. Pride is known in the LGBT Community as a month filled with celebration, joy, and parades. But this Pride Month is different. Pride parades and events across the globe are canceled. But this doesn’t have to stop the spirit of Pride. I couldn’t write this article without including others. I asked our SoundGirls Community that identify as LGBTQ+ to share experiences and insight. Here is what some have to say.

What does Pride mean to you? 

“Pride to me is just being true to yourself. Loving what makes you different from everyone else. Loving the parts of yourself that people will try to shame you for. Being you and loving it. That’s pride to me.” (Alexi Wright, She/Her)

“Pride means being able to bring your whole self to any situation and not feeling like you have to hide or amend any part of who you are” (Kacie Willis, She/Her)

“Pride means being unashamed of who I am and what I accomplish, or how I live.” (Samantha Potter, She/Her)

“Pride means not being afraid or ashamed of my own identity. (Luana Moreno, She/Her)

“To me, Pride is about being able to come together with my queer community and take up space in a way that we are not normally afforded.” (Audrey Martinovich, bi, she/her)

Have you ever experienced prejudice in a work environment because you are LGBTQ+? 

“I’ve experienced the typical misogynists that come with working in a very male-dominated industry. A lot of LGBTQ women do go through some form of bs, which is very unfortunate because these women are more than capable of doing their job. But, I personally don’t have any crazy horror stories when it comes to my experiences.”

“Not overtly, as in “we don’t hire lesbians”. But I have experienced being equated to “the guys” and being expected to be complacent with the objectification of other women because I’m attracted to them. I have been objectified because I am a bisexual woman. And heard that this orientation is “just an excuse to be slutty”.”

“I am very fortunate to have never had my sexuality be an issue at work but I recognize that this is not the case for many LGBTQ+ people.”

In what ways can the Entertainment Industry, particularly the Audio Industry be more inclusive? 

“The industry should make conscious and consistent efforts to provide educational/shadowing opportunities to students in under-represented demographics. It all starts with exposure.”

“Be more welcoming to women in general. Stop the boys club culture, because toxic masculinity and homophobia come in that same pack.”

“The audio industry can be more inclusive by marketing towards minority groups of all kinds and encourage participation. It’s becoming way more of a casual topic, gayness, and the like than it used to be. I think the Entertainment Industry probably has the highest ratio of LGBT-to-het/cis-gendered individuals. Audio is not a large group and by sheer numbers, there are just statistically more white straight men. It’d be nice if we could have a space for LGBT audio folk. It comes down to the question, “How do we get people who have no idea this industry exists involved in said industry?”

“The audio industry needs to make a conscious decision to be more open and include images of Queer, POC, and women in their advertising and media campaigns. Normalize the look of someone other than straight, white, men as a place to start. Hiring people with the intent to have a diverse staff. If Beyoncé can find 15 black women who can play the violin while being her tap-dancing backup dancers, it’s possible to find more queer engineers/producers for projects.”

What advice could you give to a SoundGirl that is struggling with their identity? 

“Best advice I can give you if you’re struggling with your identity is, trust yourself.

Nobody knows YOU better than YOU. Trust that you’re not crazy, and there’s NOTHING wrong with you. Most importantly, love yourself. You’re beautiful in every way.”

“Anyone struggling with their sexuality or identity should find a group of friends through which they can find a support system. SoundGirls is a great community to sort of shout “Hey, is there anyone else like me out there?” and find those other people who can relate or at the very least, are strong allies. We should never be afraid to live like how we want, but there are some real-life limitations and it’s a tough line to walk — that world between being true to yourself and a working professional. Sometimes those can be mutually exclusive but often are not. Like most things, there’s a huge land of gray where we can live as ourselves and be amazing professionals in pro audio.”

“Reach out to the community, in private if needs be. It’s incredibly inclusive and most people in this group are committed to being supportive.”

“I would tell a struggling SoundGirl to find a community. Whether that’s a friend they trust or to post in the SoundGirls Facebook page. We are here for each other from amateurs to pros, gay/straight/everything in between and beyond, and I know personally that older LGBT+ folks went through some stuff and love passing down advice and guidance to the younger generation. Whatever you’re experiencing, someone has been through it. Find them and ask how they dealt with it and how it turned out.”

“The struggle is real…but on the other side of the struggle, you will eventually find peace. Breathe. Live life day by day.”

As a Black Queer Muslim Woman working in the audio industry, I am thankful for my SoundGirl’s Community. I am grateful that I have a community that is empowering and uplifting. At times, when I felt like my voice wasn’t heard or I was discriminated against in a work environment, I am always able to count on SoundGirls for support and guidance.

Have a safe Pride Month, filled with love and self-love.

Thank you to all of the SoundGirls that have contributed.

Skills College Can’t Teach You 

With graduation season upon us, the Class of 2020 is preparing for graduations in their homes. Through these difficult circumstances, graduating from college is an amazing accomplishment that deserves recognition. It has been a year since I have graduated from school, and through this year I have learned many skills college doesn’t teach you.

Here are a few things you will not learn in college

Networking and relationship building: “It’s not what you know but It’s who you know” is truer than you may think. Networking is meeting new people in a professional context, building those relationships over time, and providing value to each other. This skill is essential because a person’s main success is due to “human engineering”—your personality, communication ability, negotiation skills, and emotional intelligence.

Setting realistic career goals: Nine out of ten chances you aren’t going to land your dream job right out of college. I’ve been denied from Turner Broadcasting several times since I have moved to Atlanta. Setting goals, with realistic deadlines, is an important skill to have in any job where you don’t have someone explicitly telling you what to do. Goal-setting is also valuable for personal development and growth.

Work Hard. Hustle Harder: Good things come to those who hustle! How to sell your ideas and yourself is something not taught in college, but you’ll miss great opportunities if you lack the skills and confidence to put yourself out there. You get that dream job by selling yourself to a hiring manager. You get startup investors by selling your vision. You negotiate a raise by selling yourself to a higher-up.

It is so important to continue education and work on skills that college doesn’t teach you. These skills and many more will help you get a job and keep a job in the industry. Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Despite the circumstance, finishing school amazing. With hard work, determination, and drive anything you want to achieve can and will happen.

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