A degree to get me into an audiophile career? - Page 2

I think you'll be fine if you tough it out, take advantage of opportunities most students don't (office hours, tutors at the student center, actually do the problem sets instead of copying the back of the book, and attend all the lectures and sections while taking notes and staying awake).  I know plenty of students who were not amazing at math, who got through engineering programs at Berkeley and Stanford through sheer grit.  If you want it enough, you'll make it happen and get through those discouraging phases.

I think you're on the right track.  The advantages to going to the best school you can for undergrad are that (1) that's the school that will have the most impact on you as you grow into a working professional and (2) most people will associate you with your undergrad school.  Even getting into a mechnical engineering program, but taking CS and EE classes on the side could be a possibility.  There's a lot of opportunity for overlap with good programs.  One other thing is to evaluate the University's overall ranking separately from the program's ranking.  For example, in the US, the ivy league schools are rated highly (Harvard, Yale, etc.) but you can do better at state schools for some programs like engineering.  Normal people won't be familiar with those nuances, but professionals and hiring managers are very aware of it.

You're right, focusing on your A-levels is the top priority right now.  If there's a way you can squeeze in a company visit or trade show in between A-levels and starting University, that might be a good way to go.  Don't get too self-conscious about awkwardness.  You'll get over it quickly, and most experienced professionals are very understanding and are just as excited to show someone young and interested the ropes.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I've dealt a fair bit with new grads from audio programs from for-profit schools in the US (the kinds of schools that teach art, video game design, etc.).  Those grads often find it very challenging to land a job in their field, much less a simple QA job in the entertainment industry.  The way the economy is and will likely remain, it may be many years until you land your dream job in audio.  A general engineering degree will make sure you continue to build your skills and experience as you seek out the right opportunity.  Simply having a college degree doesn't qualify you to do anything.  What the degree does is that it signals to hiring managers that you have the discipline and drive to complete a challenging major, and that you just might be worth the time, money, and risk to train.  They want to see that you're hard-working and capable, which is why good, green EEs are generally well-recruited.

Np.  I'm sure you'll sort it out as time goes on.  Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asr 

I can think of more reputable audio companies based in the UK:

 

- Arcam

- Avid HiFi

- Creek Audio

- Epos
- Exposure Hi-Fi

- Goldring

- Linn

- Monitor Audio

- Music Hall

- Nordost

- Pro-Ject

- Rega

 

Some of these companies make only digital, or analog, or other components like speakers or cables. Depends on what you want to get into. And of course there are lots of other companies based in the UK.

 

With a physics/electronics background, it could make more sense to get into a company that makes digital components, though if you have the interest an analog or speaker company could be an option too.

 

I'd also reiterate the suggestion of attending audio shows. That could be a good way to start networking and looking for job opportunities.

I thought Nordost was based in the US

One thing I found nice about math was, the higher you go, the more the applications become apparent, and (to me) the more it begins to make sense. 

It's no longer just an abstract - use this formula because we said so. Suddenly it's "this is how much weight that bridge can hold" and "please use your calculator, it's faster and more accurate than you are." You end up with the hard work (for me easier) of understanding what you are after, and leaving the grunt work of calculating to the machines. Which frankly, is the way it should be. 

Totally true... until you get to differential equations then its back to pointlessness
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamstrain 

One thing I found nice about math was, the higher you go, the more the applications become apparent, and (to me) the more it begins to make sense. 

 

It's no longer just an abstract - use this formula because we said so. Suddenly it's "this is how much weight that bridge can hold" and "please use your calculator, it's faster and more accurate than you are." You end up with the hard work (for me easier) of understanding what you are after, and leaving the grunt work of calculating to the machines. Which frankly, is the way it should be. 

To the OP you should at least try to become an engineer its a pretty fun career. Just dont follow my example and switch majors in your 4th year that throws a wrench in life plans believe me.