Well, yesterday was quite the whirlwind of events. I had my interview at Intellitek yesterday morning… they are a software company that sells an e-business solutions software. I’m sure you are thinking the same thing everyone else thinks…. “Why in the world is Megan even applying for this job?!” haha. Well… I’ve been working part-time ever since returning from my internship in California and there are expenses that are coming my way that I can’t afford – like health insurance, a new car, and of course, car insurance. With those expenses moving their way closer and closer each day, I knew sometime soon I’d have to bite the bullet and take on a full-time job, giving up my free time to do songwriting, recording, and traveling. However, there are other things I’m possibly looking ahead to, like maybe grad school, or a major backpacking trip across Europe, or biking across the US or Japan or something awesome like that. Some of those are probably more dreams than anything – but it’d be nice to be saving up some money and in the future be able to actually do one of them! So, that takes us back to why I was interviewing for the job – financial security. Also, it was an outside sales position, so I would gave some valuable experience in sales which always looks good on a resume. The interview went really well and I was shocked to find out that the CEO used to live in Nashville and was trying to start a Christian record label and music promotions company!!! What are the odds?! It gave me such a good feeling knowing that I would be working for someone who not only is a Christian, but also tried to make it in the music industry… so he’d most likely understand my dreams and future goals. After the interview I talked through it with my parents and we decided that yeah, it seemed like a good opportunity and there wasn’t too much risk involved – or at least risks that I wouldn’t’ be willing to take. So, I decided to accept the position, IF offered one!
Well, I went back home to work and of course was anxious all day to get the phone call telling me whether or not I was being offered a job at Intellitek. My cell phone rang shortly after 5:00, and it was a number I didn’t recognize – so of course I assumed it was the job agency telling me whether or not I’m getting the job! I answer the phone, and instantly know it’s not my friend Kara (who hooked me up with this interview) from the job agency… and am shocked to hear the woman at the other end of the phone say “Hi, Megan… I’m calling from MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California, and I am calling you because we’d like to invite you to come out to California in 2 weeks to interview for the position as our Concert Hall Manager!”….. Uhhhh WHAT?! Haha… I had applied for this job almost 2 months ago was under the impression they either already found someone or I wasn’t a candidate they were interested in, since I hadn’t heard from them. In fact, I had pretty much completely forgotten about the opportunity all together, assuming I wouldn’t have even a chance to interview for it! So, I’m pretty sure the first words out of my mouth weren’t even words, but rather “uh… wha…uh… are you… huh?!” She could tell I was shocked, so I explained that I had just interviewed for another job that morning and she was like “oh wow, well… are you still interested in this job?” and of course I was, so I told her that I just wasn’t sure what was happening with the job I had interviewed for and wondered if I could call her back today or tomorrow. She said that was fine, but allowed me to go ahead and select an interview time just in case. Since I am one of the only out-of-state applicants, I was the very first applicant she called to make sure I could select an interview time that would work well for me and give me enough time to purchase a decently priced plane ticket.
Ok, so… Intellitek chose another guy over me for the outside sales job and he hasn’t declined or accepted yet (at least the last I heard)… but I have decided to decline for now and say that maybe in 4-5 months if I haven’t gotten this job in California, I might be interested in joining his sales team if he is looking to hire again… but for now I just HAVE to give this job in California a chance! I mean, I DID after all go to school for music business…. And this sounds like a job I could be really good at and really love!
So for those curious to know what exactly a Concert Hall Manager does, below is the job description for what I will be interviewing for. My interview is on Monday, September 13th, at 10:30 a.m. (California time) (1:30 p.m. Indiana/east coast)…. Please be praying for me as I prepare to fly out there, and during the interview process that I would just be able to represent myself well, and accurately, to the committee I will be interviewing with. The initial interview is a 2 hour interview… the first 10 minutes I am given a piece of paper with the questions I will be asked on it so that I can briefly prepare myself and think about what I will say. The next 40-45 minutes I will be sitting in a room with a committee of 7 people who will be conducting the interview questions. Then, I will be taken to a room with 2 computers – a Mac and a PC (my choice of which to use), and I will be asked to complete a task using the software provided on the computers. I won’t know in advance what task they will be asking me to do, but I am guessing it will be some sort of poster/flyer design assignment, writing a professional letter or e-mail, or creating a spreadsheet of some sort…. Or all of the above! Again, I’d greatly appreciate your prayers – this is a really exciting opportunity for me and I feel so blessed to even have the opportunity to interview for it!
Thanks again for reading this and for keeping me in your prayers. Below is the job description if you want to read it!
- Megan
http://www.miracosta.edu/
INSTRUCTIONAL ASSOCIATE – MUSIC
Concert Hall Manager
POSITION AVAILABLE:
One regular position, 40 hours per week, 11 months per year (August through June) on the main Oceanside campus. Work schedule will include nights and weekends as needed. The person selected for this position will be subject to assignment to any district facility during any hours of operation.
BASIC FUNCTION:
Perform prescribed duties of a House Manager for musical performances and college presentations in the Concert Hall with responsibility for audience safety and smooth logistical operations in accordance with the Civic Center Use policies and procedures. Under the direction of the Performing Arts department chair and Music discipline lead faculty, perform prescribed duties of an Instructional Associate such as assist in rehearsal, pre/post production, and strike needs; prepare and process purchase orders for production and classroom related supplies; prepare and process personnel requisitions; and monitor Music discipline budget.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
(E) = essential job functions
1) For the Concert Hall, maintain the reservation calendar, and receive and process usage requests in accordance with the Civic Center Use policies and procedures. Open, close, and secure the Concert Hall. (E)
2) Maintain Concert Hall lobby according to professional and presentable standards, and coordinate lobby displays as requested.
3) Update announcements on Concert Hall marquee. Create posters, flyers, and programs for musical performances, productions, and curricular programs, as directed by discipline lead or department chair. (E)
4) Communicate with various college departments for needs related to events in the Concert Hall including: facilities department about equipment requests, set-up, custodial services; Media Services about media requests; and college food services or other college departments about special requests for performances, presentations, or receptions. (E)
5) Train ushers in up-to-date safety standards.
6) Participate in hiring campus aides and independent contractors, as directed by department chair or discipline lead.
7) Provide information to students on learning resources and support services available to them. Assist instructors, staff, and students in the use of a variety of equipment, materials and supplies in an instructional laboratory/studio setting. Monitor students in class work procedures; demonstrate safety and emergency procedures in class and studio situations; assure security of studio equipment, computers, and software. (E)
8) Assist with purchases and other expenditures needed for musical productions and performances; maintain records and prepare related reports for these purchases. (E)
9) Assist with ordering, receiving, cataloging and storing instructional supplies, materials, and equipment; direct and participate in inventory of equipment and materials assuring that adequate quantities are available for instructional use; mark equipment with approved identification. (E)
10) Facilitate pre- and post-production needs for rehearsals and performances, including strike. (E)
11) Work with faculty to set up a schedule for studio lab time for courses in recording arts and sound reinforcement; maintain appropriate records. (E)
12) Assist in organizing and maintaining learning environments in a safe, clean, and orderly condition; make minor repairs and adjustments to equipment, as needed.
13) Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
1) College-level subject matter in music performance, sound reinforcement, and recording arts. 2) Instructional and tutorial techniques. 3) Computer software such as Microsoft Office and design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. 4) Online research techniques. 5) Basic reference materials and effective study techniques. 6) Tools, machines, and equipment used in music performance, sound reinforcement, and recording arts. 7) Recordkeeping techniques. 8) Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. 9) Proper methods of storing musical equipment, materials, and supplies. 10) Health and safety regulations and practices. 11) Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. 12) Technical aspects of sound reinforcement and recording arts. 13) Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
ABILITY TO:
1) Perform at a college graduate level or experiential equivalent in performance, sound reinforcement, or recording arts. 2) Instruct or tutor students effectively. 3) Set up, design, and operate assigned departmental equipment with skill. 4) Read, understand, interpret, and apply department or college rules, policies, and technical materials relating to assigned responsibilities. 5) Plan, schedule, train, and review the work of student workers. 6) Use a variety of audio-visual equipment and materials. 7) Generate enthusiasm for learning. 8) Provide excellent customer service. 9) Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. 10) Exhibit excellent interpersonal communication skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. 11) Assess student achievement. 12) Provide instructional assistance and technical advice to students on the availability and uses of instructional materials and equipment. 13) Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 14) Design and produce promotional materials, programs, and multi-media materials. 15) Operate a variety of equipment related to sound reinforcement and recording arts, including specialized and highly technical equipment and software. 16) Analyze instructional situations and customer service situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
1) Experience in recording arts, sound reinforcement, and musical performance productions.
2) Experience in house managing a facility for performing arts.
3) Experience in creating promotional flyers, posters, and performance programs using computer design software programs.
4) Experience in providing instructional support for music courses, departments, or programs.
5) Experience in providing concert support.
6) Evidence of strong organizational skills, written communication skills, detail orientation, and interpersonal skills.
7) Experience in customer service and dealing effectively with the general public.
8) Experience in working effectively on a variety of tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.
