It has been four months since I have graduated from PAVI with my honours diploma. As I look back on myself over a year ago, I can't help but think about how much I didn't know. The Pacific Audio Visual Institute was the perfect place to quench my thirst for knowledge.

When I attended PAVI, I had already acquired a small amount of experience. I finished my first year of music school, where they taught a single course in audio engineering (Pro Tools specifically). I was hooked! I decided that if this is what I wanted to seriously pursue, then I needed to make a change and focus my mind and ears on a less casual engineering course load. I heard that Vancouver was one of the hotspots in Canada for the music industry. I needed to find a school that was right for me and my direction.

After hours upon hours of research into the many recording schools in the city, I was set on PAVI. The facilities immediately impressed me, so I decided to apply. From the very beginning the school was helpful in giving me all the information and advice I needed, and through the application process I was never lost. Compared to the hoops I had to jump through at my previous school, the application process was very simple and straightforward. Before I knew it, I was enrolled and I needed to pack my bags for the upcoming fall semester.

What struck me immediately at PAVI was the fact that all three semesters were mingled together in the classroom. I thought it was an interesting idea. Actually, as I found out, it's an brilliant idea. It allows students to easily approach others with more experience, without intimidation. Thus making every fellow student an educator for the rest. It provides opportunities to create camaraderie and networking with your soon-to-be professional colleagues. Because of the respect I was shown as a new student, I in turn showed the same respect and helpfulness to every new semester of students as they came.

I do love a good challenge and the classes indeed provide this. Everything I learnt from class had a definite clear purpose. But I never once felt overwhelmed or lost in the material, and this was due to the enthusiasm of the excellent instructors. They provided answers to every question I had, in and outside of class. I felt as though they all went above and beyond because they actually cared about my education and success in this competitive industry. In fact I still feel comfortable talking to them if I need advice or have difficult questions, even though I am out of school.

Most importantly though, the greatest part of PAVI is the time spent outside of class booking hours in the studio facilities readily available to us. Blue Wave has two excellent studios with top of the line gear. When I was attending, it was also made available 24/7! Along with the other students, I would book studio time in tandem and we'd take part in the most significant part of our education as a team. We'd learn by doing, jumping at any opportunity to apply what we've recently learned in class. A very important aspect to engineering that we learned this way was troubleshooting. What I mean by this is if something is going wrong (which things inevitably do for whatever reason) we would need to find the source of problem and rectify it in a timely manner. It was nearly always due to human error. Of course now these mistakes seem obvious to me, but that's only because I've already experienced them. Thanks to PAVI, I can now think on my feet in tough situations. I not only understand how to operate the gear around me, but I also understand why it works. This is a priceless skill to have, especially in a professional setting.

At my time here, I worked on great projects and started to practically live in the studio. And I loved every minute of it, every sleep deprived minute! I strongly feel that this is the type of school where you really get what you put in. If you have the drive, you can soak up knowledge like a sponge. There is no shortage of extra curricular opportunities arising through this school. While attending, I was able to intern at Blue Wave and I gained experience in an entry level recording studio position. It was a great way to build up material for a practical resume, and it was even fun! As a student, I was encouraged to take part in volunteer opportunities for things outside of PAVI and Blue Wave as well. I would highly recommend new students attending this school to volunteer for everything! It is the best way to make contacts in the industry, and you will be surprised at how for you can get just by being a reliable volunteer. You will gain experience, and when it comes down to it, that is the most important thing you can have.

When I graduated, the worry on every student's mind was having to find a job in the industry. But I found myself in a position where I already had a job! I somehow managed to balance the end of semester final projects and exams, interning at Blue Wave, attend my own and others' studio sessions, and volunteering at a well known Vancouver recording studio as a runner (an opportunity that I found out about through PAVI, of course!). Needless to say coffee was very integral in this balancing act. But I felt prepared to take everything head on. PAVI had sculpted me into a determined audio engineer!

Since graduation I have been able to keep very busy in my own endeavours and working for others. I still work for that same studio as a runner. I occasionally work at a PA rental and live sound company helping out with live shows. Recently I also have been hired as an assistant engineer at a new studio in downtown Vancouver (in fact I was hired along with another PAVI graduate and friend by coincidence). I have also done sound design and composition on a handful of short films, and I've very recently began working with a pop vocalist on their first album.

PAVI has prepared and laid the foundation in my career. I will always have a fond place in my heart for the facilities I had access to (I still absolutely adore the API console in Studio A), and the instructors that mentored me. It has nurtured my drive for success and my passion. In my opinion, attending this school is the best step forward you can take in creating an audio engineering career for yourself.

Sincerely,
Jesse Mrau