Mixing up a good career
72% of all UK businesses currently reply on people with STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and it’s estimated that one in five new UK jobs will be science related by 2022.
As we are in British Science Week (10-19 March 2017), dubbing technician at Rondo Media in Caernarfon, Non Llywelyn, explains the relevance of science for her chosen career.
“As a dubbing mixer, I’m responsible for managing the sound quality on TV programmes once they have been edited. Dayto- day I work in a dubbing suite where I edit sound, record voiceovers, add music and sound effects, and create the final mixed soundtrack. I’m also given the freedom to use my skills to compose and record original music.
“My job requires a thorough understanding of the science of sound, especially elements such as frequency, timbre and loudness. It’s important to understand the way the ear perceives sound and also how human vocal chords work. Nowadays, people watch film footage across a variety of devices such as tablets and mobile phones as well as laptops and TVs and speakers and therefore a good understanding of device technology is needed. I use a mixing desk and software to adjust frequency, level and many other characteristics of sound to improve its clarity and enhance the overall listening experience for our viewers.
“I remember covering some of these topics in science at school, and found it really interesting, but didn’t necessarily link it to a career at the time. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to develop my science and technology skills in my role as a dubbing mixer. I love my job, mostly because it combines my passion for music with my interest in technology. Being encouraged to do well at STEM subjects in school has definitely helped me get to where I am today. ”
The Welsh Government ‘Focus on Science’ campaign aims to highlight the importance of science as a subject and as a route to a future career for young people in Wales.