What is sound engineering, and how to become one?

Justin, I am happy that you have an interest and you are trying to make it become real. However, I don't recommend this career. With 1% expected growth rate finding a job would be challenging to say the least. Check the link below for more information.

http://learn.org/articles/Audio_Engineering_Become_an_Audio_Engineer_in_5_Steps.html

Step 1: Research Audio Engineering Duties and Education

Audio engineers, also known as sound engineers, are responsible for producing quality sound at live performances, in recording studios and through other mediums such as radio and podcasts. As an audio engineer one of your main duties might be balancing the sound of all audio equipment plugged in during a performance, such as microphones, amplifiers, speakers and PA systems. As an audio engineer, you must be technically capable with both analog and digital equipment and must work with an extreme level of precision. To become a professional, you'll usually first need to attain an associate's or bachelor's degree in the field.

Step 2: Prepare For an Audio Engineering Education in High School

According to College Board, if you want to pursue a career in audio engineering you should take courses in electronics, computers and physics while in high school (www.collegeboard.org). You might also consider gaining experience with your school's music or theater department. You can work behind the scenes on sound, video or lighting.

Step 3: Earn an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

As an aspiring audio engineer, you should enroll in an associate's or bachelor's degree program in audio engineering or production. A few subjects that you can expect to learn about include connecting cables, operating a mixing board, mixing music and sound effects, placing microphones, troubleshooting sound problems and mastering techniques. Because so much sound design is created digitally using computers, you'll also need to master various audio software programs such as Pro Tools and Logic.

Step 4: Complete an Internship

As a future audio engineer, you can learn more about audio engineering concepts while working for free at a recording studio, music venue or a radio station. The Audio Engineering Society suggests that students complete an internship or apprenticeship to gain hands-on experience, which will make them more marketable to potential employers (www.aes.org). This can sometimes be accomplished through placement programs at various colleges, universities and technical schools you may end up attending for your degree.

Step 5: Find a Job as an Audio Engineer

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as an audio engineer you should be able to find jobs at various places such as recording studios, sporting venues, theaters, movie sets and music video shoots (www.bls.gov). However, the BLS also stated that between May 2012 and May 2022, the number of jobs available in the field for sound engineering technicians is predicted to increase by only one percent. When it comes time to seek employment, try looking through the job listings or utilizing the networking functions of organizations such as the Audio Engineering Society and the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services.

I learned sound engineering hands on because thats my preferred my to learn. I do recommend taking some sound engineering courses though, possibly community college to curb your expenses.

These schools are great as well:

https://www.berklee.edu

http://www.mi.edu

If you have an ear for what you are listening too, this will be a great career for you. I recommend testing some music engineering/production software, specifically Apple Logic Pro X. You can visit any Apple Retail store to demo the software and play around with test projects.

Wish you the best of luck!