[BC] Ed Buterbaugh from CKLW and WJR - old engineers

[Jeff Johnson]

I am posting this to the list as it applies more broadly than applicability 
to only one person. True, moving to another city is always an option, but 
it should not be a necessity to find a decent position in one's profession. 
In the instances of all three of us formerly of X-Star, neither Jay nor I 
could move due to deep family and property ownership ties. In an industry 
found in every community of almost any size as broadcast is, there are 
amazingly few opportunities. Ours is a limited, undercompensated 
profession. This is due in large part, I feel, to the reliable nature of 
the equipment we manage. Top managers, and those are rarely us, see 
engineering as largely a black box niche. They are largely correct. To have 
to move every time there is a management or ownership shakeup does not make 
a profession desirable. That - a lack of job security - coupled with 
commonly bad compensation and working conditions is driving a good number 
of us to other technical professions. It is attracting few, even those who 
want to work in broadcast.

I cited Dave's experience as an example I am familiar with. There were no 
invitations to a good broadcast position in two large markets. He ended up 
working with rocket borne space exploration equipment. What a better 
environment that is for us true geeks!

Jeff.Johnson at rfproof.com

At 08:02 AM 9/4/2008, Mike McCarthy wrote:

>HOWEVER with all due respect Jeff, when I spoke with Dave, he declined to 
>relocate to a MUCH larger market and likely a much higher compensation 
>package. I think Dave could have and could still find a successful 
>position in the business most anywhere if he was willing to relocate to 
>that market, including ours.
>
>MM