Join Solutions360 and Support the NSCA Ignite Initiative
Ignite is an initiative established by the NSCA Education Foundation.
The NSCA Ignite program is aimed at attracting and engaging the next generation of audiovisual technology professionals. There is a growing demand for additional talent in our industry, and Ignite’s main goal is to make sure that young people, just embarking on their careers, are aware that the AV industry is here, AND it’s a great place to work!
It is up to us to make the next generation aware of the opportunities that exist for audiovisual professionals, and the Ignite workforce development program is helping to make that happen.
The first internship program kicked off last year, and it was a big success. At the end of the summer, the Ignite team caught up with the AVI Systems intern crew to get their impressions. Watch the video to see two interns who participated in the program, share their experiences, talk about what they learned, and explain how their work will help our industry – and their careers.
Connor Gordon goes to school at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where he studies graphic design. “I am interested in all things art – I love to draw, and being a part of this internship I was able to do a lot of that, plus some actual design work,” said Connor.
“I actually got to design a comic book, which was an invitation for all of the sales representative to come to the national sales meeting,” says Connor. “So it was really neat to be able to actually use my skills and start to develop my portfolio through this experience.”
AVI Systems’ second intern, Marianna Deibler, goes to Ridgewater College in Hutchinson as an AV student.
“I went out on-site with the programmers, got to see a project from start to finish,” says Marianna. “How they have to troubleshoot after they upload it, make sure everything works, and how you can make certain pieces of equipment talk to other pieces of equipment – and it works altogether as one whole system. I’ve always found computers and electronics fascinating. You can do so much with them. I mean they are practically running the planet by now.”
Marianna’s impression of her Ignite internship is that the AV industry isn’t going anywhere, it’s only getting bigger.
Sparking this kind of enthusiasm is what drives Solutions360 to support the NSCA Ignite initiative.
The Drunk Unkle’s took the stage at InfoComm for their 14th annual NSCA Education Foundation’s charity concert, and this year marks the launch of the $100,000 NSCA Ignite Challenge. The funds raised will help support programs including the workforce development program. So, join the Ignite Challenge, and help us hit the $100,000 target. Through the NSCA Ignite Challenge, Shure will match manufacturer donations up to $25,000 and an anonymous integrator will match funds raised by other integrators up to $25,000.
Solutions360 became the first company to donate, with a $10,000 contribution to the manufacturers’ side. Then Lone Star Communications contributed $10,000 to the integrators’ side. But we aren’t all the way there yet – it’s up to you to push us over the finish line!
The total amount of $100,000 will go to the NSCA Ignite workforce development program, which will give more students like Connor and Marianna a chance to explore a career as an audiovisual professional.
