Technology trainers and specialists work with colleagues and clients to help them become proficient using music or sound technology products, and demonstrate the capabilities of these products at industry events.

What Does a Technology Trainer/Specialist Do?

Technology trainers and specialists help customers and colleagues—such as sales associates—learn to use a company's instruments, tools, and other music-related products. One specific variety of technology specialist is the product representative: a professional musician with excellent chops who demonstrates the full capabilities of a musical product in videos and trade-show demonstrations. 

Work Life Balance

The work life of a technology trainer varies based on their employers and clients. Some work standard office hours behind a desk, responding to product-related queries via email. Others travel across the country giving demonstrations to school departments, musicians, and music stores, which often means working evenings and weekends.

Working as a product representative is usually a part-time gig for a professional musician. This typically involves recording videos that demonstrate the product, as well as demoing the product live at industry events and trade shows such as NAMM.

Community

Technology specialists are technology-savvy educators who love nothing more than to dive into a software program and learn every inch of its capabilities. They're the type of people who fix everyone else's computer, or teach them how to fix their own. An interest in education is essential, as well as the patience necessary to see it through.

For product representatives, perhaps the most important qualities are curiousness, creativity, and a sense of exploration. Creators of digital instruments and musical tools want to demonstrate the capabilities of their tools in a highly musical context. Ideally, they want musicians who are genuinely excited about the tools, using them to do things that would be impossible otherwise.

Finding Work

Technology trainers and product representatives work for a wide variety of companies, including those that sell products like music editing software, music notation software, music production software, electronic instruments (including both controllers and synthesizers), and musical equipment (e.g. amps and mics), as well as for online schools and certification programs. 

Professional Skills

• Computer science
• Music software (notation, editing, production, and sound synthesis)
• High-level instrumental chops
• Creativity and innovation
• Education (teaching classes and individual tutoring)
• Written and verbal communication
• Patience 

Interpersonal Skills

Technology specialists are technology-savvy educators who love nothing more than to dive into a software program and learn every inch of its capabilities. They're the type of people who fix everyone else's computer, or teach them how to fix their own. An interest in education is essential, as well as the patience necessary to see it through.

For product representatives, perhaps the most important qualities are curiousness, creativity, and a sense of exploration. Creators of digital instruments and musical tools want to demonstrate the capabilities of their tools in a highly musical context. Ideally, they want musicians who are genuinely excited about the tools, using them to do things that would be impossible otherwise.

Industries

• Film, Video, and Television
• Technology
• Video Games
• Advertising
• Artist Services
• Music and Audio Tools
• Radio and Streaming Music
• Recording Industry
• Health and Wellness
• Theater
• Live Music
• Opera
• Dance
• Orchestra, Chorus, and Band
• Education
• Arts Administration
• Journalism
• Church and Worship

Top US Cities for This Role

• Los Angeles
• San Francisco Bay Area
• New York City
• Boston
• Nashville