By Dan Hughes, A-V Services Inc.
After more than twenty years working inside Fortune 500 organizations across both the UK and the US, I’ve come to appreciate a truth that most people never see: there is a silent industry powering nearly every moment of modern business.
- Every board meeting.
- Every global town hall.
- Every hybrid collaboration session.
- Every high-stakes/CEO/VIP event.
Behind all of it is Workplace Technology, the intersection of AV and IT, and it has quietly become one of the most essential, fastest-growing, and career rewarding paths globally.
Yet if you scan the curriculum of top universities, this field is almost entirely missing. We graduate hundreds of thousandsof students in film, TV, computer science, and business, but very few programs teach practical, human-centered technology skills that make global communication possible.
Across both sides of the Atlantic, the pattern is identical:
Demand for AV/IT talent is skyrocketing, but the supply of trained professionals hasn’t caught up.
For anyone early in their career, considering a pivot, or looking to upskill to seek new roles, this gap represents a rare opportunity – a field where you can build a stable, rewarding, future-proof career without waiting for a university to validate it.
Below is a roadmap for anyone ready to enter the world of AV/IT Workplace Technology.
1. START WITH THE FOUNDATION: CTS CERTIFICATION
The AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) is the industry’s gold standard. Think of it as the AV equivalent of a bar exam. It validates your understanding of system design, signal flow, and the fundamentals that underpin every AV environment.
A great starting point is the CTS Exam Guide (Third Edition). Earning this certification immediately signals credibility to employers. Even purchasing, studying and mentioning it on your resume is helpful indicator to AV companies that you are series about this field.
2. LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF MODERN AV: DANTE
Today’s AV systems run on the network. That means audio is no longer just cables, it’s packets.
Audinate’s Dante Level 1, 2, and 3 certifications (all free online and recently refreshed) teach you how digital audio moves across networks. Dante has become the de-facto standard in corporate, entertainment, and event environments, making it one of the most valuable skills you can acquire early.
3. MASTER THE CORE ECOSYSTEMS: Q-SYS AND MICROSOFT TEAMS
If CTS is the foundation and Dante is the language, then Q-SYS and Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) are the ecosystems where everything often comes together.
These platforms power the majority of meeting rooms, event spaces, and hybrid collaboration environments in modern organizations. Understanding how they work gives you insight into how companies communicate every day and makes you immediately more employable. Q-SYS offers free online 101 and Level 1 courses. So, take them and add these to your resume. MS Teams Cert can be obtained at a cost, but just having knowledge is often good enough.
4. BUILD A PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE THAT WORKS FOR YOU
In AV/IT, your reputation travels fast, and often through LinkedIn.
Create a profile that highlights your certifications, hands-on experience, and interests. Follow integrators, manufacturers, and workplace-technology leaders. The industry is relationship-driven, and visibility often leads to opportunities you won’t find on job boards.
5. SPRINT THROUGH THE FUNDAMENTALS WITH LINKEDIN LEARNING
If you want to accelerate your learning curve, take advantage of a LinkedIn Learning free trial and binge courses on:
- Signal flow
- IT networking
- Project management
- Customer service skills along with communication skills (often in VIP settings)
- Delegation and time management
These skills separate technicians who can “do the job” from professionals who can grow into leadership roles.
6. COMMUNICATE LIKE A PROFESSIONAL
Small details matter. Add a clean email signature with your name, phone number, and LinkedIn profile link. It signals professionalism and makes it easy for employers to follow up.
7. CLOSE THE DEAL IN THE INTERVIEW
Your resume gets you the interview, your presentation gets you the offer.
Dress for the role you want. Choose a clean, intentional background. Avoid taking interviews from your car or a cluttered space. These small signals tell employers you’re serious, prepared, and ready to represent their brand (remember, you could be working one day with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, so it all starts with interview presentation and confidence).
A CAREER YOU CAN BUILD TODAY
Workplace Technology is one of the rare fields where curiosity, self-motivation, and hands-on learning matter more than formal degrees. If you’re looking for a career that is high-demand, future-proof, and genuinely impactful, AV/IT offers a path you can start building today, one certification, one skill, one opportunity at a time.
