Hello,
I am looking for where and what I should do to become a systems integrator. I'm very interested in doing this as a job and was wandering what I need education or certification wise to become one.
Thank you!
I can't tell where you're from, but bear in mind that in many states being a Audio
System Integrator is licensed occupation, meaning you'll have to meet your state's licensing board requirements for financials, background and licensing (just like a plumber or electrician) as well as pass some tests proving your knowledge.
One of the comments above asked if you were interested in "commercial or theatrical" spaces; from a business/legal perspective, they're the same thing. A commercial space is any space open to the public (theaters, hotels/hotel rooms, restaurants, office meeting rooms,
etc.) whereas residential spaces are private homes. This matter because A) they're very different animals and B) some states have different requirements for working
in one sector versus the other.
Another poster mentioned
CTS -- yes, definitely a good step and then opens the door to the other two certifications, CTS-I (installation) and CTS-D (design).
A good A/V contractor needs to know a little
bit about a lot of stuff aside from audio: rigging, basic electrical theory, networking, proper cable installation practices as well as lots of personal certifications to be effective in the field (such as lift (fork-, scissor- and boom-) certifications, specialized tool training,
etc.). As such, your best bet is to get hired on with a firm that does quality work in the field you're interested in (i.e., don't go work for a rental/staging/production-for-hire firm if you're interested in permanent installation -- those are not the same industries at all). Depending on how much experience you already have, 3 - 5 years at a firm like Ford AV or AVI-SPL ought to do the trick. In addition to your trade craft, you will learn abut the design process, how the business works, the difference between bid work and deign-build work,
etc.
Good luck! mike