What do you know about audio engineering that you can tell me?

Former audio engineering student and digital audio enthusiast here, I can give you my thoughts if you’d like.

Don’t do it.

I love the concept of audio engineering, I have written paragraphs about it here and elsewhere. I love working with audio, recording, music, software you work with, and the hardware you learn to use. It’s all fantastic stuff, and the people involved are generally pretty nice (minus the musicians). What I don’t love is shoehorning yourself into an incredibly specific degree, with little to no job prospects available without heavy networking. It’s not to say it’s not a rewarding job, everybody I have spoken to in the field loves it, but the concept of an audio engineering degree just seems silly to me, as it is essentially even less useful than a music degree, and is putting you directly into a field that has a) very few entry level job possibilities available, b) requires strong communication and computer skills over the skills taught in school, and c) is frankly full of douchebags (musicians), and good old boys (fellow engineers) who won’t take your degree seriously. Add to that the schools cost an arm and a leg, and it becomes even less attractive IMO.

Before you say anything, yes, I am slightly jaded. My advice to you, though, as I assume you’re either a community college or high school student, is go with a generic or general degree (even if it’s a music degree!), and do as much as you can with audio on the side. Learn Pro Tools, Ableton, Cubase, Reason, every DAW you can get your hands on, record for your friends, write your own music, and get as much as you can under your belt. Volunteer at a recording studio, ask for a job there, do whatever. Do it the old fashioned way, most people in the field would be happy to help. Then, go work an entry level job in your field of choice, and if you can find audio work on the side, fantastic. If you can’t, try harder, network more, or just enjoy it all by your lonesome or with friends. You just might enjoy it more.

Go buy yourself an old Oscilloscope. You can find them at used electronics shops. You will learn more playing with that than reading books.

I suggest you find a recording studio where you live and make an appointment to talk to one or more of their engineers. Most of these guys (I’ve never worked with a woman engineer) love to talk about the business. If you lived where I do, I’d send you to a studio I work with a lot.

I have a friend who did this, he works in a deli now. First off, it’s not engineering it’s a technology program. If you intend to run your own recording studio it’s a great way to learn how it all works. The equipment is a significant investment and the technology changes rapidly. The people I know running studios did not go to school for it. Ask most folks working at guitar center and many will tell you they went through one of those programs. If you are serious about it I would recommend also getting an electronics technology degree of some kind in addition to learning audio. You’ll be better off because you will have a marketable skill in other areas but you will actually understand the equipment better and be able to quickly find problems in the studio. I used to play in rock bands and have seen those audio guys spend hours looking for a hum or buzz. Time is money in one of those places.

My brother got his degree in audio engineering and is currently starting the optional fifth year of his program to get his Masters. He loves the work and had no problem getting excellent, well-paying internships for the past two summers. Prior to that it was a bit rough, and he did not like some of the people he worked with.

He has a high aptitude for math, but nothing out of this world like my actuary buddy’s mad skills. I think most average mathematicians could probably train themselves up to my brother’s level. I’d say an aptitude for computers is just as important. He also has a love for music and a love of gadgetry. His goal is to design speakers when he finishes his degree.

I think the most fantastic advice you’ve received is from @DeanV.
It’s realistic and helpful—and mirrors what you’ll find in advice from others in the industry..like here.

I was in a long-term relationship with a guy who worked very successfully as a “Sound Tech” (this is what the bands call their audio engineer, or anyone who can touch the sound boards) and then road manager for some very big name acts. (Major label “alternative” music superstars in early-to-mid 1990s.)
He got lucky and had a good run for about 10 years – and now, if you go to Community College in a particular city in the U.S. he’d likely be one of your instructors as he’s teaching (and doing carpentry) to make a living now.

He first got a 4-year degree at a good university first (because you’ll need/want business skills), then went to a prestigious audio engineering program and then started working in bars / small venues in a city with a good-sized music scene. His parents were relatively wealthy and apparently willing to support him financially into his late twenties—because that’s how long it took for him to finish both his B.A. and audio engineering classes and get established.

And despite a lot of success for a time and despite plenty of audio engineering skills…he’s now supporting himself as a carpenter.

Like Dean points out and like many others will point out – skill in audio engineering is something that can be somewhat self-taught and needs to be developed on your own—but isn’t likely to provide a good stable living unless you are extremely lucky or good at building a network.
You’re better off having a skill or trade that you can make a living from – and do the sound / audio engineering on the side.