Behind the scenes of nearly every event on campus is the work of Student Association Tech Services, a group of students that provide sound, light and other technical aspects of putting on a successful event.
The SA Tech crew works different events in the KnightSpot, Union Ballroom and Wadsworth Auditorium for any student organization that requests their help throughout the year, most notably the large-scale concerts held by Activities Commission each semester.
The position is ideal for students looking to make money outside of library or food-service positions.
"As a freshman, I was interested in doing a job that was different from just standing behind a library desk," said Scheduling Tech Director Danielle Forrest, a junior.
Tech services holds training sessions for new employees each semester, but according to Forrest, "most of the learning process entails on-the-job experience, where other students teach you while you're working."
Though no technical experience is necessary, some students were interested in the field prior to college.
"I was the house soundman for a place during high school," said Maintenance Tech Director Jake Fine, a junior. "I enjoyed playing with lights and things like that, so when I saw the ad here, I thought I'd just keep doing it."
Fine's experiences here inspired him to enroll in technical theater classes, such as lighting design, and he now works many events in the theaters in Brodie Hall in addition to his SA Tech jobs. Because of his lighting work, Fine was also able to do the lighting for both the recent Ben Folds and Jack's Mannequin concerts.
The job, especially around concert time, entails long hours.
"For the concert, we get to Kuhl Gym at 8 a.m., and the gym is empty," explained Fine. "We leave at 2 a.m., and the gym is empty. In between, we set up and take down everything." Despite this, both Fine and Forrest agree that the job is worth the effort.
"The long hours are absolutely worth it," said Forrest. "There's such a sense of accomplishment when you realize what you did."
Fine agreed, saying, "Most people will go to a show, stand in line, get in and see the stage we built and the equipment we hooked up without thinking about what went into that."
This lack of recognition, however, is a marker of a behind-the-scenes job well done.
"The point of SA Tech is that we're invisible," said Forrest. "If we get done with an event and no one knows we were there, then it's a success."