Commercial Integrator + Security Sales September 2024 - 37

perceptions. Misconceptions that might
prevail in popular culture gave way to a
recognition of its broader applications.
AV TECHNICIAN DEMOGRAPHICS AND STATISTICS
Gender Ratio
NextLVL Learning is Born
That's the crucible from which NextLVL
Learning, Inc., a not-for-profi t organization,
was born.
Students oſt en arrive at college with
a clear idea of their career path. Unfortunately,
there's very little in the way of
an established AV track to guide their
thinking. That's something that NextLVL
Learning aims to change.
" To infl uence students' decisions
earlier, we need to reach them in middle
and high school, " Miller contends. Pace
University's AV Talent Summit last fall
highlighted this need. " The event was so
popular that it became standing room
only, and we had to bring in extra chairs, "
Miller says. " It was overwhelming in a
great way to see so many students genuinely
interested in AV. "
NextLVL Learning emerged parallel to
Chacko and Miller's eff orts at Pace University,
functioning as a separate entity
but rooted in similar values. NextLVL
Learning offi cially became a non-profi t
organization in October 2023, but the idea
has been around for much longer.
" The core idea behind NextLVL
Learning is to build on our AV foundation
on a broader scale through experiential
learning, " Chacko explains. " We believe in
learning by doing. We teach as adjunct faculty
alongside our full-time jobs, avoiding
traditional lecture styles and homework.
Instead, our fi nal exam is the hands-on AV
Olympics, refl ecting our commitment to
practical, engaging education. "
NextLVL Learning's Plans
One of NextLVL Learning's plans is to
bring at least fi ve students to InfoComm
2025 next year. According to Chacko,
" We're collaborating with AVIXA to select
students from various universities across
the U.S., aiming to cover all expenses
through sponsorships. Each student will
be paired with a mentor on the show
fl oor, whether they're scanning badges
or working at a booth. Mentors will guide
them through the event, and students
AV Technician Racial Demographics (approximate)
White 61.8%
Hispanic or Latino 16.5%
African American 10.0%
Asian 5.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native <1%
Unknown 6.2%
Male
90.5%
Female
9.5%
Average AV Technician Age
42.1
AV Technician Age Breakdown
Older than
40 years
54%
will present their experiences aſt erward.
The immersive experience will provide a
comprehensive introduction to AV. "
Mentor/mentee relationships will also
be a core component of the organization.
College students can partner with industry
mentors aligned with their career
goals - whether they hope to work in
sales, design, engineering, social media
or something else. Over the course of
the year, students and mentors will grow
together. To ensure maximum benefi t,
Chacko says, they may implement a
30 to
40 years
20 to
30 years
31% 16%
SOURCE: AV TECHNICIAN DEMOGRAPHICS AND STATISTICS [2024]: NUMBER OF AV TECHNICIANS IN THE US. ZIPPIA. (2024, JULY 30).
ZIPPIA.COM/AV-TECHNICIAN-JOBS/DEMOGRAPHICS.
badging or point system. For example,
students can earn badges by completing
tasks like attending InfoComm, doing
virtual presentations and fi nishing the
mentorship program. These badges
can be displayed on LinkedIn and other
professional platforms, eventually leading
to full NextLVL membership.
" Our goal is to show the younger generation
that AV extends beyond live events
and concerts. AV is more than a Taylor
Swiſt concert, " Chacko declares.
As the father of two young daughters,
September 2024 | Commercial Integrator+Security Sales & Integration
37

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