Career Path Of A Broadcast Engineer At NPR
Christian's career in broadcast engineering began in the military, where early experience with "satellite navigation systems as well as broadcast tools" laid the groundwork for roles at a college radio station and a music conservatory. This led to a national career as a broadcast integrator, building stations for prominent networks like iHeartRadio across the US, culminating in Christian's current position as head of West Coast distribution at NPR, ensuring content reaches listeners across various platforms.
Broadcast Engineering, Radio Distribution, Networking, Military Experience, Career Progression
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christian Mulvany
Broadcast Engineer
NPR
Columbia College Chicago 2015
UCLA - Fully Employed MBA
Entertainment Management
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Military experience provided foundational skills in satellite navigation and broadcast tools.
2. Early career involved roles such as chief recording engineer and broadcast integrator, gaining hands-on experience in various settings and locations.
3. Current role at NPR involves overseeing West Coast distribution of podcasts and radio programs across multiple platforms, showcasing career progression and responsibility.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
My career in radio distribution and networking actually started before college, during my time in the military. That's where I learned how to get hands-on with satellite navigation systems and broadcast tools. In college, this translated into me being able to provide services for my college radio station and work at the facility.
After college, I applied for my first role as the chief recording engineer at a music conservatory in northern Michigan called Interlochen Center for the Arts. That school had a public broadcasting arm associated with its conservatory. It was my responsibility to ensure all listeners throughout Northern Michigan could hear the orchestral performances of the students.
After my job in northern Michigan, I moved to Chicago where I became a broadcast integrator. I traveled the country building radio stations for prominent radio programs, including La Mega in New York City. I worked in Seattle on iheartradio's radio stations and have done projects in Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
After my time as an integrator, I moved to Los Angeles and applied for a role at NPR. I am now the head of the West Coast division's distribution component. I ensure all our podcasts, radio platforms, and radio programs reach our listeners, whether via FM transmission, Spotify, Apple Music, or any other listening platform.
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