Would I Work For An Architectural Firm, Or Some Other Organization?

Q: I am currently a junior in physics at Seattle University, and I'm starting to think about career choices. I am quite interested in theatre. I was thinking that becoming a acoustical engineer was an interesting idea, designing buildings and rooms with excellent acoustics, but I must admit that I never heard of anyone who does this. Where would I learn the finer points of sound, and the theories behind what makes a room sound good. Would I work for an architectural firm, or some other organization? Can people to talk to, or good links?

A: -Ther are many individuals and firms doing what you are interested in. Check the website for the National Council of Acoustical Consultants. www.ncac.com for addditional information and to find a firm near you. One that comes to mind in you area is Jerry Lilly. If you are looking for

guidance and a mentor in acoustics you do NOT want an architectural firm. -I think that there are materials available at the Acoustical Society of America website, http://asa.aip.org. You can also join, _for_free_, the local chapter in Seattle. Click on the "Local Chapters" button and then on the hypertext "Northwest Chapter". If you are potentially interested in underwater acoustics, you might try contacting someone at the Applied Physics Lab of University of Washtington, which is in Seattle. There are also other jobs in acoustics, like audio engineering or audiology or medical ultrasound or architectural acoustics, although I don't know much about them.