Victor Saavedra ’21, an audio engineering technology major, had a change of heart when he realized he wanted to pursue his true passion in audio as a career. As an international student, he moved to the United States from Colombia in 2008. He attended a technical high school and learned metal working. After graduation, he had a few jobs and attended community college, but realized he did not like where his life was going. Once he discovered the University of Hartford and its audio engineering technology program, he realized he could pursue his true passion as a career.
Victor discovered the University of Hartford through researching audio programs in Connecticut. Choosing to attend UHart was an easy decision for him because he was impressed by how the program’s curriculum was the only one that taught students about the technology behind music.
As an international student, Victor applauds UHart for embracing diversity. “At no point did I feel discriminated for my background or personal beliefs,” he says. “I was always encouraged and given the opportunity to stand out as a student and an individual. I have grown into the best version of myself because of the community that UHart has.”
Victor finds his experience at UHart to be truly fulfilling. He says he has learned how to follow a path that leads him to growth and happiness. His academics have taught him how to process new information, while the community has helped him embrace the differences in other people. He also values the strong connections he has made with his faculty and staff in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA).
Assistant Professor David Shuman (who also serves as program director for the audio engineering technology program), Assistant Professor Tim Britt, and Applied Assistant Professor Mike deAlmeida encouraged Victor from day one to be enthusiastic about what he was learning and have fun while doing so. Victor also credits many of his adjunct faculty including Joseph Del Vicario, George Lyman, Dominick Lauria, Gordon Snyder, and Brian Romano for showing him a passion for the subjects, which just made him like his major even more. Finally, Victor says the CETA staff have always been supportive. “I hit a big bump on the road my sophomore year,” he explains. “During that difficult time, the staff like Laura Heemskerk and Geralyn Merrill were always there for me when I needed a little push to keep me on track. It has been a blessing to have been led by a supportive staff that understood that I was more than just a student.”
Victor realizes how far he has come since enrolling as a student at UHart. Before starting at the University, he worked as a steel worker. He says he had no knowledge of how intuitive the audio and engineering world was. Along with his faculty and classes, being involved has made him even more excited to work in the audio industry. In his first year, Victor joined the UHart Audio Engineering Society chapter, where he was able to connect with mentors from industry, such as Chris Tsanjoures from SMAART and Kevin Pacheco from Vivid Events, whom he got to work for.
Over these past few years, Victor says he has acquired significant skills that will certainly help him in the future. “I have learned how to be an active student,” he says, “and my people skills have also improved in terms of how to talk to professionals and be a part of functioning team.”
Victor Saavedra '21, Audio Engineering TechnologyThere is truly no other University that has such a strong audio major than UHart. I chose the audio engineering technology program because it gave me an outlet to explore my creative side while also learning the science of what it takes to make outstanding music. It also offers an extensive knowledge in all the fundamentals of audio, such as electronics, mixing, and acoustics