At TSI Global, we believe the future of the AV industry depends on nurturing young talent and giving them opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact. This spring, we had the pleasure of hosting Liam Hayes, a senior at Lindbergh High School, through his school’s CAPS program, a unique initiative that allows students to spend part of their day gaining hands-on experience with local businesses. Through this internship, TSI is able to help shape the next generation of Audio-Visual Engineers.
From Classroom Curiosity to Career Exploration
Liam’s interest in audio engineering started in his school’s theater program, where he discovered the thrill of shaping sound and watching his input transform a performance. That early spark of curiosity found a perfect outlet at TSI Global. During his time with us, Liam shadowed engineers across multiple projects, visiting major clients including Anheuser-Busch and Ameren. He saw firsthand how our team designs, implements, and commissions world-class audio-visual systems, solving complex challenges along the way.
“It was amazing to watch the engineers solve problems on-site and see the systems come to life,” Liam shared. “It gave me a real understanding of what audio engineering looks like in the real world.”
Learning the Full Lifecycle of AV Projects
Beyond job sites, Liam also spent time in our office with various teams, from CAD design to pre-sales engineering, gaining insight into the entire lifecycle of a project. He was impressed by how each department contributes its expertise while working together as a team to deliver outstanding results for our clients.
“My time at TSI really helped me understand the direction I want to take with my career,” Liam said. “Everyone here was willing to explain things and answer my questions, and that made a huge difference in how much I learned.”
Hands-On Experience with Commissioning and Engineering
Liam’s favorite experiences were with our commissioning engineering team, where he got to see the final stages of AV projects come together. “I could definitely see myself doing that kind of work in the future,” he noted. The slower-paced, collaborative environment at TSI gave him the chance to focus on learning and building skills, a contrast to the fast-paced live sound work he had previously experienced.
As he considers colleges this fall, Liam reflects on how his internship has shaped his career path. “TSI opened my eyes to opportunities in audio that I didn’t even know existed. This experience gave me real confidence going into college.”
The Impact of Industry Partnerships
The impact of this experience extends beyond Liam himself. Educators at the CAPS program recognize the value of real-world partnerships like this one.
“I cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts this semester with Liam,” said Gavin Grillo, Engineering & Technology Design and Development Instructor at St. Louis CAPS. “The experiences which you were able to provide him with are invaluable, and we truly appreciate it. It is because of the support of individuals like yourself and TSI that our students and program are able to be successful.”
Investing in the Next Generation of AV Talent
At TSI Global, investing in the next generation of Audio-Visual Engineers isn’t just a program; it’s part of our mission. By providing students like Liam with mentorship, hands-on experience, and exposure to the industry’s best practices, we’re helping ensure the AV industry continues to innovate and thrive.
“TSI made a big impact on me, not just technically, but in how I see teamwork and professionalism in the industry,” Liam said. “I’m really grateful for the chance to be here. It’s an experience that’s definitely shaped how I’m thinking about my future.”
TSI Global is proud to support the next generation of audio-visual talent and looks forward to seeing students like Liam carry their passion and skills into the industry, ready to design, engineer, and elevate experiences for years to come.
TSI Global is hiring talented audio-visual professionals. If you are interested in a career opportunity with TSI, click this link: AV Careers.