Telecommunications Career Guide

The next time you pick up the phone, turn on the television to see your favorite program, or log onto the Internet to say hello to a friend via email, you can thank a telecommunications expert. The wide web of cables, poles, lines, and signals that crosses our world requires a dedicated telecommunications industry to keep it all working smoothly.

Which Types of Jobs Are Available for Those Interested in Telecommunications?

If you have ever seen a crew working hard to restore telephone poles after a storm, set foot inside a cell phone store, or called customer service to handle a problem with your cable or satellite reception, you have seen the face of the telecommunications industry. The easy and instant communication most of us take for granted is built, maintained, and supported by telecommunications experts.

From the customer service worker who answers the telephone to the repair expert who works against the elements in the middle of a stormy night, the types of jobs available for those interested in telecommunications is wide and varied.

Formal Training Required to Work in Telecommunications

For some entry-level telecommunications jobs, a high school diploma is the basic requirement. However, as the field becomes more competitive, those with an associate's or bachelor's degree in telecommunications should have more job options.

Telecommunications degree programs offer courses in computer science, software development, communication, and other elements that are crucial knowledge for telecommunications jobs. Telecommunications training programs can result in a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the degree and the more experience an employee has, the better their pay and options for advancement will be.

Regardless of the career path you choose in the telecommunications industry, continuing education is a necessity of the job. The world of communication changes rapidly, and regular refresher courses are required to keep up with the new technologies, techniques, and products.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Telecommunications

Choosing a career in telecommunications can take you down several different paths. Whether you prefer the hands-on satisfaction of working with telecommunications systems or the administrative side of the job, your telecommunications degree can help get you there.

Here are just a few of the options for telecommunications jobs:

• Installation, repair, and maintenance workers. Telecommunications requires a significant amount of wiring, cables, poles, and other physical aspects that are the backbone of the telecommunications grid. Line installers handle much of the physical work of putting up poles, running cables, digging for underground lines, and more. Station installers work with the customer on their property, while some installers and repair personnel stay in the central offices and work on the equipment there. Cable installers might drive long distances to provide customer service to consumers at their place of residence.
• Professional workers. Engineers plan cable routes, solve problems with telecommunications delivery, and develop new products to make communications easier for both businesses and individuals. Engineers work closely with computer developers and communication analysts to research, design, and develop new techniques, methods, and products.
• Administrative workers. Those who work in the offices of telecommunications companies often have direct contact with customers, handling everything from new requests for service to complaints and repair issues. Customer service representatives and telephone operators are at the forefront of the administrative side, but there are also financial consultants, records clerks, administrative assistants, and first-line managers who handle the day-to-day operations of a telecommunications company.
• Sales workers. The sales representatives who handle customer requests, as well as work to drum up new business, are a very important part of the success of the telecommunications industry.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Those Interested in Telecommunications

Those with the most current skills should be in highest demand for new telecommunications jobs. Though work in telecommunications is possible throughout the country, the highest concentrations of good telecommunications jobs are in cities where business and industry flourish.

Though the demand for some telecommunications jobs is expected to decline in future years, other areas should see a rise in employment. Customer service representatives are projected to be in higher demand, as well as computer specialists, repair workers, installation experts, and maintenance.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly earnings for non-supervisory telecommunications jobs was $1,038, or just shy of $54,000 per year as of 2008. Depending upon the degree and experience, the average pay for a telecommunications worker could be much higher.