Wondering if telecommunications equipment is a good career path, this article provides every information you need about this industry and why it’s a great choice.
Is Telecommunications Equipment a Good Career Path
The answer is a resounding YES. As with most industries, compensation for telecom equipment differs depending on education and experience levels. However, according to the BLS’s national survey of wages in 2014, an average annual salary for telecom equipment installers and repairers was $53,680 per year (the equivalent of $25.87 per hour).
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a Telecommunications Professional was $61,858 as of May 2014. That’s about $3,000 less than the average salary for all jobs in America. The median salary for Telecommunications Professionals was $50,000 in 2013, according to PayScale, which is $5,000 less than the median income for all U.S.
The telecommunications field offers excellent opportunities for career growth, but not all jobs are created equal. There are plenty of entry-level positions available, and some career paths provide an opportunity to work on the front lines of a fast-paced industry.
This can allow you to advance through an organization quickly. But it also means that you could be squandering valuable training and experience that might help set you up for a more senior role down the road.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment within the telecommunications industry will grow at a rate of about 5% between 2014 and 2024, slightly slower than most occupations but still providing more than 80,000 new jobs over the course of the 10-year period.
Telecommunications Equipment: What Do You Need to Know?
The first step to take before choosing a career path in Telecommunications equipment is to understand what it means. Telecommunications equipment or infrastructure essentially means any hardware used in the telecommunications process.
Telecommunications infrastructures encompass a wide variety of communication technologies. Some examples of telecommunication equipment include switches, wires, cables, telecom towers, voice over internet protocols as well as smartphones.
It is important to note that this telecommunication equipment relies heavily on software to function, thereby requiring a great technician that understands both the hardware and software of the technology.
Telecommunication equipment is a very core part of the telecommunications sector as it constitutes the means through which telecommunication services are provided to consumers. As a result, as the telecommunications sector grows, telecommunication equipment would always be relevant.
Is Telecommunications a Good Career Path?
Yes. It is a good career path. The telecommunications industry offers a lot of opportunities due to its high demands. In addition, with the explosion of new technologies in the 21st century, it is only normal that this field would continue to develop.
The best part is that the telecommunications sector is going to continue to be a very important part of our lives as human beings. In that. Telecommunications has over the years shaped communication between people and would continually play an important role to that effect.
In essence, if you’re wondering if telecommunication equipment would be a good career path, your answer is yes. I understand that making a career choice is not as straightforward given the fact that anything can happen in the future. But with an ever-evolving industry like telecommunications, all you need is your dedication to make you established.
What Are the Required Skills and Qualifications for the Telecommunications Industry?
The required skills and training for a career in the telecommunication equipment industry essentially depend on the role you’re applying for. However, some of its major roles require a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Students specializing in telecommunications have a high chance of landing major roles like Engineers or technicians. Generally, telecom technicians require post-secondary school training in Telecommunications, electronics, and computer networking.
You should also note that most telecommunications companies provide training for their technicians before they resume and they even get to learn some of the required skills on the job.
What Career Opportunities Are Available in Telecommunications Equipment?
There are a lot of job opportunities in the telecommunications industry every year with more than 1000 openings available for telecommunication equipment roles.
Multinational telecommunication companies like Vodafone, Verizon, and AT&T are widely known to generate billions of dollars annually. This explains how lucrative the sector is and there would consequently be demands for several roles in this sector.
Here’s a list of some of the best jobs available in Telecommunications;
- Data Analyst and Data Scientists
This is a well sought-after job in the telecommunication industry. This should not be surprising, because, in this digital age, companies rely on a wide amount of data. In fact, according to a recent report, the accumulated volume of data would reach 5.2 zettabytes by 2025 and it necessarily follows that these data need to be analyzed and sorted.
If you’re interested in this role, you should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business intelligence, mathematics as well as computer science. Also, you’d need to have some programming skills. Experience in Clickstream, Teradata SQL, Tableau, and other industry-specific tools would be an added advantage.
- Telecommunications project Managers
This is one of the most sought-after jobs in the telecommunications industry. The responsibilities of a telecom project manager include developing personnel policies and procedures, leading and directing specific products, making necessary adjustments when necessary, ensuring timely installations as well as implementing network securities.
In essence, a telecom project manager handles a wide range of projects from start to finish, while ensuring compliance with estimated costs and timelines.
The estimated average salary of a telecom project manager is $72,500 per year. This number can increase over the years up to $112,836 for more senior roles. If you’re just starting. You should expect to earn about $32,000.
- Equipment Installers and Repairers
This set of people work in the field and are involved in the maintenance and repair of telecom equipment. For this role, most companies lookout for candidates who have completed post-secondary education in computer science, electronics, or telecommunications-related training.
- Telecommunications Specialist-
You’d be a good fit for a telecommunications Specialist role if you are knowledgeable about all the types of telecommunication systems and networks. For this role, employers lookout for candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer or information science.
Telecom specialists ensure the proper functioning of telecom devices, administration, and optimization of telecom channels as well as compiling reports about the systems they manage.
The average salary for telecom specialists ranges between $35,571 to $88,750 per annum depending on their skills and level of experience.
Other roles in this sector include:
- Systems Manager
- VoIP Engineer
- Computer Programmer
- Cable Installer
- Telecommunication Engineers
- Customer Service Representative
This list is not exhaustive as there are many other roles in this industry you can pick from.
While talking about jobs, it is important to note that According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of job growth for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers would decrease by 3% between 2019-2029.
However, that of broadcast and sound engineers is set to increase by 9% over the same period. It is important to bear this in mind while choosing your position in the industry.
How to Start a Career in Telecommunications?
The telecommunication sector is a very technical one that requires an in-depth understanding of the various components that makes up the sector. If you’re planning to start a career in Telecommunications, the following skills would come in handy to help fast track your career growth
- Computer Skills:
Basic computer skills would be required for any role in the communication industry. The reason for this is not far-fetched as this industry processes most of its data with computers. Also, cloud computing skills are in demand because most data are now stored on the cloud.
- Programming Skills:
Programming skills are usually in demand in the telecommunication industry and would give you an edge in the sector. Basic programming skills would suffice for an entry-level role because most telecom companies provide training for employees and you would also learn a great deal on the job.
- Soft Skills:
Much more than technical skills, your soft skills are also very important as no one wants to work with a robot. Employees want to see your leadership skills, communication skills as well as team working skills to decide if you’d be a good fit for the job. Some of these technical skills include interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills amongst others.
- IT Support Skills:
This is another very important skill set that network engineers are required to have. This skill involves the process of maintaining, supporting, troubleshooting, and implementing different communication networks while using the different kinds of networks such as LAN, WAN, MAN. And WLAN.
- Certifications:
Having certifications in some IT-related courses can help you stand out in the telecom industry. The digital field is ever-evolving with new processes of doing things. Certifications are ways to gain knowledge on the new ways of doing things.
Employers are always in need of people that are up to date on the happening and workings of the telecom sector. You’d be doing yourself a great favor by taking some relevant certifications as they would come in handy.
- Commercial Awareness:
This cannot be overemphasized. Asides from the technical skills, it is also essential that you are aware of the happenings in the telecommunication sector as this would help you stand out.
What is the Job Outlook for Careers within the Telecommunications Sector?
This would essentially depend on the position you’d like to go for. Frankly speaking, the demand for installers and Repairers has been predicted to fall by 4% in the coming years. But for other roles, there seems to be a rise in their demands.
In summary, for people involved in telecom repairing and installation, the job demand is going to reduce drastically as technology evolves as there would no longer be a need for frequent repairs or installations.
Work Environment
The work environment for people involved in telecommunications equipment would depend on the role. For instance, installers and repairers of telecommunication equipment are always employed in the central office or service centers. But they spend most of their time on the field. But other roles in this sector would either be employed in the central office or be assigned to telecom service centers.
Salary
From the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly salary for telecommunication positions is around $74,130 per annum. The highest earners in this industry are those working in engineering or legal positions. This estimated salary varies depending on companies as well as your position.
FAQs
What are the types of telecommunications?
The variety of telecommunication equipment is endless. However, some common telecommunications equipment includes; phones, radios, satellite, television broadcasting, telegraphy, and fax machines to mention a few.
What is the difference between telecom and telecommunication?
Essentially, there is no major difference between telecom and telecommunications. Telecom is a short and informal version of the word telecommunications.
Which company is the largest telecommunications equipment maker in the world?
Some of the largest telecommunications equipment companies include; AT&T, Verizon communication inc, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp., Deutsche Telekom, and #6 Vodafone Group PLC to mention a few.
Conclusion
The telecommunication sector forms a very integral part of human communication and can be said to be an ever-evolving sector. With this being said, telecommunications equipment is a good career path and is a very promising one. You’d surely come across a lot of opportunities to grow to the peak of your career.
