What Kind of Job Is Telecom?

What is Telecommunications?

Before we get into the specifics of the job done in the telecommunications industry, let’s define telecommunications. Telecommunications, often referred to as telecoms, is the transmission and reception of messages via electrical equipment. It includes voice, video, data, internet, and other communications. Telecommunications activity is divided into four parts:

• Transmitter: Using a specific code, a transmitter converts the original message into a signal.
• Channel: A channel modifies the signal in preparation for connecting to the line.
• Line: The signal is routed to the receiver along the line.
• Receiver: The signal is decoded and transformed back into the original signal by the receiver.

Is Telecommunications Part of The Technology Industry?

Companies that create, make, or distribute electronic devices such as computers, computer-related equipment, computer services, software, scientific instruments, and electronic components and goods comprise the technology industry.

The information sector includes businesses involved in the following processes:

• The production and distribution of information and cultural products
• Providing a way to transfer or distribute these products, as well as data or communications
• The processing of data

While telecommunication does involve a lot of technology to carry its careers, telecom actually is considered to be a part of the information sector rather than the tech industry.

Job Outlook For Careers in Telecom

The job outlook for telecommunications occupations is largely determined by the type of job you have. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for all telecommunications occupations is $74,130. With the highest earners working in the telecoms law and engineering sectors.

According to the BLS, the pace of job growth for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers will be 3% every year. The rate of growth for broadcast and sound engineers is expected to be 9% over the same period, which is faster than the 4% average for all jobs.

Educational Requirements for Telecommunication Careers

The telecommunications sector is one of the most rapidly changing in the economy due to the constant introduction of new technology and services. Workers must therefore keep their job skills up to date. Employers in the telecommunications industry seek people with knowledge and abilities in computer programming and software design, voice telephone technology known as telephony, laser and fiber optic technology, wireless technology, and data compression. Workers may continue to obtain training throughout their employment in order to maintain their abilities and keep up with emerging technologies.

Telecommunications training requirements will differ depending on the career. Many careers demand high school diplomas as well as on-the-job training. Furthermore, many occupations include pre-employment testing to assess a candidate’s aptitude for technical or customer service tasks. It is important that you know the educational requirements of the job you have or are applying for. For more information or further clarification, reach out to a supervisor or your employer.

Certificates & Programs

A certificate program in telecommunications gives training in disciplines such as technical writing and math, electronics principles, telecommunication computer applications, and fiber optic networks for entry-level personnel. A program can usually be completed in a year. Some universities can accept credit toward an associate’s degree.

Here at Hard Hat Training, we offer a standard-aligned safety certificate for telecommunication safety. You can receive this certificate upon completion of our Electric Utility & Telecommunications Safety Training Course.

Do I Need to Attend College?

Due to rising competition in the field, you may require some post-secondary education. Approximately 43% of technicians have a high school diploma with another 21% having received a post-secondary qualification. There are various certificate, 2-year, and 4-year degree programs available that will teach you how to deal with the rising complexities of technology. Employers prefer technicians with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electronics, or a related field for the most sophisticated professions, according to the BLS.

11 Different Telecommunication Careers

We will now go into depth about 11 of the most common careers in the telecommunication industry. We will also discuss the average salaries of each career as well as their primary duties.

Customer Service Representation

Customer service representatives collaborate with clients and consumers to discover answers to their problems. They may work at a store, a call center, or at home, fielding phone calls and emails from customers. They handle complaints, troubleshoot, refer clients to the appropriate department, and process payments and refunds. Customer service personnel must be patient, courteous, and possess excellent communication skills. A customer service representative’s annual salary is $57,645.

Telecommunications Operator

Telecommunications operators answer phones and route incoming and outgoing calls. They may provide information to callers, transfer calls, take messages, and record outgoing messages for a company. Telecommunications companies may also maintain a contact directory. A telecom operator’s annual pay is roughly $35,712.

Computer Programmer Career

Computer programmers create, test, and deploy computer programs. They use programming languages to create programs that give company solutions such as:

• Task automation
• Data management
• Customer interface creation

A computer programmer’s annual income is $48,295. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject is often required for computer programmers.

Cable Installer Jobs

Cable installers do the physical labor required to provide customers with cable service. Digging trenches and burying cables, feeding lines underground and through walls, and fastening wires to telephone poles and towers are all responsibilities. Cable installers should have mechanical abilities, basic building knowledge, and be able to work in harsh situations. A cable installer’s annual pay is around $66,329.

Telecommunications Technician

Line installers and equipment installers are two types of telecommunications technicians. Line installers are responsible for the installation, repair, and maintenance of exterior cable and electric lines and boxes. Physical components of indoor networks, such as modems and routers, are installed and repaired by equipment technicians. A telecommunications technician’s annual pay is roughly $56,015.

Data Analyst

Data analysts work with organizations to collect and analyze massive volumes of data. They do this frequently with the goal of finding trends and providing solutions. They integrate new software and provide suggestions for enhancing operations in order to boost productivity. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or a related discipline is often required for data analysts. A data analyst’s annual pay is $75,260 on average.

Telecommunications Manager

Telecommunications managers are in charge of teams, departments, or offices involved in telecommunications. They oversee everyday operations such as service call schedules and technician routing. They also supervise the recruiting and training of new employees and handle client complaints. Telecommunications managers must understand telecommunications processes, systems, and equipment. A telecommunications manager’s annual pay is around $79,796.

Telecommunications Specialist

Telecommunications specialists are in charge of developing updates for telecoms software and hardware, supervising telecommunications installation, and monitoring the operation of machinery and systems. Telecommunications specialists provide rules, processes, and strategies for an organization’s usage of telecommunications systems. A telecommunications specialist’s annual pay is roughly $81,690.

Systems Manager

Systems managers keep track of an organization’s systems’ efficiency and effectiveness. They create and analyze performance reports, plan system maintenance, and troubleshoot issues. To keep systems current and relevant, system managers must conduct research and apply new technology. A systems manager’s annual pay is around $88,169.

Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications engineers can specialize in a variety of fields. Some engineers plan cable routes, while others create new gear or equipment. Telecommunications engineers have a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications or computer science, as well as certifications for specific software and operating systems. A telecommunications engineer’s annual salary is around $96,179.

VoIP Engineer

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) engineers collaborate with companies to develop, test, implement and operate VoIP systems. Enabling customers to make phone calls using an internet connection rather than traditional phone lines. VoIP engineers have a strong understanding of computer science, VoIP software, and information technology. A VoIP engineer’s annual pay is $122,923 on average.

Why Do Telecommunication Employees Need to Take Safety Courses?

While many of the positions listed above appear to be typical 9-to-5 jobs. The telecommunications industry, like any other professional job, involves some level of risk and safety alignment. Some businesses, such as telecommunications, are riskier than others. Telecommunications professions are frequently undervalued and ignored. The perilous job done in this business supports our daily lives and accounts for many of our modern luxuries.

What Risks Do Telecommunication Workers Take?

Some telecommunications professionals are frequently required to work at extreme heights. Telecom masts are normally 50 to 160 feet tall, while most utility poles are 35 feet tall. In the correct circumstances, a fall from any of these heights can result in injury or death.

Furthermore, telecom workers do almost all of their jobs outside. This increases the danger of environmental and weather-related hazards, such as severe storms, cold, and heat. Telecom employees must take extra steps to safeguard themselves from the possibility of severe weather. They must have procedures for shutting down operations in extreme circumstances.

Telecom employees are also at risk of being hit by a car. Because the majority of the work is done at a height, workers may be harmed by falling objects, materials, and tools. To avoid these types of catastrophes, operators must verify that all electrical lines are correctly installed and that all overhead loads are appropriately secured.

Finally, telecom personnel may be exposed to high-voltage circuits. Workers risk electrocution and fire if electrical wires are not properly de-energized before work begins.

Crucial Skills for Employees in the Telecommunications Industry

Aside from educational, standardized, and training requirements, there are certain skills that telecommunication employees must have in order to succeed in their career. The following are the eight most important skills required in the telecommunication industry.

Collaborative Skills

The telecoms business is multidisciplinary. To prosper in today’s telecom industry, employees must be able to collaborate effectively with a wide range of other people and departments.

Willingness to Learn

The telecommunications business is continually changing. Every year, new technologies emerge that transform industry conventions and best practices. As a result, telecom professionals must be able to self-educate and swiftly acquire new information.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is the foundation of teamwork. In other words, the most effective teams are made up of individuals who can communicate immediately and confidently with one another. This is especially true currently, with the millions of companies forced to shift to a more widespread workforce model due to COVID-19.

Creativity

One of the results of technology’s continual advancement is that telecoms employers are always confronted with new and unfamiliar challenges. These employers need individuals who can think outside the box and occasionally go against the grain of their industry’s traditional procedures in order to keep up with the ongoing changes.

Adaptability

The last several years have been marked by constant change, and we should expect this to continue for the foreseeable future. Because of this employers in the telecom industry will continue to favor job candidates who can adapt to a changing economy, workforce, and technology landscape.

Organization

In any given telecommunications position, an individual can easily become overwhelmed by information or work tasks. As a result, companies will be looking for people who can demonstrate a capacity to stay organized; even (and especially) in high-pressure situations.

Open-Mindness

The telecoms business is a forward-thinking industry. Telecom employers are most interested in developing realistic technology infrastructure for the world of tomorrow. As a result, it’s critical for telecommunications professionals to keep an open mind when it comes to new ideas, even if they directly contradict their current worldview.

Empathy

As history has often demonstrated, technology’s long-term implications are not always favorable. Emerging technologies frequently have unanticipated and unintended impacts. As we go into a more advanced future, it will be more necessary than ever for telecom personnel to adopt empathy as their primary guiding light.

At the same time, it is critical that job searchers locate firms whose stated values are deeply aligned with their own. As a result, we will be much more likely to be able to cooperatively construct a telecommunication industry – and a society – that is more inclusive and welcoming to all.