Jeremy Kaplan
When inventor Alexander Graham Bell was handed a patent for the earliest practical telephone in 1876, it sparked a technological revolution. Today, the telecommunications sector works hard to ensure that the phone-based communications methods many of us heavily rely on remain smooth and, indeed, improve with time. However, this still barely touches on the massive variety of opportunities in this industry; here are some tips for making good progress in it.
The telecoms sector has flourished in variety
Telecommunications devices, which range from high-end smartphones to more rudimentary phones based in small offices, integrate many of the planet’s most useful and thrilling technologies. Telephones today are often cordless and packed with such features as voicemail, hold and transfer, and even the once very futuristic-seeming video chat. Phones have also significantly evolved in design, becoming much smaller, slimmer, and easier to carry around than before.
However, All About Careers points out that the world of telecommunications goes far beyond physical devices. It also includes the Internet, which is obviously crucial to many of the most vital functions in smartphones. People in different posts work on different aspects of telecommunications; job positions outlined by the jobs listings portal Telecom Crossing include customer service representative, computer administrator, telephone operator, and engineer.
What should you do before applying for a job?
Whether you have never previously worked in telecommunications, or are already working there but want a job change within the industry, here is how you can prepare to apply for a post. Firstly, make sure that you have the right qualifications. Obviously, each job listing you see will probably specify how the successful applicant should be qualified. However, if you remain unsure exactly which jobs to place primarily in your sights, keep in mind that telecoms workers commonly hold mathematics, computer science, and software design degrees.
You should also carefully consider what companies to send your applications to. It’s not hard to think of major employers in this industry; they include BT, Apple, Samsung, Nokia, Siemens, and Cisco. Still, the choice of telecoms employers is much broader than this, as it includes both private firms and public sector organizations wanting to hire engineers, consultants, and technicians who can take care of the installation and maintenance of telecommunications hardware and networks.
Telecoms engineers and technicians need specialist skills. The forms of hardware that they work with include handsets, routers, servers, and fiber optic cables. If you are seeking to become an engineer or computer administrator in the telecoms field, make sure that you have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant area of specialty.
How to continue your success once you have the job
Once you are in the job, you can continue developing and progressing. In fact, this is obviously crucial if you are working in a technical position, as technology doesn’t stand still and so the industry is continuing to quickly develop and expand. Therefore, you will need to regularly learn further skills to add to – or replace – those you learned when studying for your degree.
The telecom industry’s growth could lead your company to bring its operations abroad – and you with them. One potential problem with this is that, if you start working outside the United States but still cater for customers in that country, those people might be deterred from phoning the business if it advertises what they can see isn’t a US-based phone number.
Thankfully, your company can still have its own US toll free number abroad. If you worked in the United Kingdom, for example, Capital Telecom could set this up and even connect you for free.
