Types of Jobs in Telecommunications

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ByAndra PicincuUpdated January 29, 2019

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The telecom industry is booming. Its global revenue is expected to reach $1.46 trillion by 2020. According to financial experts, modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality and 5G connectivity will play a major role in its development. In this digital era, there are more jobs available in telecom than ever before, so now is a great time to launch your career.

Overview of the Telecom Industry

Mobile and wireless technologies are shaping the telecommunications industry. Multinational telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone generate billions of dollars annually. Deloitte estimates that more than 370,000 new jobs will become available over the next few years.

Despite the rising popularity of Viber, WhatsApp, Skype and other services that people use to chat, stream content and hold video conferences for free, the telecom industry continues to grow. Companies that operate in this market are investing heavily in IoT, virtual reality and network upgrades. They are also switching to state-of-art equipment and experimenting with innovative service offerings.

With a variety of new products and millions of new subscribers, this industry opens up a world of opportunities for individuals who are looking to start their career or switch jobs. The demand for engineering specialists, telecom equipment installers and customer service representatives is steadily increasing. If you're tech-savvy, you could land a high-paying job as a voice project analyst, IT specialist or network provisioning administrator. Applicants with advanced technical skills have the best job opportunities.

Jobs in the Telecommunication Sector

The telecom industry is constantly changing to meet customers' demands and keep up with the latest technologies. New job opportunities are popping up every day. Whether you're a digital marketing specialist, an engineer or a programmer, you can make a career in telecommunications. It's one of the most exciting industries out there – just think about how far telephones have come over the past decades.

As more and more telecom operators are digitizing their services, candidates with analytics-driven operational abilities will have a competitive edge in the job market. Depending on your skills and experience, you could work as a global security network engineer, head of IT customer experience, technical project manager or data analyst.

However, there are still plenty of jobs available for telecom equipment installers and repairers. In 2017, workers in these areas earned at least $53,380 per year. If you have experience in marketing sales, consider applying for a role as a sales representative, telemarketer or retail salesperson. The demand for computer systems analysts and computer software engineers is on the rise too.

Telecommunications Engineers

The average annual salary of a telecommunications engineer is $85,500 per year. The more experience you have, the higher your income. Senior roles pay up to $145,351 per year.

Those who are interested in starting a career in this field need specific technical training. Most companies require a bachelor's or a master's degree and industry-related certifications, such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) certification. Job seekers with advanced math skills, analytical capabilities and strong communication abilities have a competitive advantage.

Telecom engineers regularly interact with co-workers, customers or other technicians. Therefore, it's essential to have good interpersonal skills and the ability to convey complex concepts to people with varying skill levels. In this role, you are responsible for managing telecom infrastructure, routers and computer networks. Telecommunications engineers also need a good understanding of VoIP and telephony networks, cabling standards, WAN protocols and ISO documentation.

Equipment Installers and Repairers

Also known as telecom technicians, those who work in this field usually handle telecom equipment maintenance and repairs. Their duties include planning network installations, troubleshooting outages, testing circuits and preparing installation diagrams. They must possess troubleshooting and mechanical skills as well as strong customer skills.

Most companies prefer job seekers who have completed a postsecondary education program in computer science, telecom or electronics. Since this industry is evolving at a fast pace, continuing education is a necessity. Workers are encouraged to attend technical workshops, enroll in technical courses and renew their certifications.

Telecom Project Managers

Projects managers in the telecom industry earn an average salary of $72,500 per year. This number can go up to $112,836 for those in senior roles. If you're just getting started, you can expect to make around $32,000.

This is one of the most sought-after jobs in the telecommunication sector. Responsibilities include developing personnel policies and procedures, directing specific projects and making adjustments when needed, ensuring timely installations, implementing network security policies and more. Project managers handle a variety of projects from start to finish while ensuring compliance with the estimated timelines and costs.

Those who are interested in this role need to possess a wide range of skills. They must be good communicators, manage their time efficiently and stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards and regulations. Telecom operators usually prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering.

Data Analysts and Data Scientists

In this digital age, companies worldwide manage vast amounts of data on a daily basis; the telecom industry is no exception. According to the latest estimates, the accumulated volume of data will reach 5.2 zettabytes by 2025. This information needs to be sorted out, processed and analyzed for operational and marketing purposes.

If you're passionate about numbers, consider a career as a data analyst or data scientist. Workers in these areas develop visual dashboards, turn data into actionable insights, identify opportunities and risks, and manage security threats. They also ensure data quality, develop solutions based on hard facts and help the organization learn more about customer behavior.

In general, companies that hire for these roles seek candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics, computer science or business intelligence. Strong programming skills are necessary. Some employers prefer job seekers with experience in Clickstream, Teradata SQL, Tableau and other industry-specific tools.

Working as a Telecommunications Specialist

If you're familiar with the different types of telecommunication networks and systems, you may work as a telecom specialist. Most employers seek candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer or information science. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining and securing computer systems, detecting and troubleshooting potential issues, implementing innovative networking solutions and managing policies and procedures.

Telecom specialists earn $35,571 to $88,750 per year depending on their skills and expertise. They ensure the proper functioning of telecom devices, administrate and optimize telecommunication channels, and compile reports about the systems they manage. Telecom specialists develop and implement communication networks, provide technical advice and coordinate telecommunications activities.

Choose a Career Path

These are just a few of the many jobs available in the telecom industry. You may also consider working as a network and computer systems administrator, telecom researcher or computer support specialist. If you prefer a less technical role, search for telecom jobs in marketing, sales or customer service.

Education requirements vary from one role to the next. However, most employers expect candidates to have a bachelor’s degree or industry-related certifications. Some jobs provide on-site training, making it easier for new employees to learn about the company's products and target market. If you're new to this industry, consider applying for an internship or start with an entry-level role and build your way to the top.