Do You Want a Career as a Telecommunication Engineer?

As the name suggests, telecommunication is the transmission of signals from one place to another irrespective of the distance between the two places. Here, signals are sent using electromagnetic waves. Telephone, radio networks, mobile, and TV are all examples of telecommunication devices. The people who design these systems and maintain them are called telecommunication engineers. Their jobs are vital in continuing to keep people well-connected in a world that is constantly growing in telecommunications technology.

Job Profile/Description/Responsibilities

The main job of a telecommunications engineer is to study various telecommunication products, design them to meet the requirements of the clients, and to construct and install them. The work of a telecommunication engineer is not always based in the office. He or she may be required to travel to sites and install the systems there.



Various job responsibilities of a telecommunications engineer include:

• Regularly attending meetings to discuss projects
• Site surveys
• Some managerial functions like maintaining resources as well as staff
• Traveling, which is an inseparable part of this job since customers are located in different areas
• Preparing reports regarding projects and customer reviews regarding the product qualities
• Carrying out negotiations regarding the price of the products and the time period to complete the work
• Troubleshooting problems and finding out the necessary solutions
• Providing low cost solutions to the company
• Constantly working to be up-to-date on new telecommunications advances in technology

Academic Requirements

A bachelor's degree in electronics or electrical engineering is preferred for a position in telecommunication engineering. However, degrees in physical science telecommunications, science, physics, mathematics, and information technology can also be used.

Skills Sets

The following skills are necessary to become a successful telecommunications engineer:

1. The ability to work well under pressure.
2. Self-motivation and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
3. Good communication skills
4. Problem solving skills and patience
5. The ability to work as part of a team
6. Creativity and the ability to develop new ideas
7. A thorough understanding of computers

Training

Those who enter this field may be trained under the supervision of the senior engineers before being promoted to further positions. The training may vary from company to company but can include, service training, work shadowing, and seminars.

Career Prospects and Salaries

For the past few decades, there has been consistent growth in the field of telecommunications engineering. It is expected that there will be about 7% growth in the next ten years. As technology continues to grow and evolve so will the demand for workers in this field.

The salary scales for telecommunications engineers depend on the number of years of experience, skill levels, educational background, and talent. However, the average salary of telecommunications engineer is approximately $54,000-$80,000.