What Is a Telecommunications Specialist?
Telecommunications specialists oversee the installation, maintenance and efficiency of various Internet, telephone and television services. The telecommunications field is made up of four main areas: wired, wireless, satellite and other establishments, but the biggest sector specialists deal with is wired telecommunications.
Telecommunications specialists often serve as client representatives by administering support, organizing maintenance services and providing technical assistance. They are the primary source of communication for customers who need technical support. They design voice and data communication systems, such as connecting networking databases, setting up voicemail and electronic mail systems and cable-to-modem communication.
Telecommunications specialists need to have excellent communication and technical skills for their specific area of work. You need to be a team player and be able to get along with others because you’re constantly working with people in the office and over the phone.
How to Become a Telecommunications Specialist
Becoming a telecommunications specialist requires fewer educational and training requirements than most technical careers. Depending on the employer and job responsibilities, you may or may not be required to have a college degree to become a telecommunications specialist. Most specialists learn their skills on the job, and extensive job training programs are put in to place to help prepare new employees.
Telecommunications specialists are generally required to have at least a high school diploma, and some employers may conduct pre-employment testing to see how they do in technical and customer service roles. Applicants with strong math or engineering skills will have an excellent chance at getting a job as a telecommunications specialist.
Those who want to remain competitive and stand out among other applicants should make a point to stay up to date on the latest technologies and services, as well as keep their skills current. This may require learning computer programming, software design and telephony.
Telecommunications Specialist Career Outlook & Salary
As a whole, the demand for telecommunications services is growing, but the employment rate is declining. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the telecommunications industry is predicted to decline by 9% over the next eight years.
The decline can be attributed to the improvement and reliability of the telecommunications infrastructure, which has limited the need for more workers. Also, the growing demand for additional services that are faster, more advanced and efficient will lessen the need for telecommunications workers. As for job prospects, there will be more customer service representative positions open because they tend to have a high turnover rate.
Telecommunications specialists make favorable salaries, ranging from $42,000 to $67,096 a year, according to PayScale.com. They often receive substantial bonuses, especially when they are unionized. A large number of telecommunications employees, including specialists, are members of the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
