What is the education required for a telecommunications engineer?

Telecommunications engineers design and install equipment used to transmit wired, cellular, cable, and broadband data. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include working with copper or fiber optic cables, complex networks, and switching systems. Telecommunications engineers can be employed by cable and wireless telecommunications companies, technical consulting firms, or government agencies.

What is the education required for a telecommunications engineer?

Telecommunications engineers typically have a degree in electrical or electronic engineering. Programs that have been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) can be particularly useful. New hires work under the supervision of senior professionals before becoming chief engineers with their own projects. Students who have earned a Professional Engineer (PE) credential can enjoy the advantage in the job market. The Society for Cable Telecommunications Engineers recommends that telecommunications engineers take continuing education courses to advance their careers and keep up with industry trends.

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Telecommunications engineer skills required

Telecommunications engineers are analytical, creative and methodical problem solvers with excellent concentration and mathematical skills. As members of production teams, they are also collaborative professionals and good speakers with interpersonal intelligence and the ability to work well with others.

Salary and prospects of the telecommunications engineer

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ranks telecommunications engineering specialists in the broadest category of computer network architects. Between 2018 and 2028, job opportunities for this category are expected to increase by 5%. Overall, computer network architects earned an average salary of $ 109,020 as of 2018.

In comparison, the BLS projected a 2% change in job growth nationwide for general electrical and electronics engineers over the same 10-year period. In May 2018, electrical and electronics engineers earned an average annual salary of $ 99,070.

Alternative career options

Some other engineering careers to consider include the following two:

Aerospace engineers

Aerospace engineers design and test prototypes for a variety of aircraft, missiles, satellites and spacecraft, including those associated with national defense. To qualify for a position, applicants must have an aerospace engineering degree or a similar field of study. Those working on national defense projects will need security clearances. The BLS reports that the number of job vacancies for aerospace engineers is expected to increase by 2% between 2018 and 2028. The average annual salaries for aerospace engineers were $ 115,220 in 2018.

Architecture and engineering managers

Architecture and engineering managers, who earned median annual salaries of $ 140,760 in May 2018, will also see slower-than-average employment growth (3%) from 2018 to 2028. Overall, their responsibilities include budgeting for the creation, research and development of New Products. how to hire and verify the accuracy and credibility of the work of lower-level staff. Aspiring managers usually complete a master's or professional degree in engineering or architecture, as well as five years of work experience. Some employers may also pay for degree programs leading to a master's in business administration or master's in management engineering.