Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

• Computer and Information Sciences, General
• Information Technology
• Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
• Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
• Network and System Administration/Administrator
• Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
• Computer Engineering, General
• Computer Engineering, Other
• Telecommunications Engineering

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Employers usually prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor's degree, but for more technically complex jobs, graduate degrees are preferred.

Insider Info

Additional Information

If challenging work in a high-tech field appeals to you, here are some tips from the experts to help you get started as a telecommunications engineer.

First, get to know what goes on in telecommunications before you jump into training. Visit a company where this kind of work is going on. After all, school can be radically different than the working world.

Another way to find out about the industry is to talk to an engineer and ask about their job. You can do this by contacting an engineering company, or even a phone company, in your area.

To work as an engineer in the telecommunications industry, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in engineering. This typically takes at least four years to complete. Try to find a program that places an emphasis on telecommunication.

"For people who want to get a good basic understanding of this stuff, some kind of an engineering degree would be almost essential," says telecom engineer and consultant Jim O'Gorman. "Also, some kind of industry training in either Microsoft or Cisco would be great. If you've got other supplemental training in security or cellular or wireless, that would be great too."

Many of the most successful telecommunications engineers have gone on to graduate study in this field. This allows them to move into higher paying positions with private companies and into teaching positions at colleges and universities.

"A lot of the students who do two years (completing an associate's degree) go ahead and finish the four-year degree once they get employed," says Sharon Black, an engineering professor. "Many of the employers will pay for the extra two years."

If you're still in school, experts recommend getting as much experience as you can. Black says it's "absolutely critical" to participate in internship programs. "It makes a huge difference," she says.

When choosing a school, Black suggests trying to find one with a well-equipped, modern lab. Also, find out how long the program has been around, how many students they take each year and their success rate in getting jobs.