Changing Careers - Telecoms.. What are my options?

[MehrunesDagon]

PH,

I'm 21, and I currently work as an 'IT Manager' - a one man band where I manage the IT Infrastructure, along with support from various IT Companies. (Firewall folk, Application Support and so on...)

Essentially I'm OK at the following but a master of none.. (AD, Checkpoint, Networking, Windows)
At this moment in time I'm going through completing all of the basic CompTIA certs at home to make myself somewhat employable, as all I'm doing in this current role is meeting the requirement that is set - there is no interest in my progression.

However, I've had some dealings with Telephony Engineers in the past, and it seems like an interesting path to take.

It would be really worthwhile to hear from anyone in the industry (Telecoms, that is) and just understand your take on it, and how to enter the industry. (ie. are there any manufacturer specific certs that are worthwhile?)

Any thoughts would be most helpful.


MehrunesDagon

[Tomo1971]

When you say Telecoms.... what part of it in particular?

Fixed or mobile?
Engineering, Maintenance or Project Management?
Software, Devices?

There are just loads of different opportunities in both fixed and mobile, particularly the later.

I work in mobile comms - I am a PM but started off in the field - building the base stations.

[edc]

As above "telecoms" covers a broad range. I've just left an international telecoms provider and had oversight of all the regional hiring. There are lots of different roles and opportunities but as usual getting into them depends on your experience.

[old No 1]

I work in the out side plant side of telecoms.

I would aim to gain knowledge of FTTx technologies. I work on designing and build of the networks and testing and commissioning
of the completed networks as a consultant to the big players in the market

Its the 2nd wave of fibre optics after the big push in the 90's for carrier cables.

The next 10 years openreach will be outsourcing all the FTTx build to contract.

[devnull]

I worked in Telecoms for the past 15 years - specifically Enterprise PBX and Contact Centres. I left because the industry is dying a slow death due to the shift to the cloud, where everything is quicker faster and a little bit sexier. Gone are the gravy days of effortless million dollar deals, just an ageing product pretending to be innovative and an even more ageing workforce. Think BT/Openreach engineers who moved into more business/sales roles, did well out of it and are now waiting for retirement, with little to no backfill of talent coming in who want to know the leagues of telecoms infrastructure and history.

A fascinating subject for a career, but it's not paying the bills anymore.

[crusty]

I have been working with Cisco Unified Comms for the last 20 years, and still would recommend it as a career, but it is constantly changing, which is the appeal, but hard to get into, as the skills needed are always increasing

[edc]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It depends on where you want to be. From my carrier side you can be in Operations, development, product development, sales or pre-sales. You can also be in project management / delivery of the solution or service to customers or even internal project management working with an engineering led group. If you don't know the market or the product you will always start nearer the bottom.

[crusty]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Good question!

I work in delivery, so take the project from basic design through to completion before it moves into support

Because it is so multifaceted now, you really need to gain experience by working for a company who will take you on and train you.

Have Cisco qualifications will certainly help you get a foot in the door, but you do need a huge amount of experience before you can be let loose on a proper project

[Cyberprog]

If you work in the south west, you may be of interest to my employer. I was in a similar position to you, and was clearly the sort of person they wanted!

We're after 3 more people atm, so PM me if it's of any interest and I'll give more info.

[devnull]

I should also note that Telecoms these days is just essentially a sysadmin role - if you have Linux and Windows sysadmin skills and know LDAP concepts, you can get through it.

[MehrunesDagon]

Apologies for just creating a post and 'pissing off' - I've been somewhat in crisis lately.
It seems as if I'll need to give it a lot more thought, theres a lot more depth to it than I originally (foolishly) thought.

I'll get myself certified and get experience out of my working hours - then I can look at what would interest me in regards to specialising/changing sectors.

Thanks everyone.