Telecommunications engineering

Telecoms engineering is a fast-paced sector where graduates can work with cutting edge technology and have a global impact.

All the technological changes to modern life and communications, from blogging to pod casting, eBay to SMS messaging, are all leveraged from the telecoms infrastructure. The transmission of data is changing the way we live and this makes telecoms such an exciting, challenging, and constantly evolving area to work in.

The big names in European telecoms such as Nortel, Siemens, Ericsson and Alcatel, provide the backbone technology of fixed-line, mobile and internet services. These three parts are starting to converge into one. People are moving from communications used in a fixed environment, to communications on the move, wherever they are. Engineers must meet the constant challenges of customer demand, but also stay one step ahead to predict and produce new technology that will compete in the marketplace.

Trends and developments in the telecoms industry

The major challenge today is moving from fixed-line to mobile, and from voice to data communication. Ten years ago an average phone call was two minutes. Now internet connections stay open all the time; people message their friends, download music and videos, and they want to do this on their mobile phones too. Changes in consumer behaviour create major technological engineering challenges.

What it's like working in telecoms

Engineers need to be energetic, enthusiastic and creative – this allows us to imagine what customers want. Some engineers will work in research and development (R&D) to create the products of tomorrow. Others will work on implementing these products and solving how to plumb them into a client’s network. There is a lot of client interaction and good interpersonal skills are essential. For example you may have a meeting with a traditional fixed-line provider who has some of the brightest engineers around; you need to know your stuff, know how their networks work, and know how your products can be implemented. Projects can run anywhere from 18 months to just a few weeks. Big network builds take longer and commonly take place in the developing world. In the US and Western Europe, projects often concentrate on developing existing networks.

Getting a graduate job in telecoms engineering

Graduate recruitment schemes, internships and networking are all useful ways of getting in. Technical capabilities are very important to working in this sector, but are taken as a given – perhaps 80 per cent of your ability to succeed will be down to your drive, enthusiasm and get up and go. You always need to be contributing ideas, a fantastic teamworker and volunteer your services on projects. Spelling, grammar and a clear writing style are very important to communicate both internally and externally.

The highlights of a career in telecoms

  • It’s an industry that affects and dictates the way the world communicates.
  • With the right attitude and enthusiasm, you have a real opportunity to progress to the top.
  • You will always be working with, or designing, the latest technology.

The telecoms industry seeks graduates in...

  • civil and structural
  • control
  • electrical
  • electronics
  • environmental
  • manufacturing
  • materials
  • mathematics
  • mechanical
  • physics
  • power systems
  • software
  • telecoms engineering

Always check individual employers' requirements.

Dave Adkins is the regional operations leader, Northern Europe, for Nortel. He has an MBA, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has worked in telecoms for 24 years.

More areas of work

Recruiting now