Opportunity comes calling Nearly 1.5 lakh telecom professionals will be required over the next 2-3 years, writes Usha Albuquerque MOBILE phones, cable television, Internet, broadband connectivity, net telephony are just some of the many new technological innovations we take so much for granted today. Twenty years ago, many of these facilities were unthinkable. Over the years, from the then revolutionary telephone to today’s cutting-edge space communication systems, the global telecom industry has undergone a massive transformation. Countries and continents are brought closer by means of fast emanating information carrying communication networks. Towns, cities, trade centres, harbours, ports, even space is now connected with underground cables, radio links and satellite. All this has been made possible today only through the work and efforts of telecommunication engineers. And not just engineers, but marketing and management professionals are also very much in demand now. The telecom sector is among the fastest growing sectors in our country today. Currently there are well over 45million mobile users in India. And this number is growing very rapidly. Moreover, the broad-band/ digital cable is also now all set to take the country by storm. And over 47 million new lines are to be added in the coming years. Therefore, the future for professionals in the telecom sector is very promising. It is, in fact, predicted that a total of almost 1,50,000 telecom professionals are going to be required over the next 2-3 years. Jobs galore Jobs in the telecom industry are mainly in the cellular telephone industry, the computer industry the communication and networking systems and the service providers. Here, the work can be in manufacture and production, research, design and development, and sales and marketing. Telecommunication engineers are involved in the designing, manufacture and operation of telecommunication devices. They are concerned with establishing communication by means of telephones, telegraphs, radar, radio, radio navigational aids, TV, broadcasting, satellite and fibre optics. Telecommunication engineers mainly deal with line and wireless communication, or radio, cable or satellite communication. The work comprises installation, supervision and maintenance of telephone exchanges and telephone lines, and periodical testing of broadcasting and telecasting systems and studios and transmitting and receiving stations. As specialists telecommunication engineers can also work with the aerospace industry, and earth stations using satellite dishes. Marketing avenues Professionals in the area of sales and marketing are required to market the products, which include mobile phones, broad-band technology, Internet services, computerised equipment and so on. While the engineers manufacture, repair and maintain telecommunication gadgets, marketing professionals are required to explain to consumers the different areas of usage of the various products and services, so as to ensure sales. This is essentially a business activity that involves various aspects such as market research, product development, promotion, pricing, sales and distribution. Recruitment route Telecommunication engineers: Plus two with Physics, Chemistry and Maths is the necessary qualification for a B.E/B.Tech degree in telecommunication engineering. You can even opt for a B.E in Electronics or in Electronics and Communications. Alternatively, you can do B.E in Electronics/ and/or Electronic & communication, and then an M.Tech in telecommunications. ITIs and polytechnics also offer diploma courses in electrical and electronics and telecommunication engineering. The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers conducts exams to enable candidates at different levels to qualify in this specialised field. Those who have passed Class X or XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, or ITI with electronics, or a polytechnic diploma in any engineering discipline and some working experience in this field can appear for the Diploma examination, considered equivalent to polytechnic diploma in electronics. Those who have passed the Diploma IETE exam, or hold a diploma in electronics, telecommunications, electrical or any other related field and with work experience in the relevant field can appear for the graduating examination leading to the Associate Membership of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications, considered equivalent to a university degree in electronics engineering. Training: At present there are very few institutions providing training in Telecom Engineering, but they are expected to increase rapidly. The BE/B.Tech course in Telecom Engineering provides a thorough grounding in basic sciences and engineering subjects, communication and control systems, computers, microelectronics, radar and television engineering and microwave communication. Marketing: A graduate degree in any discipline is the basic criteria for an MBA programme. You could also go in for a postgraduate diploma in sales and marketing. Training: You can choose to train in sales and marketing after graduation, however, usually the best course, which also offers bright prospects for further growth, is an MBA with a specialisation in telecom management or marketing. The leading business schools are the best institutions for training in this area. Placement prospects Once you are a telecommunication engineer, you could be employed with mobile phone service providers, cable and satellite networks, the Ministry of Communication, radio, television, and information and broadcasting sectors and for railways or police wireless organisations. Telecommunication engineers are also employed by the paramilitary forces like the BSF, CRPF and defence-related organisations and by private companies manufacturing electronic, digital and radio equipment. A marketing professional/or qualified MBA could be employed mainly with mobile telephone service providers; satellite and cable networks; electronic shops and retail outlets; government and private sector companies and so on. So, the top jobs here are open in the area of marketing of different telecom services as well as for qualified telecom engineers. Several opportunities are emerging in the areas of networking, telecom protocols such as ISDN, wireless protocols such as GSM, as well as those providing the cables, the hardware and equipment that is going to provide employment in the future. Therefore, if you are keen on a career in telecommunications, now is the time to go ahead and make your mark! Training talk Prominent Institutions where you can train for Telecom Engineering/ Management include:
(The list is not exhaustive) — The writer is a noted career expert
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