what is telecommunications and what career would a degree in it prepare me for?

Answer 1

Telecommunications is the use of electronic transmitters to send electromagnetic waves over a distance for the purpose of communication. Some devices commonly used are television, radio and telephone and there are many networks to support and connect these devices. Another example is computer communication involving the internet such as e-mail and instant messaging.

The type of degree would depend on what part of this broad area you're interested in, for example engineers develop and maintain the equipment (hardware) and programmers create and maintain the software necessary for the networks to operate. So decide what area of telecommunications you're interested in then focus on the criteria that the degree requires.

Answer 2

Guide to College Majors in Telecommunications

What is Telecommunications?

When you are chatting on your cell phone as you drive to work, when you page your co-worker, when you are checking your voice mail, when you watch the evening news on television, or when you are surfing the Internet, you are utilizing telecommunications services. This is true any time an individual uses an electrical device to send a message of any kind.

The evolution of telecommunications technology has transformed the way we communicate and transmit information, and this industry is one of the most rapidly growing and changing industries in the economy. Clearly this industry will continue to change, and powerfully impact the way we conduct our lives.

More and more, the options and methods for studying telecommunications are expanding to include distance learning. The development of online telecommunications degree programs has enabled more students to obtain a quality education without having to relocate to a physical campus.

Students interested in telecommunications and other related careers have several degree options, ranging from certificate programs, to bachelor's degree programs, to master's degree programs. Thus, online telecommunications programs expand career opportunities for many future entry-level professionals, as well as more experienced telecommunications professionals hoping to advance their careers with distance education.

Furthermore, because the demand for better, advanced telecommunications systems increases as rapidly as the development of new technologies, it is not uncommon for telecommunications professionals to rely on distance learning to increase and advance their technical skills and update their training.

Online telecommunications programs make it possible for students to maintain commitments to full-time jobs while completing the requirements necessary to earn a degree. Pursuing a degree in telecommunications is also useful for pursuing many other related careers including computer programming, telecommunications systems managing, computer software engineering, and communication line and equipment installing.
How does a Telecommunications System work?

The goal of telecommunications is to send a message from one point to another, without losing or altering any part of the message in the process. Four components are necessary to construct a telecommunications system: a transmitter, a channel, a line and a receiver. A transmitter is a device that codes the message into a signal. A channel then modifies and degrades the signal so that it may be connected to the line. A line, then, is the route the signal takes to get to the receiver. The receiver is equipped with a decoding ability that makes it possible to recover the original message. Once the signal is decoded by the receiver the process is complete, the message has been transported from one point to another.
Trends for Telecommunications Careers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, career opportunities for qualified telecommunication related careers are projected to grow approximately 7% through 2012. This statistic indicates that telecommunications career opportunity is less than the overall job growth prediction of 16% for combined industries. The demand for high-capacity residential and business services is expected to increase, and this will result in advances and upgrades in telecommunications networks.

Additionally, the demand for wireless service will increase rapidly and significantly, so the wireless facet of the telecommunications industry is expected to grow steadily. The biggest impairment of employment growth in the telecommunications industry will be the advancement of technology.

Improved services, including fiber-optic lines and advanced equipment with vastly improved data transmissions capacity will increase the productivity of services, but stunt employment growth. As technology continues to impact and influence telecommunications, professionals with the most current technical skills and training will have the best opportunities for employment and career growth.
Preparing for Telecommunications School

To achieve success in a telecommunications career, quality training is a necessity. Telecommunications professionals rely on technical, business, scientific and communications skills and these are skills best developed in a telecommunications degree program. An excellent telecommunications degree program also provides students with an opportunity to fuse academics with important technical and hands-on training.

Properly preparing for a telecommunications major will enhance a student's ability to succeed and obtain the training necessary to enjoy a productive career in this industry. A student considering the pursuit of a telecommunications degree should contemplate the following preparation tips and strategies.

When considering a career in any field, whether it is in law, education, or technology, successful students carefully consider the depth of their personal and career interests. While working in telecommunications can be fast-paced, exciting, and challenging to technically savvy professionals, potential students should engage in a degree program with a clear notion of what the work entails.

Telecommunications professionals must be committed to continually familiarizing themselves with the latest technology, and to developing the ability to adjust and adapt to evolving industry. Taking this into consideration, successful students in telecommunications degree programs are inspired by the challenge of developing and implementing new industry technologies, effectively communicating, and pursuing constant training and additional coursework to update technical skills.

Second, earning a college degree in telecommunications includes committed and thorough study of advanced computer science, telecommunications systems, business, business law, and industry technology. Future telecommunications students should find these subjects intriguing and thrive in related high school courses. Proper preparation for earning a telecommunications degree includes high school courses in math, science, computers, communications and social sciences.

A third way to prepare for an education in telecommunications is to compare and contrast all potential degree programs and schools to find the best personal fit. Students should note that education is an investment. They should realize that selecting the right school is essential to success and career preparation. This preparation is also a good way for a student to figure out what qualities are desirable in a degree program.

After identifying such qualities, this type of research will help a future student prepare a list of questions to ask admissions counselors to assist in his final choice of degree program. Admittedly, researching and comparing several schools takes much time and effort, but the more information a student can gather about potential telecommunications degree programs, the better informed his decision will be.

Fourth, it is also a good idea for individuals interested in pursuing a telecommunications career to speak with a current industry professional. Students will benefit from seeking out an opportunity to ask a telecommunications professional questions about day-to-day job tasks, opportunities for career advancement, additional education and training requirements, and everything else a student would want to know about his or her future career.

Many high schools also help students with this career preparation by offering job shadowing opportunities. In a job shadowing experience a student is typically given the opportunity to spend the day with a professional and observe common practices and routines. Participating in this sort of career investigative research will provide a complete picture of a potential telecommunication student's future career opportunities.

Hope this helps! ;)