Making the most of telecommunications education and training is essential for those people who want to advance in the career. You develop a solid foundation in the field, come in contact with and learn from industry experts and stay on top of the ever-changing industry through a dynamic curriculum. Areas of discipline include emerging wireless and broadband technologies, fiber optics, voice over IP technologies, end user computing and end user information systems.

The get the most out of telecommunications training, it's important to create a well-balanced training curriculum which combines hands-on learning and book learning. Often, it's the hands-on work experience that helps you figure out exactly what role you want to have in the telecommunications industry. You also open yourself up to learning far more than you would in a classroom.

1. Pursue advanced telecommunications education and training courses to further your career

2. Use the expertise of those in your courses in telecommunications to help you learn even more

3. Include seminars and internships to telecommunications training to learn hands-on

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Focus on your training in telecommunications to absorb as much as possible

In addition to taking every telecommunications training course you can, it's essential to take advantage of internships and telecom seminars. That's where you'll really learn about the industry and make contacts that will pay off big when looking for future career opportunities.

I recommend: Every telecommunications student at Bowling Green State University has to complete up to six credit hours at an approved internship. Search for telecommunications jobs and internships through Learn 4 Good. University of Kentucky telecommunications students have to apply through the university for internships.

Develop relationships with experts and industry leaders through your telecommunication classes

Experts in the field teach telecommunications courses. Whether you're a freshman just learning about the industry for the first time or an experienced professional trying to advance your degree, take advantage of the opportunities offered.

I recommend: Boston University's graduate program offers a Master of Science Telecommunications degree, taught by some of the best in the field. North Carolina School of Telecommunications started in 2003 and offers a curriculum of several telecommunication courses.

Become a leader by taking advanced telecommunication courses

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees take telecommunication classes to an entirely new level. They provide people the opportunity to serve the telecommunications profession as a leader and the opportunity to provide novel research to help advance the field.

I recommend: University of Pittsburgh offers advanced training in telecommunications with its Telecommunications and Networking graduate program. Check out Pace University's Advanced Certificate in Emerging Telecommunications Technology through NACTEL or National Coalition for Telecommunications Technologies. It's open to engineers and technicians working in the field.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sign up for as many telecommunications seminars as possible to learn about recent advances in networking and telecom.

A career in telecommunications is a promising one, since communication options are constantly changing and growing. Proper training in telecommunications either in a classroom or in the field is a necessity for a career in this industry.

Those interested in a career in telecommunications have many options for telecommunications education. When searching for telecommunications education and training programs, you must:

1. Compare and contrast all relative programs and telecommunication courses.
2. Determine the depth of your personal and career interest in telecommunications.
3. Have a reasonable interest in other areas related to telecommunications as well such as computer science, business and technology.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete a certificate program in telecom education

A certificate program provides training in telecommunications for technical careers in telecom installation, repair technicians, cable splicers and mechanical engineers.

I recommend: Complete a certificate program online from University of Massachusetts or Evotem.

Work toward an Associate's degree in telecommunications

These telecommunication courses will provide you with a basic knowledge of telecommunications systems, technologies and industry trends. An Associate's degree ensures an entry-level position in telecommunications, and provides more opportunity for advancement within the field.

I recommend: Choose an Associate's degree program online from schools that include National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Training. ITT Technical Institute and Westwood College.

Get a Bachelor's degree

Bachelor of Science telecommunications training courses focus on telecom fundamentals, technology applications, management training, engineering and communications.

I recommend: Find the best Bachelor's degree programs in telecommunications at Ellis College, Weber State University or Murray State University.

Get a Master's degree in telecommunications

A Master's in telecommunications can prepare you for a career in telecommunications management. The program provides in-depth training in telecommunications, business and management training.

I recommend: Get a Master's degree from DePaul University, Pace University or Ball State.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be able to adjust and adapt to a changing industry.
• •  Speak to telecommunications professionals about their daily jobs.
• •  Shadow a telecommunications professional to see what the job is like.

Pricing and costs of telecommunications education and training range depending on whether you want a certificate, Associates or Bachelors Degree. You'll learn advanced circuit analysis, electronic circuit design, digital communication systems, communications cabling, wireless communications and data and network communications.

Telecommunications education and training provides you with the opportunity to start a career as a telecommunications technician, electronics engineering technologist or communication systems technologist among others. As technology advances, so do the requirements to qualify for many of the telecommunications jobs out there. Thus, it's important to keep your education current. Even if you're already working in the field, it'll benefit you to pursue telecom education to learn more. It does come at a cost, though.

1. Know that telecommunications training varies in price depending on how many courses you take

2. Pay per credit for beginner and advanced telecommunication classes

3. Attend telecommunication class, knowing that financial aid is available to help you pay the bill

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain training in telecommunications from the comfort of your own home

Online telecommunications education and training provides you with quality education on your time schedule. Earn certification through E-learning resources, courses and seminars for careers in mechanical engineers, telecom installation, cable splicers and repair technicians.

I recommend: World Wide Learn is a directory of online courses in telecommunications. University of Massachusetts' Certificate in Contemporary Communications costs just about $300 per credit plus fees. Total course cost is approximately $1,000.

Further telecommunications training into a degree to advance your career

Telecommunication classes provide you with knowledge of telecommunications technologies, systems and industry news and trends. If you earn an Associate's degree, you'll be ready for an entry-level position in the field, but Bachelor of Science telecommunications courses prepare you to design and implement telecommunications systems. You learn data networking, communications protocol, digital signal processing, digital compression algorithms and programming languages.

I recommend: ITT Technical Institute offers an Associates Degree program in the Electronics and Communications Engineering Technology field. Speak with an admissions counselor about tuition and financial aid opportunities. Get a Telecommunications System Management career by attending class in person or online at Murray State University. Use the cost calculator to determine what the Bachelor's Degree will cost. Universities.com links you to telecommunications courses and degree programs.

Apply for financial aid when seeking training in telecommunications

Telecommunication courses traditionally cost between $300 and $500 per credit. Bachelors Degrees require 120 credit hours. If you do the math, a four-year degree in telecommunications can easily run you about $50,000. Most programs have some sort of financial aid available. Check with the institution's financial aid office to determine eligibility.

I recommend: Cardean University has a telecom education Bachelor's program that costs approximately $425 per credit. Learn more at DistanceEducation.org. University of Pittsburgh has a web-based financial aid application program for its Telecommunications and Networking graduate program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider taking telecommunication courses at the local community college to earn an Associates Degree, then transferring to a Bachelors program for your advanced degree. This will save you money.

Telecommunications is a fast growing field that includes all types of electronic communications, from telephones to the Internet. There is a variety of specialties available through telecommunications training programs. People can train to repair and install physical hardware, learn how to manage telecommunications systems, and even begin research and development of new technologies. Education and training opportunities are also available for professionals after graduation. These can be found through continuing education opportunities and professional industry organizations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Certificate program

A certificate program is a basic set of courses designed to provide quick and efficient training for a particular skill. Those that hold a certificate in telecommunications are trained for installation and repair of hardware systems.

I recommend: The University of Massachusetts outlines its telecommunications certificate program.

Associate's degree in telecommunications

An associate's degree program is usually a two-year program that trains a student for an entry level job in telecommunications. This training includes basic and advanced knowledge of systems and current industry trends.

I recommend: Springfield Technical Community College provides information on its associates program in telecommunications.

Bachelor's degree in telecommunications

A bachelor's degree in telecommunications is a four-year program that trains students to work in a variety of positions in the industry. A bachelor's degree offers advanced topics on the engineering of telecommunications systems.

I recommend: Pace University provides prerequisites and learning objectives for its bachelor's degree in telecommunications.

Masters degree in telecommunications

A masters degree in telecommunications offers students a chance to learn more about managing a telecommunications company. A masters degree moves past the technical aspects of the field and teaches management and business skills.

I recommend: Learn about the master's degree program in telecommunications from the University of Maryland.

Continuing education

Continuing education is a program that offers additional training for telecommunications professionals. Some telecommunications jobs require employees to earn a specific number of continuing education credits per year.

I recommend: The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of Boston provides continuing education courses for those in telecommunications to keep their skills marketable.

Telecommunications Industry Association

The Telecommunications Industry Association is one of many professional organizations for those that work in the telecommunications industry. This organization offers education, government standards and networking opportunities for members.

I recommend: The Telecommunications Industry Association provides certification training in convergence for all telecommunications employees.