Telecommunications Carriers Managers

Description

Telecommunications is something we often hear about, but what is it? Basically, telecommunications is the use of technology to extend the distance over which humans or computers can communicate. But there's nothing basic about the equipment: we're talking lasers, fibre optic cables, cellular stations, and stationary satellites. Managers with experience in this dynamic industry will be in high demand for many years to come.

Telecommunications has come to mean more than voice transmission -- it now encompasses video and data transmission as well. Managers of a telecommunications department or facility are responsible for the efficient operation of equipment and the performance of staff with knowledge in laser technology, fibre optics, cellular technology, software design, computer programming, sales, data compression, etc. Managers themselves might come from any one of these or other backgrounds.

Specific duties

Telecommunications carriers managers perform some or all of the following duties:

• plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of a telecommunications establishment, department or facility
  
• consult with senior managers to establish policies concerned with the development, operation and maintenance of telecommunications services
  
• direct and control telecommunications traffic volume and flow within assigned area, through subordinate supervisors and technical staff
  
• analyze and evaluate telecommunications installation, operation and maintenance services and make recommendations for improvement
  
• ensure compliance with telecommunications regulations and directives of government regulatory agencies
  
• liaise with representatives of related or connecting companies to resolve joint telecommunications problems and ensure efficient telecommunications system operations
  
• recruit personnel and oversee their training.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Arts Managers
• Financial & Other Business Services Managers
• Telecommunications Installation & Repair Workers
• Telecommunications Line & Cable Workers

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3U English, Grade 11, University Preparation or EPS3O Presentation and Speaking Skills, Grade 11, Open	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4U English, Grade 12, University Preparation or EWC4C The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, College Preparation or EWC4U The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or MCR3U Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or MDM4U Mathematics of Data Management, Grade 12, University Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SBI3C Biology, Grade 11, College Preparation or SBI3U Biology, Grade 11, University Preparation or SCH3U Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or SPH3U Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation	SBI4U Biology, Grade 12, University Preparation or SCH4C Chemistry, Grade 12, College Preparation or SCH4U Chemistry, Grade 12, University Preparation or SES4U Earth and Space Science, Grade 12, University Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or SPH4C Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation or SPH4U Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation
Optional
BBI1O, BBI2O Introduction to Business, Gr. 9 or 10, Open or BTT1O, BTT2O Information and Communication Technology in Business, Grade 9 or 10, Open or TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TCJ2O Construction Technology, Grade 10, Open or TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TIK2O Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open or TMJ2O Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open	BAF3M Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or BDP3O Entrepreneurship: The Enterprising Person, Grade 11, Open or BTA3O Information and Communication Technology: The Digital Environment, Grade 11, Open or TCJ3C Construction Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TMJ3C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation	BAT4M Financial Accounting Principles, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or BBB4M International Business Fundamentals, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or BDV4C Entrepreneurship: Venture Planning in an Electronic Age, Grade 12, College Preparation or BOH4M Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or BTX4C Information and Communication Technology: Multimedia Solutions, Grade 12, College Preparation or TCJ4C Construction Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TGJ4M Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TMJ4C Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation

* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate maths in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate science courses in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission

* students should consider options from Social Sciences, The Arts, History etc.

Post-secondary options

• A university degree in science, electrical engineering or a related field is usually required.
  
• Several years of experience in a related technical profession, including supervisory experience, are usually required.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
Algoma University	Science (B.Sc.)
Brock University	Physics (B.Sc.)
Carleton University	Engineering: Communications Engineering (B.Eng.) Engineering: Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) Physics (Experimental) (Honours B.Sc.)
Queen's University	Physics (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.)
Royal Military College of Canada	Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) Physics (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.)
Ryerson University	Continuing Education - Information & Telecommunications Management for Business Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.)
Trent University	Physics (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.) Science (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.)
University of Guelph	Physics (B.Sc., Co-op) Physics, Computing and Communications (B.Sc. (Tech), Co-op only)
University of Guelph-Humber	Computing (Honours B.A.Comp./ Diploma in Wireless & Telecommunications Technology)
University of Ottawa	Electrical Engineering & Computing Technology (B.Sc., B.A.Sc.) Electrical Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Science (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.)

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Useful experience for telecommunications managers includes electrical or electronic work, computer work and telecommunications work. Progression to senior management positions in telecommunications is possible with experience.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

These managers are employed by wired, wireless, satellite and other telecommunications carriers.

Work environment

The working environment may be an office, workshop, or anywhere installation or repairs are taking place, with regular hours. This industry is changing rapidly, with new technologies making systems and equipment obsolete relatively quickly. It's important to be able to adapt to these changes. As a manager, you might have contact with a great number and variety of people, from other members of your company's team, to the people you supervise, to customers.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

director, switching systems
facilities manager, telecommunications
installation manager, telecommunications
manager, network installation
manager, telecommunications services
microwave facilities manager
network operations manager
network services manager
operations and transmission services manager
regional manager - telecommunications system
telecommunications manager
telephone company district manager

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Canadian Association of Broadcasters
  An interesting, informative site. The CAB represents the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private television and radio stations and networks, and specialty, pay and pay-per-view television services. Has information on industry issues such as Canadian content, and social policy issues such as cultural diversity and violence.

• Canadian Technology Human Resources Board
  Be sure to check out their Look Ahead, Get Ahead (under Career Choices on left nav.) for terrific info about wide-open choices available.

• Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

• Telecommunications Workers Union