Telecommunications engineers are responsible for the continual and rapid development in the science and methods of telecommunications; the general and basic planning of future expansion; the design and planning of automatic exchanges, carrier systems, telex systems, coaxial cable systems, microwave radio systems; optical fibre systems and videotext systems.
Telecommunications engineers are involved in the planning, design, commissioning and monitoring of complex telecommunications networks and associated broadcasting equipment. Many telecommunications design engineers work for major carriers as well as telecommunications and IT service providers.
Telecommunications engineering can cover any of the following fields: long distance, microwave carrier and coaxial cable systems, foreign radio communications, electronic, automatic and manual exchange switching, overhead and underground line equipment networks, and telex, telegram and data transmission systems.
Telecommunications engineers use a variety of intricate telecommunications test equipment associated with their particular discipline and computers. They work mainly in offices with excursions to the work place e.g. telephone exchanges, carrier rooms, microwave radio rooms etc.
Satisfying Aspects
- solving problems
- working with modern technology
- some opportunity to be creative
- variety and challenge of the work
- providing a service and knowing your work contributes to people communicating
- relatively good remuneration
Demanding aspects
- being office-bound at times
- working long hours to finish a project
- having to continually keep up to date in this field
Requirements
- accurate, methodical and creative
- leadership potential
- aptitude for mathematics and doing calculations
- able to interpret drawings and technical specifications
- able to visualize abstract concepts
- work well with other people
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Information Technology, Engineering and Graphic Design
Training
Degree: The 4-year BEng degree in Electrical Engineering can be followed at the UP, Wits, UKZN, US, UCT, UJ and NWU. Theoretical lectures are supplemented by tutorial classes and practical sessions that mostly take place in the laboratory.
Employer
- such organisations as Eskom, Phillips, Siemens
- other telephone companies
- cell phone companies
Contact
Any of the above-mentioned potential employers, universities and universities of technology