Career in Information Technology: Q& A – Pt 1

What is value of certification for careers in the telecommunications sector? What is your take on the Nigeria Computer Society? How important are professional bodies in our quest for growth and relevance in the Information Technology field? This discourse will look at questions that raise these important career development issues. IT certification attracts a lot of interest and is a popular and powerful career tool. Interest always generates questions. How does certification connect in telecommunications? How many people working in the IT industry (aspiring IT professionals, experienced IT professionals, entrepreneurs and IT managers) understand and appreciate the need for professional bodies such as the Nigeria Computer Society? How should we use these tools to enhance our career growth? The questions cannot be ignored – they loom large. It is expected that answers to these critical career questions should give a better understanding of the issues involved. The focus is on benefiting from the opportunities in the knowledge environment.

Certifications for a Career in Telecommunications

Question:

Kudos to Jidaw for the great impact it is having on shaping lives and future in the IT world. Thanks to Jidaw I completed my A+ program sometime ago. I subsequently attended a tertiary institution and I am now a graduate of Electrical/Electronic Engineering. My interest is in getting a job and developing a career in Telecommunications. How should I proceed? In particular, which specialisations and certifications should I consider? – From K. ABU – a Proudly Jidaw Alumni

Answer:

Thank you K. ABU, for your kind words of appreciation. We commend you on your achievements so far as well as your interest in building a career in telecommunications. Your focus and commitment is required to fulfill your purpose. Stay on track, be dedicated, You will get there. A wide range of technical opportunities exist in the telecom industry. The value of technical qualifications such as certifications and tech degrees will depend on the particular organisation and its policies. So the following suggestions are purely advisory.

Generally, vendor specific telecom certifications are offered directly by telecom vendors such as Alcatel, Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, etc. The scenario is one in which vendors would normally train their own staff as well as students sent to them by service providers using their equipment – such as Glo and Etisalat using Alcatel equipment or Zain using Ericsson equipment, etc.

Each organisation in this sector runs its own initial training program for newly recruited tech personnel that are starting as freshers. Usually it is when one is employed in such organisations that one is exposed to solid training on specific telecom vendor equipment.

Recruitment Criteria for Tech jobs & careers in Telecommunications

The criteria for employing such newcomers may not necessarily include telecom certification. For fresh intakes in technical areas, companies usually consider a formal education background in tertiary education programmes such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering as well as aptitude and other recruitment tests. The actual recruitment requirements are internal matters that vary from company to company. For example, some companies may insist that the fresh graduate must have achieved at least a specific class of degree or its equivalent in the higher institution. With some organisations, these recruitment specifications are used to raise entry standards or simply to reduce the number of applications from newcomers – (the number competing for tech jobs in telecom is significantly higher than the number of available tech jobs in telecom.) .

Having relevant, appropriate training and certification can also confer advantage. For example, an individual seeking telecom job opportunity could invest in standard training and certification. The essence is to equip one with a foundation that could be useful for practical work with any of the vendor equipment used in the telecom space. You find such tech programs that can help with entry to telecom in the areas of networking and internetworking. I am sure you know Jidaw runs some of these IT training programs. The convergence of telecommunications and computer communication which has created many new technologies, opportunities and connections involving telecom, software, internet makes this possible.

Standard programs covering Internetworking Fundamentals / IP Networking – Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the obvious and popular option for many. CCNA provides a solid foundation and inside information for the knowledge of Cisco networking for internetworking involving routers and switches.

Other programs include:

> Network Management – Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Network+, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). Network+ equips the candidate with knowledge and skills for managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring network infrastructure. MCTS certification validates expertise on relevant specialist Microsoft product or technology

> Security Fundamentals – CompTIA Security+, CCNA Security. Security+ is the recognised top entry-level, vendor-neutral certification for security in the IT environment covering network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, application, data and host security, access control and identity management and cryptography. CCNA security confirms that a network professional has the ability to develop a security infrastructure, recognise threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats in Cisco networks.

> VSAT Field Engineering – equips you with practical skills for setting up and configuring live VSAT installations. Topics covered include network Architecture, concepts, equipment terminology, use of precision instruments, site survey, site Commissioning and Field Engineering Skills.

> Fibre Optics Fundamentals – provides foundational knowledge of fibre optic theory, codes, cables, test equipment, standards and practices

> VoIP & VPN – CCNA VOICE – the CCNA Voice certification confirms that the required skill set for specialised job roles in voice technologies and validates Cisco associate- level knowledge and skills required to administer a voice network.

> Wireless, RF Planning & Implementation – Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) / CCNA Wireless. CWNA validates the skills to successfully survey, install, and administer wireless networks. CCNA Wireless competencies include: WLAN fundamentals; installing a basic Cisco wireless LAN; installing wireless Clients; implementing basic WLAN Security; operating basic WCS; conducting basic WLAN maintenance and troubleshooting.

More areas of interest to consider are: Transmission Engineering, Radio Base Station Configuration, Structured cabling, GSM Engineering, etc.

Advantage but No Guarantees

Note that these options should be used in a foundational manner and are not specific or guarantees for any telecom vendor; they are also not necessarily restricted to the telecom environment. In the competitive environment for jobs in telecom, the certification can be an advantage and a sign of initiative. However, there are no guarantees as requirements vary from one organisation to another. Having realistic expectations are some of the issues Jidaw stresses in its career empowerment programs. Several telecom companies will ask newcomers for CCNA or a relevant certification mentioned above in addition to formal education, some will not.

In addition, you should know that telecommunications cover a wide area. Jidaw keeps emphasising the need for local human capital in telecom and ICT at various fora. People, not infrastructure, are the real backbone. Telecom opportunities exist in some of these areas because of poor telecom infrastructure, and the huge demand for telecom access by the public and the growing influx of electronic services (e-payments, e-business, etc).

Planning for the Vast Telecom Space

Rapid growth in the telecom has been a major driver behind the emergence of global digital economy. Telecom comprises many different but often interconnected areas. The convergence of telecommunication and computer communication has further deepened the extent and impact of telecom. The reality is that telecom engineering encompasses the technologies, networks and techniques used to achieve voice, wireless and data communications. Popular standards/ technologies of importance include Cable (Fibre optics), cellular, GSM, TDMA, CDMA, Bluetooth, PDH, GPRS, Satellite Communications (VSAT), Wireless, Radio, Towers and Masts, etc.

It is a fast changing field and so interested individuals must have the desire to learn and develop new knowledge on an ongoing basis. Also it requires a resourceful and problem solving attitude. Planning too requires management and organisation skills. And do not rule out travel and the physical. Quite a few opportunities require physical field installation and inspection. And for telecom engineers, especially those who work with customers and are involved in sales, good communications and people skills are a must.

Because of the significance of telecom infrastructure in all that we do, the work requires analytical thinking as well as the ability to work and solve problems under pressure and respond quickly to issues. As noted above, significant overlaps exist between telecom engineering and computer networking; convergence too has its requirements. The fact that most modern telecom equipment works with computers has also made above average computer skills a necessity for telecom engineers.

Activity is high in telecom. Everybody is talking. Everybody is connecting. But do not get carried away with popularity and the noise of the crowd. The issue is that you need to have a plan and choose options that best fit into your path. Employ options that improve your chances while you market yourself for opportunity. Job search for telecom opportunity can be very competitive so as we stress during Jidaw’s FREE IT Career Seminar – go beyond the technical – position yourself and take marketing yourself and using your personal networks serious.

Just as you have asked Jidaw this question, keep digging for information that will you help you make the right choices. Do your research on the various areas and know which area interests you: Voice, data networks, cabling, Wireless, Mobile telephony, VSAT?

Telecommunications engineers design, implement and manage telecommunications equipment, software and systems to meet communication needs. However, the nature of work varies extensively. Work could be design of mobile phones, VSAT installation, fibre installation, tower equipment manufacture, equipment/network maintenance, RF optimization and support, research and development, analysing customer needs, network planning, project implementation, telecommunications analysis and management, etc. Obviously job requirements will also vary widely.

It is about being able to manage, maintain and design the systems that transfer and store voice, data and other forms of information for networks and many other uses.

Your desire and commitment are important. Use avenues like the seminar for information and direction. The seminar is designed to answer the questions regarding career choices and give you direction so that your efforts and resources are not wasted. Career growth and achievement is more than just a certificate. It is beyond training and certification.

In doing your research, talk to those working in these companies and consider their recruitment policies and nature of work. Check out Jobs in Telecom resource. As you must know at Jidaw, we encourage resourcefulness and creativity. More knowledge! More power! There is nothing cast in stone. Issues mentioned are purely suggestions based on my opinion. The ball is in your court. Use this information, open your eyes, follow the clues, see the pattern, and create your own path. Maintain focus, be committed. You will get there!