The telecommunications industry is rapidly expanding beyond traditional voice telephone services. The widespread installation of fiber optic cables has made possible the rapid transmission a variety of materials including data, graphics, and even video. In addition, the expansion of wireless networks has increased the need for more and more radio towers and satellites.

These and other developments create a need for a large number of skilled workers in a wide variety of areas: administrative support; production, craft, and repair; management; marketing and sales; computer science; and electrical and electronic engineering.

Employment in the telecommunications industry is expected to increase 23 percent over the period 1998 to 2008, compared to 15 percent for all industries combined. Growth may be attributed to the increasing demand for high-capacity communications and the resultant expansion of telecommunications networks.

As technology continues to transform the industry, employment of operators and other central office personnel will decline as services become automated. In contrast, employment of line and equipment installers and repairers as well as engineers and computer professionals should increase as networks expand.

While job responsibilities vary widely, employees in the telecommunication industry should be flexible, have good communication skills, and be willing to keeping their job skills up to date as technology changes.

While the specific skills required of telecommunications employees varies by occupation, employees with knowledge of computer programming and software design, voice telephone technology (telephony), laser and fiber optic technology, wireless technology, data compression, and telecommunications terminology are in high demand.

The level of education that one needs to work in the telecommunications industry various greatly by occupation. Most jobs require a high school education, but others require particular skills that may only be mastered after years of experience. On-the-job training and apprenticeships may be available in some areas; and some 2- and 4-year colleges and trade schools also offer training programs.

Telecommunications professionals should have a college education.

Employees in the telecommunications sector usually benefit from relatively stable, year-round employment. They may be required to work overtime from time to time, they and may be called into work with little notice especially during emergencies such as floods or hurricanes.