The Free Press Journal Knowledge

MONDAY | FEBRUARY 25, 2013

CALLING IN QUICK
For all those who are fascinated with the way phones work, the telecom industry has a range of career opportunities to offer, finds REENA JHAVERI
Career trajectory

Sector overview

n today's information age, the telecommunication industry has a vital role to play. It is, for obvious reasons, considered the backbone of the country's development - whether industrial or economic. Telecommunication, as we can all make out, is a combination of two words, and in the modern era, it refers to the mode of transferring information by electronic means - whether through the voice telephone or the internet. The sector today, along with government and private players, is responsible for revolutionising

human communication across boundaries. Even though it is one of the fastest growing industries with competitive rates in the world, according to many reports, the current telecom penetration is found to be low compared to global standards. Although the Indian telecom industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, the current teledensity or telecom penetration is extremely low when compared with global standards. So there is tremendous scope for expansion in this industry, and with that comes the growing number of jobs. The Indian telecommunications is one of the largest in the world, and the sector is

pegged to grow at a speed of 45% during the recent years. This rapid growth is possible due to various proactive and positive decisions of the government and contribution of both by the public and the private sectors. The rapid strides in the telecom sector have further benefitted from the liberal policies of the Government. These policies enalbe easy market accessibility for telecom equipment, and a regulatory framework for offering telecom services to the Indian consumers at affordable prices. It is this race that allows for creation of numerous jobs which new entrants benefit from.

A student says
Rohan Waghmare Second year engineering student
tudying telecommunication engineering is a great experience, especially after you get through the first year (two semesters), which is general engineering and then comes the specialised knowledge. The four-year electronics and telecommunication engineering degree course is divided into eight semesters. Over the years, we study subjects like Engineering Mechanics, Computer Programming, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, Workshop Practice, Digital Logic Design, Analog & Digital IC-Design & Applications, Electronic Devices & Circuits and so on. We also have electives that we can choose from and as you progress in your studies you can be fascinated by the ways in which such small circuits can rule so much in the world! The project work ranges from basic circuit design to strategic mass developments. In most colleges, there are hands on projects to learn from, and most colleges encourage their students to go out and seek internships to supplement their learning. I must say, take up this course only if you are technically oriented.

In the field
Tejas Panchal Telecommunications engineer

To get there
everal institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) are offering specialised courses in telecom, especially in engineering. For data connectivity space, additional certifications such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification may be required. You need to understand that this industry depends greatly on infrastructure and hardware that needs to be regularly updated, configured, serviced and so on. These professionals are responsible for installation, repair and maintenance. Many vocational courses are also being offered for mobile repair, since it is a huge tertiary industry and generates a lot of employment. You could also be at the other end of the spectrum - the marketing end. The marketing team is responsible for branding, communication, market research, product development and management. In most cases, these are management graduates, since they seem to have what it takes. There are specialised business management programmes being offered by institutes like Amity Business School or Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management. To become a telecommunications engineer, you need to finish class 12 (HSC or its equivalent) with physics, chemistry and maths. After that, you need to take the suitable entrance exam that applies to the institute you want to get admitted to. For the diploma programme you need to clear class ten, and the admission is based on merit, so you need to score well. For other programmes, eligibility differs with the programme.

n this field, keeping up with new knowledge is key. That's why, may companies prefer to hire those who have had some experience, even if through internships. I recall my work at a vendor maintaining sales counter of a leading mobile operator. There were hardly four regular employees at that site and I always felt like a lot depended on us. I was informed on day one that I have to learn everything on my own. Telecommunications engineering is a broad specialisation of electrical engineering encompassing the design, construction and management of systems that carry out the transmission, processing and storage of information as electrical or optical signals. Engineers in this field design build and manage systems that carry out the transmission, processing and storage of information. This is a dynamic field that changes constantly and requires the engineer to be abreast of all the new information and knowledge available. The technology being invented today is fast becoming obsolete.

The market
he telecom space generally comrpises four categoriesmobile/landline services, data connectivity, value added services and telecom equipment manufacturers. Most of the bigger players or service providers have already introduced integrated services. As of today, even though it seems that the telephone connectivity

is at its maximum with everyone and their cousins having mobile phone connections, the market that will witness growth is the date connectivity market, since it is still wide open. In this sector, you could choose to be a part of the technology team, join the marketing or sales space or be a part of the support staff. The options for working are: Technical: They are responsible for the installation, repair and maintenance of the

infrastructure. Marketing and sales: Candidates with expertise in management, economics or HR are required for these areas. Allied services: Candidates with an undergrad or postgrad degree with good communication and people skills would be ideal for this. Business development: These represent the big bosses who drive the business and come up with the new schemes.

An aspirant asks
Aditya Suri FYJC science student y cousin has studied electronics and communication engineering in Swami Vivekanand College and went abroad to pursue his master's degree abroad. He works for a worldrenowned company in the US right now. I want to be exactly like that. My parents have harboured a dream to send me to the same university abroad and have already started saving up. What are the skills required to take up this course? Professional Tejas Panchal answers: I think you have got it all wrong, I am sorry to say. While it is nice to have a role model to look up to, you are doing a complete disservice to yourself by trying to ape someone in life. Are you and your cousin the same person? If not, then why do you assume that you will like the same things that he does? Have you ever sat down to think of your own dreams away from your parents? Or have you made their dreams into yours? You need to determine what you are good at and what you like. However, if you are keenly interested in this field, you need to have project management skills, high level of technical interests, good communication skills, strong analytical skills, ability to work as part of a team, problem solving capabilities and creativity.

Remuneration
elecom networks span across multiple cultures, diverse terrains, extreme climate, all shades of political ideology and labyrinthine government regulations. This makes it a minefield of opportunities. With a rise in the number of operators, the remuneration are getting exceedingly attractive. The starting salaries range from `2.5 lakh to `6 lakh per annum. Depending on the position, the technical

staff can either be a person who has passed HSC or an an engineering graduate. The starting remuneration for those in marketing and sales range from `4 lakh to `8 lakh per annum. If you become a part of the allied services team, the salaries could range from `1.2 lakh to `2 lakh per annum, say for example for a customer care executive. Those who are part of the core business development team are the ones who are in the middle of it all. These personnel are paid commensurate to their experience and expertise.

Dear readers,

Two birds, one stone!

I am going to take my HSC exams in next year. I want to know about entrance examination for MBA Tech course offered by the Narsee Monjee Institute and job opportunities. Krishna Maniar Dear Krishna, Applicants for the full time MBATech programme must have passed 10+2 exam with science or science vocational with minimum 50 per cent. Those awaiting their 10+2 exam result this year may also apply. There will be a Written Test first. Based on the performance in the written test, candidates will be short-listed for a Personal Interview at NMIMS Campus, Mumbai. The written test is expected to assess academic skills and application in maths, physics and chemistry and there would be reasoning questions (which are not based on any academic curriculum).Those completing MBA Tech would be considered as 'Technomanagers' as they would have combined knowledge of engineering and management and would therefore be able to contribute effectively to business objectives. Log on to www.nmims.edu for a more comprehensive understanding of the programme and its objectives. Of course, the first batch has still to complete the programme, so your decision has to be based on the outline of the curriculum and the credibility of the institution.

Guiding light

Many times you may have questions related to career guidance that you are not certain whom to ask. We now have a space here for your benefit. If you have a question relating to a course, an entrance exam or the prospects and requirements of any field, do write in to our counsellor at fpjcounsellor@gmail.com

I have completed M Com from Mumbai University and was always a good student. Currently I teach students at home since I have not done BEd. I want to know how to become a career counsellor like you. I know I have the patience and interest to do it. Please guide me. Ranjana Seervai Dear Ranjana, A career counsellor would be facing clients who are making career decisions and choices or coping with life changes which relate to their working life - career changes, redundancy, unemployment and so on. PG diploma courses in guidance & counselling, PG in Psychology with specialisation in counselling or educational psychology are typical training possibilities. You could consider the Diploma in Counselling offered by the University of Mumbai, or the programme in School Counselling offered by SNDT Women's

University. In addition to your interest and patience, you should possess the capacity to assimilate and organise a large amount of constantly changing information. In order to provide clients with accurate, current and relevant information, which is crucial to career counselling and guidance, you will have to organise and update your database of career information, projections, admissions, changing selection processes, knowledge of availability of courses, educational/ professional institutions etc. Career guides and encyclopaedias available from bookstores may be used as a base but you would have to keep adding and updating all the time. Continuing education and research have to become a way of life.

Counsel queries

Presenting right
I am in final year BMM. I want to know about any field that is concerned with presentation skills and stage-talk. Do you think postgraduation in HR can help? What are the fields (in mass communication or otherwise) that would emphasise more on body language, confidence, fluency in communication and human psychology? Saraswati Bhoir Dear Saraswati, You appear confused about your career goals. You should consider MBA with HR specialisation if you are interested in a career in devising, monitoring and applying selection/ recruitment procedures,

management of change, employee relations and services such as counselling, facilities at the workplace, training and improvement schemes, etc. The course would educate you on the technicalities of HR development as also give you insights into the skills required in the field. In mass communication, public relations (PR) is a function which promotes better understanding between an organisation and the public. PR courses teach you ways to develop relationships with sections of the public whose support and goodwill is essential. A course on public speaking would focus on body language, communication skills, etc. You may consider communication management as a training option if you wish to take on the task of building brands. You could work in advertising and media, in marketing, marketing research, brand consultancy, direct marketing, PR, event and entertainment marketing, etc. Both PR and communications management courses are a logical pursuit of higher education along the lines of BMM.