Jobs and Careers Summer 2021 - 135

How much can I earn? Starting salaries are usually
around the £18,000 mark, but there are opportunities for
career progress - managers can make around £38,000.
BUSINESS SALES EXECUTIVE
This area is an example of how much telecoms has changed.
Thirty years ago, every company just had a phone connection.
Now there are a huge variety of products available to facilitate
business operations, and it's a sales executive's job to ensure
that each company gets the right ones. You'll need to be
familiar with every package, to identify and secure clients and
to build lasting relationships with them. Planning, forecasting
and hitting your targets are all crucial aspects of the job.
What qualifi cations and skills do I need? Skills are more
important than qualifi cations, although sales apprenticeships
and marketing HNDs are available. Communication,
presentation and interpersonal skills are all prized, and
computer literacy, motivation and customer service expertise
will help you succeed. Employers often supply training.
How much can I earn? Starting salaries are around £15,000,
but the sky's the limit if you're dedicated to your career - top
sales managers can make more than £100,000 a year.
TELECOMS ENGINEER
Engineers are key, responsible for installing and maintaining
networks. They build and test equipment, prepare technical
documentation and deliver services to businesses. You can focus
on fi xed-line or wireless technology (or become an expert in
both) and at a higher level you can specialise in the design and
development of new devices and hardware.
" Computer literacy is key, and
you'll need to demonstrate
initiative and analytical
thinking - and don't forget
the customer service aspect "
What qualifi cations and skills do I need? You'll start at a
higher level if you have a degree in engineering or a related
subject, but you certainly don't need one. You can apprentice
as a technician or cable installer, and companies off er lots of
on-the-job training. Computer literacy is key, and you'll need to
demonstrate initiative
and analytical thinking
- and don't forget the
customer service aspect.
How much can I
earn? Around £21,000
at entry level. If you
become a chartered
engineer then you
can earn at least
£40,000 and as much
as £70,000.
Find out more
* Chartered Institute
for IT bcs.org
* Federation of Communication
Services fcs.org.uk
* Spring Technology
spring.com
* Technical Resources
technicalresources.co.uk
" We are spending
more of our
time online - to
work, learn,
entertain ourselves and keep in touch
with others. This means the security
and resilience of our communications
networks are crucial, not only to meet
growing demands but also to help
prevent and deal with security threats.
" This is an exciting time for Ofcom as
we get ready to receive strengthened
powers later this year to make sure
communications providers continue to
invest in the security of their networks.
" As director of network security,
I am building the capacity and
capability in my team, looking to
recruit talented and diverse specialists
in this exciting and growing area.
" The culture at Ofcom is shaped by
fi ve corporate values - excellence, agility,
collaboration, empowerment and respect
- and we provide opportunities to work
across a broad range of interesting areas.
The fl exible working arrangements at
Ofcom enable people to achieve a good
work/life balance. Ofcom will be opening
a new tech hub in Manchester later in
2021 and I will be looking to expand
the team across our London offi ce
and our new Manchester location. "
jobsandcareersmag.com /// JOBS & CAREERS /// 135
" The security and
resilience of our
communications
networks are crucial "
Nihal Newman
is the director of
network security
at Ofcom
http://www.bcs.org http://fcs.org.uk http://www.spring.com http://technicalresources.co.uk http://www.jobsandcareersmag.com
Jobs and Careers Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Summer 2021
