What can you do with a Telecommunications Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Telecommunications Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 70 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Telecommunications Engineering graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 62% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Telecommunications Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Telecommunications Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 96%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from CUNY New York City College of Technology with a Bachelor of Technology - BTech in Telecommunications Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Field Support Engineer
Tech Data
Apr 2018 - Sep 2018
As a Field Support Engineer at Tech Data, some technical skills from telecommunications engineering may be applicable, but the core qualifications of the role do not revolve around telecommunications knowledge.

Global Technical Support
Bloomberg LP
Oct 2018 - Dec 2021
In the Global Technical Support position at Bloomberg LP, extensive use of telecommunications knowledge and skills is crucial for the job, making it directly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Enterprise Data Support
Bloomberg LP
Dec 2021 - Present
The Enterprise Data Support role at Bloomberg LP requires a strong understanding of telecommunications systems and data management, aligning closely with the skills developed during the Telecommunications Engineering program.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Telecommunications Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the job profiles of people who graduated with degrees in Telecommunications Engineering, a mixed bag of career paths becomes apparent. Many individuals have ventured into roles that, while they may seem somewhat related, don't necessarily utilize the core skills and specific technical knowledge associated with their degree on a daily basis. This trend highlights a lack of direct alignment between their educational training and their job functions post-graduation.

There's a noticeable trend where many graduates hold positions in sales, project management, or even software development that only grazes the surface of their telecommunications training. For example, roles like Technical Sales Specialist or Product Manager might employ soft skills honed during their studies, but they rarely dive deep into technical know-how. On the flip side, roles like Network Engineer or Telecommunications Engineer clearly tap into the specifics of telecommunications, making them highly relevant and aligned with the educational background. However, these positions seem to be less common among this group as they move into more diverse sectors like IT support, technical sales, or management where the connection to telecommunications engineering weakens.

It’s interesting to note that while many began their careers in positions directly tied to their field, they often migrated towards roles in management, sales, or software development that don’t closely mirror the foundational principles taught in telecommunications engineering programs. As a result, it's fair to say that while there are certainly pathways that maintain a direct relevance to the degree, a significant portion of these telecommunications graduates find themselves in roles where their degree may not be applied in the way one would expect. All things considered, there's an apparent discrepancy between the degree's intended application and actual job fulfillment among telecommunications engineers in the current job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Telecommunications Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Telecommunications Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates in Telecommunications Engineering, there's a pretty clear picture that emerges. Many of these individuals tend to land jobs that are directly or indirectly related to their degrees. For instance, right after graduation, a lot of these graduates kick off their careers in technical roles like Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, or Software Development positions. As seen in the profiles, jobs like Telecommunications Network Analyst or Technical Support roles were relatively common first-step jobs, suggesting that fresh graduates are often trying to get their hands dirty right in the tech field.

As time progresses—say around 5 to 10 years into their careers—many of these graduates start to climb the professional ladder. They often transition into mid to higher-level positions like Project Manager, Senior Engineer, or Consultant. For example, several graduates from the same list have moved into managerial roles or specialized positions, proving that they not only remained in relevant fields but also advanced their careers significantly. However, there are also individuals who, rather than sticking strictly to a telecommunications path, have ventured into areas like project management, quality assurance, or software development, which may not be directly aligned with their original degree but still utilizes their technical skills.

That said, we can't ignore a segment of these graduates who have taken quite different paths. For instance, some ended up in roles that seem to diverge significantly from engineering, like positions in marketing or sales, which could indicate either a shift in interest or perhaps challenges in finding relevant positions in their field. In contrast, many graduates have indeed built successful careers within the telecom and tech industry, suggesting that a Telecommunications Engineering degree can be a solid launchpad into a multifaceted and evolving job market.

How hard is a Telecommunications Engineering degree?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering can be a pretty challenging ride, especially if you're not super into math and physics, because there’s a lot of that involved! You’ll dive into topics like signal processing and network design, which can be tough if you don't have a solid foundation in those areas. However, if you have a genuine interest in technology and communications, you might find it engaging and not too grindy compared to some other engineering degrees. Just be ready for some late nights with homework and projects, but it’s definitely manageable if you stay organized and seek help when you need it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Telecommunications Engineering.

Do Telecommunications Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

Alright, let's break this down. From what I see, some grads appear to be doing pretty well, especially those with a background in software engineering or high-end project management. For instance, people who graduated from notable universities like Rochester Institute of Technology and Huawei seem to have solid, upward career paths. Graduates from universities with strong tech programs often land jobs at big companies like Google and Microsoft, which usually means they’re earning decent salaries, likely in the six-figure range as they gain experience.

On the flip side, there are graduates from places who have taken roles that don't seem to offer great pay. For instance, some of the roles in technical support or lower-tier positions don't typically come with high salaries. They might be gaining experience, but it looks like they might be struggling financially at least for the first few years out of school. Overall, while some graduates are clearly raking it in, others are still working their way up and may not be making much yet. It's a mixed bag for sure!

What buzzwords do Telecommunications Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Telecommunications Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Telecommunications Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Telecommunications Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Telecommunications Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count