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What They Do

Insider Info

Telecommunications managers plan and direct the use of evolving communications technologies and make sure they're reliably connected to each other. These managers are the link between the businesses that use telecommunications technologies and the companies that provide them.

"My main responsibilities are handling all help desk [questions] that come into the telecommunications help desk, completing any adds, moves, and changes to the lines within the building, maintaining the call accounting database, inputting work orders, generating monthly billing, [and] ordering necessary equipment as needed," says Janay Doctor. She's a telecommunications manager in Philadelphia.

Some telecommunications managers work directly for phone companies or long-distance carriers. They may manage a client's telecommunication needs on an on-call or on-site basis.

On-site telecommunications managers typically work exclusively for one large company or organization. This is the case for Laura Geery-Larson, vice-president of telecommunications for the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

"You need to understand how the phone companies provision circuits and how they integrate into the equipment," says Geery-Larson. "They are very elementary [technical skills]. I mean, you need to understand how wiring infrastructure [works]. You need to learn how use your tools -- screwdrivers, punch tools, things like that."

The telecommunications manager often acts as an expert shopper, pricing out the best long-distance and internet packages for their employers.

Price isn't the only consideration. Good service is essential to avoiding downtime and lost revenues.

Giving good service means being able to understand a customer's needs. A manager has to analyze and evaluate business needs and be able to recommend solutions. This requires a good understanding of the technology -- but it doesn't mean you have to know how to fix it yourself.

At the same time, telecommunications managers increasingly have IT backgrounds as companies are using internet-based communications solutions rather than traditional phone lines.

With the merging of IT and telecom, large organizations are increasingly making telecom one of the responsibilities of a senior-level officer within the company.

"What we're seeing these days is a chief operations officer or a chief technology officer who would have the mandate for both the telecom, the voice side of the house, and data, the IT side of the house, and then [they] have business unit managers reporting to them," says telecommunications consultant John Glover.

Some telecommunications managers are self-employed (such as Glover). They act as consultants to businesses and organizations of all sizes.

Often, choosing a telecommunications solution is about finding the right balance between price and reliability. Telecommunications managers must work overtime when problems arise.

People with special needs in the area of movement may still be able to do this job. For those with visual or hearing needs, interaction with customers and clients will pose some challenges. This is a fairly stressful job, due to the fast pace of change and the many details a manager must oversee.

At a Glance

Plan and direct the use of telecommunications technologies, from phones to the Internet

  • Continuous learning is required to keep up with changes in technology
  • A manager has to analyze and evaluate business needs and be able to recommend solutions
  • Experience in customer service and business is required

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.