Graduate Telecomms Jobs

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Helping you find a career in the telecomms industry

The telecoms sector contributes over £30 billion to the UK's economy and developments in telecoms technologies impact nearly every sector in the rest of the economy. From mobile banking apps to healthcare, and from retail payments to advertising, innovations from the telecoms sector have revolutionised how customers access and use services throughout the country.

Businesses operating in the telecoms sector can be a whole range of sizes, from smaller organisations providing specific services to other businesses, to giant multi-platform PLCs (Public Limited Companies) which provide a whole range of services to consumers and operate at a large-scale (e.g. BT, Vodafone, etc.). Most of the telecoms industry is based in London and the South East of England, although there are roles and businesses operating across the country.

Currently the industry is preparing for the auction and rollout of 5G networks in the early 2020s, which will be considerably faster (it is estimated that you will be able to download a full HD feature-length film in under a minute!) and will drive innovation and commercial opportunities in much of the sector for a decade.

The telecoms sector can be fast-moving, with new products and services being developed all the time. Innovation in smartphone technology has driven lots of change already. Future smartphone innovation will mostly be invisible to the consumer, rather than related to handsets or physical technologies: sensors, connectivity and software; one of the key drivers of innovation in smartphone technology is the need to enhance user experience.

There is a full range of ‘corporate' roles available in telecoms - from finance & accounting to human resources to sales & marketing, while engineering and research & development (R&D) are critical to driving innovation and product/service development for businesses in the Telecoms industry. We are going to focus on roles in Engineering and Research & Development in the rest of this sector guide.

N Written by Navdeep

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Skills & interests required for a career in Telecomms

Engineering roles in the telecoms sector require individuals who are passionate about developing and applying new technological innovations. Engineers may work alongside academic researchers at the very forefront of cutting-edge research, so will need to be able to interpret the commercial applicability of new technologies.

Typically, Engineers or R&D professionals in the telecoms sector will need to be:

Passionate about how technological developments can change (and occasionally revolutionise!) the way in which companies do business.

Highly numerate and able to use complex data modelling programs (e.g. MATLAB, OPNET)

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Graduate schemes & other typical career progression routes in Telecomms

Larger Telecoms organisations will typically offer structured training to Engineers and Researchers through graduate recruitment programmes, often with a significant level of supervision during your early career. As you become more experienced, you will usually take greater responsibility for larger or more complex projects. At smaller organisations you will typically be more hands-on with projects from an earlier date but are quite likely to be more specialised in the technologies you will work with.

You will need to keep up with new developments in the sector, and many employers will support ongoing learning through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) schemes.

Tips for getting into the field

Arrange a meeting with your university's career advisor to discuss your interest in Engineering or R&D in the Telecoms sector.

Consider a work experience programme or industrial placement year in-industry. Your university will often have connections with employers in the Telecoms sector which can prove very helpful in getting started in the sector.

How much can graduates earn in Telecomms?

Most graduate engineering or R&D programmes will offer a starting salary of between £20,000 and £30,000 per annum. Engineering and research salaries in telecoms will increase as you take on additional responsibilities (e.g. managing teams or working on more complex projects). More senior roles can pay c. £60,000, although at larger organisations there is scope for you to earn even more, which usually requires taking more oversight of commercial functions alongside technical.

What qualifications do I need for a career in Telecomms?

Roles in engineering and R&D will require at least an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (computer science, electrical/electronic engineering, information technology, mathematics/statistics, physical sciences), and often a postgraduate degree can be highly beneficial in securing your entry into the industry.