The telecommunications jobs that are looking for vets
SUMMARY
The telecom sector is rife with opportunities that align perfectly with the skills and experiences of veterans just like you. For starters, degrees aren't required for many positions, which is a boon to the thousands of vets who choose to transition right into careers without first attending college. This industry also demands innovative leaders who are skilled at using technology and have excellent customer-service and relationship-management skills, requirements veterans often fit to a T.
"At T-Mobile, we've found veterans often make the strongest leaders and are high performers, and we are committed to helping give them access to the best job opportunities available. To show our commitment, we've pledged to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses in the next five years, and we're getting closer to this goal every day," says Donna Wright, senior manager of Military and Diversity Sourcing for T-Mobile.
Family friendly
The telecom industry also boasts some of the country's top Military Friendly® Employers, such as T-Mobile, Teleperformance and Verizon*. If you want to score a civilian career while you're still in the military, many of these companies offer you the flexibility to do just that. And because most are nationwide, you can relocate and remain with the same company. What's more, telecom organizations are, more and more, extending their Military Friendly® programs and perks not just to vets, but to their spouses and families, too.
"We recognize that being the spouse of a military person can be very challenging from an employment perspective," explained Amber Brown, director of talent acquisition at Teleperformance. "To help address these challenges, we launched the Military Spouse Work at Home Project, which offers positions that allow military spouses to work from home, with flexible schedules based on the unique military lifestyle. In the event of a PCS move, we work with the spouse to transition the job to the next duty station."
Long-term commitment
Verizon, our 2018 Military Friendly® Company of the Year, already employs more than 11,000 service members, veterans and reservists, and leverages special military and military-spouse hiring programs aimed at recruiting thousands more.
"We continue to see opportunities to place veterans across our business, especially in customer-facing roles and those related to technology such as cybersecurity and enterprise sales," said Tommy Jones, leader of Verizon's Military Recruitment Team.
You already know your skills and experience are a match for telecom. Now turn the page to learn more about the types of jobs available to you and find out which ones align with your career interests and aspirations!
Hot jobs in telecom
You'll plan, implement, upgrade or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. You may ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure and respond to computer security breaches and viruses. Knowledge of computers, programming and/or telecommunications may be required.
Median Salary
,510
15% or higher growth through 2026
Bachelor's or equivalent experience
Communications Tower Equipment Technician
You will repair, install or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. You may also test and analyze network coverage. You'll need to know how to read blueprints and be comfortable climbing equipment or structures.
Median Salary
,060
2-4% growth through 2026
High school diploma or equivalent
Master Sergeant Janine "J9" Rodriguez
Project Home Ambassador, Teleperformance
Date of hire: July 2014
Age: 42
Military Service:
Master Sergeant (E-7),
Air Force (1994-2014)
AFSC: Personnel (3S071)
Education:
- Associate degree, human resources,
Community College of the Air Force, 2005 - Bachelor's degree, business management,
Park University, 2010 - Professional Manager Certification,
Community College of the Air Force, 2013
What do you do? I act as the champion to our military families, servicing them as they relocate due to PCS moves and providing service and assistance during military deployments. I also develop and manage a network of Teleperformance military families to ensure connectivity across sites.
What did you do in the military? I provided contingency support to 10,000+ staff, advised senior managers on HR issues and requirements, served as subject matter expert for management-level performance evaluations, and drove the process for hundreds of promotion recommendations for officers.
Why did you decide to retire from the military? I decided to retire because my mom was terminally ill and I wanted to help take care of her with the little time we had left.
Why did you choose this career path? I started with Teleperformance in the human resources department in an entry level position and then was presented with promotion opportunities within the HR department, including the opportunity to help broaden our military footprint in my current role. I just couldn't resist.
What military skills do you apply to your job? Definitely my work ethic, integrity in all that I do, and the importance of following direction and supporting the mission.
Best advice? Attending TAP prior to my retirement was essential for me to be prepared. Ensure that your military experience is translated to civilian language, know your worth, and research your employment location.
Petty Officer Third Class, Kevin Battles
Solutions Manager, Verizon* Wireless
Date of Hire: March 2014
Age: 34
Military Service: Petty Officer Third Class (E-4),
Navy (2004-2007)
Rating: Ships Serviceman
Education: Bachelor's degree, mass communications, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2018
Why did you decide to separate from the military? Family is very important to me. I had two young daughters who needed their father in their lives, so I decided to pursue other career opportunities closer to home.
Why did you choose this career path? I knew my military experience in managing the ship's store, laundry, barber shop and vending operations would help me transition into a career in retail sales. At first, it was attractive to be in a position that provided a good living, but over the last 10 years it has evolved into a fulfilling career and personal growth opportunity.
What worked best in your job search? Military-oriented hiring sites were the best source of job opportunities. I basically scoured these sites daily in my job search.
What skills learned in the military do you apply to your job today? Leadership, self-discipline, respect, and mentoring are all qualities I've taken into civilian life. These skills helped me in my current leadership role and prepped me to help support other veterans as the leader of our Verizon Veterans Advisory Board Employee Resource Group, which provides assistance, guidance and representation regarding veterans' issues to Verizon leadership and serves as an advocate for veteran employees.
Best advice for transitioning service members? Build your resume before you leave the service, look for jobs that leverage your specific role in the military, and focus on companies that consistently rank high as being Military Friendly®.
Company is a paid advertiser in this issue.
Lieutenant Colonel, Tana Avellar
Manager, HR Project Delivery, T-Mobile
Date of hire: January 2016
Age: 38
Military Service: Lieutenant Colonel (O-5),
Army National Guard (1998-Present)
MOS: Military Intelligence Officer (35D)
Education: Bachelor's degree, business administration (BBA), Gonzaga University, 2002
Why did you choose this career path? While I have not separated from the military completely, I decided I wanted to find a civilian career that would provide better work-life balance for my family as well as broaden my skillset and have career options if I ever left the military. I selected project management and people management as a career focus because they required a skillset that was a natural fit based on my military background. I've been leading people in the military for over 15 of my 20 years in the Guard. Project management is also a core skillset of most military officers.
What worked best in your job search? The best approach to my job search was networking. I landed my position as a contractor through a friend who referred me to her company. I also tailored my resume to be specific about what I was looking for in a position. While I have varying skills, being focused and specific generated far more success in my search and helped to open doors.
Did you use social media in your job search? If so, how?I used LinkedIn for my job search and to connect with people from companies I was interested in pursuing. The most effective approach was to seek out a recruiter or hiring manager directly for positions I was interested in. I worked to land informational interviews before applying, which helped me better determine which roles were a fit.
Companies hiring for telecommunication jobs
Verizon: Verizon Communications Inc. is a global leader in delivering the promise of the digital world. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with 112.1 million retail connections nationwide.
VIEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS JOBS WITH VERIZON
Oracle: At Oracle, our vision is to foster an inclusive environment that leverages the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of all of our employees, suppliers, customers and partners to drive a sustainable global competitive advantage.
VIEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS JOBS WITH ORACLE
IBM: From helping transform healthcare to improving the retail shopping experience, it's what IBMers do.
VIEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS JOBS WITH IBM
AECOM: AECOM is built to deliver a better world. We design, build, finance and operate infrastructure assets for governments, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries.
VIEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS JOBS WITH AECOM
Companies appearing in this section are paying advertisers
This article originally appeared on G.I. Jobs. Follow @GIJobsMagazine on Twitter.
