Telecommunications offers career opportunities for grads in almost any field of study, including marketing, engineering, business management, communications, high tech development, media, and more. Within the industry, they work to design, build, implement, and promote technology that allows everyone on the planet to do something very simple, yet vital – communicate. And despite the perception that women aren't good at technology or math, “Communication,” says Andrea Tavchar, program coordinator for the public relations program at Humber College and a leading researcher in social and digital media issues, “is a soft skill that women excel at.”
“There are a lot of opportunities in telecommunications technology and digital media for women,” agrees Stephanie MacKendrick, president at Canadian Women in Communications (CWC). “Of course there are sectors or companies that are heavily male populated, but it varies by company. If I was a young woman looking for a job, I'd look for companies that pay attention to talent strategy, because if they're smart and basing on talent, they're going to be woman friendly. In terms of the skills that are needed, women just have to be part of the equation.”
SO WHAT'S IT LIKE AT THE MOMENT IN THE TELECOM INDUSTRY?
“Strong content development skills are really needed in the telecom, mobile, and technology sphere,” notes MacKendrick. She also offers that specifically of interest to young women just getting started is “the whole field of social media as a communication function in business.”
Ah, social media. Seems like you can't read more than halfway through a magazine article without coming across it. Tavcharidentifies the role of community manager as a job title she thinks offers new grads a great opportunity for interesting work. But just because you're young, kid, don't get cocky.
JUST BECAUSE YOU GREW UP WITH THE INTERNET, DOESN'T MEAN YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT.
She warns against the myth of the so-called 'digital native' – the belief that anyone young enough to have grown up with the Internet is somehow naturally good at using it. “But suggesting young people know social media applications better than the next person just because they're young, is inaccurate,” she explains. “However, if they learn professionalism, judgment, analysis – with these literacy skills, it is an advantage that the students have by graduation day, and they can go into a workplace and do an effective job.”
So what are the young women of today best qualified to do – other than Tweet and Tumblog? “Anything,” says MacKendrick enthusiastically – and no one is holding them back but themselves. “Women tend to be so self-conscious. If there are ten qualifications listed for a job, they want to be able to tick off all ten before they even apply – and I think men are okay checking off five or six and just applying anyway, and they've got it right. You want to have to stretch, you want to be able to learn and grow at your job.”
AND WHAT KIND OF WOMAN DOES IT TAKE TO SUCCEED IN TELECOM?
“The industry really favours people who are willing to take calculated risks, who are comfortable with learning on the job as they go, and who are good with transferring skills as things change – which they do, constantly,” advises MacKendrick. “One of the biggest things women can do to thrive in this industry is to not be afraid of technology, not be intimidated by uncertainty, and not be intimidated by the magnitude of what's out there. Just decide what you're interested in and then go for it.”
Going for it, in MacKendrick's view, means getting yourself out there and getting your network on. “Networking shouldn't feel like cod liver oil; the networking opportunities you take advantage of should be the ones you're really interested in, because your enthusiasm shows.”
AND ABOVE ALL, LOVE YOUR JOB, EVEN BEFORE YOU HAVE IT.
Immerse yourself in the industry, she urges. “Follow blogs and Twitter feeds, keep up to date. There's so much happening out there right now, it's really interesting – and there are so many opportunities. The more you get into that leading edge, the more you realize it's a great place to be.
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