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From Engineering to Telecom

I currently have a degree in chemical engineering, but am thinking of building a career in telecommunications. Is there any connection between these two career fields? If not, how can I switch?

Answer:
That's a tough one. I did some research, and I can't say that I found a clear path from chemical engineering to telecommunications. However, there might be some cutting-edge research and development (R&D) positions that involve both career fields. For example, both superconductivity and materials development are areas that impact chemical engineering and telecommunications. In general, though, fields like electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering seem more applicable to telecommunications than chemical engineering.

Despite this apparent lack of connection, my research did indicate that the job market for chemical engineering can be quite unpredictable, so you may be wise to broaden your horizons. Doing so may involve obtaining a degree in a field more applicable to telecommunications (such as those mentioned above). But before you take that step, try contacting some of the major telecommunications companies and discussing your credentials.

Because technology is changing so rapidly, companies are increasingly more interested in hiring good minds than in focusing on a particular credential. It is entirely possible that the training for certain functions is so specific to a given company that recruiters for those positions are simply looking for math, analytical, and problem-solving aptitude. If your academic credentials in chemical engineering are strong, you may have demonstrated enough of those aptitudes to get you hired. Most of the telecommunications training can then take place either on the job or at the employer's expense.

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