sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information a fresh start

Well, I just completed my first year in college...a Communication/media major at DePauw university. Things did not go well spring semester.....in fact, there's a chance I may be suspended (journalism guy in Biology and Accounting..ugh). Over the next few months I really really need to think about what I truly want to be doing......it has been pointed out to me that when I do what I enjoy, I do it very well......that thing, of course, would be phone systems. If I don't go back this fall, I need a career....I want to go into the phone business.

Until this point, I have done all work for free...no true customers. I've done small Comdial, Nortel, Avaya, and Vodavi systems. I've also worked on a DBS 96, and am currently maintaining a Samsung iDCS100. Unfortunately, I have no formal training. I'm great with programming....my wiring skills could use a little work, though.

So, I guess my question is, where do I get started. Would I be better off at a tech school, or becoming someone's apprentice? If the later, how should I go about that? I'm in the St. Louis area, btw.

Of course, I hope I can work things out and return to DePauw in August.....but, life must go on.

for me persoannly, the best way to learn this stuff is hands on. I went to Devry and basically learned a bunch ff theory which I guess I use sometime (MAKES ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY SCHOOL LOANS), but a majortiy of my knowlegde comes from just getting in their and getting my hands dirty.

I agree with Anthony on this. The best way to learn is through the school of hard knocks. You are in a relatively good position though, because with IP telephony becoming so huge, nobody new to the industry wants to work with traditional systems anymore. Interconnect companies will jump at the opportunity to take someone new under their wing to teach them "the right way". You might not make a huge amount of money, but it sounds like with your level of experience, you should be able to move yourself up quickly. I think that tech schools are great for someone who has never had any exposure, but all telephone systems are different. It would be impossible for them to train you on all of them. About the best you would be able to learn would be the basics.

DeVry here too, and while what I learned there gave me a good foundation, I use very little of that knowledge when dealing with phone systems. I agree with Anthony, you will learn more on the job. If I had it to do over again, I would proably spend the money I gave to Devry on a JR college taking business related courses degree or no degree. If you are like me, the tech stuff soaks in pretty easy, it's all the non-techincal business issues that have slowed me down.

Well, I'm hearing exactly what I wanted to hear!! I always learn better hands on, rather than being lectured at.

Like I said, best option is to return to DePauw...a suspension isn't the end of the road, and I can re-enter in the spring semester if I show I've used my time wisely....beginning to learn the trade would definitely qualify.

So, just open up the yellow pages and start calling companies under the phone category?? Can't be that easy.

Stay in college. You can become a phone tech anytime. And if you do become a tech, your college experience will be an advantage. The most important talent in any career, is the ability to communicate, a strong command of the language will carry you farther then any other single attribute. Persevere. I once had a college professor that told me it was the "C" students that he had the most respect for. They had to work the hardest, and it was often those students that returned to donate millions to the college. Good Luck.
Mark

I do not want to give you the wrong Idea, I would stay in school, maybe find an interconnet to work for part time. That way you get the best out of both worlds.

Get a degree
Years ago I was not allowed to apply for a job because I didn't have a degree, they hired a kid out of college that worked for me about 6 months and I trained

Well, like I said, I may not be allowed to return to college (well, not immediately anyway)....and If I do get suspended, I need something to do until the spring semester starts in February. How might I go about becoming a phone tech in the mean time??

Hell, maybe if the worse happens, I can go back up to the town my college is in and work for the interconnect in town until I'm allowed back at the University....only one interconnect in town, so I know I'd wind up back on campus (The U's Fujitsu 9600 will be legal to drink this year, kind of falling apart)

Of course, at this point, everything is hypothetical. I may not get suspended, or I may get suspended and win an appeal. Who knows.

Codasco704:

If you are willing to travel to the Indianapolis area, I have a close friend and former employee who runs a small interconnect company. He might be able to get you set up with full- or part-time employment to get your feet wet. Just send me a PM if you are interested and I will put you in touch with him.