The Telecommunications Management program at UNK prepares students to design, install, maintain, expand, and manage voice, video, and data networks.
The PREMIER Telecom program! WHY?
- Only bachelors program in the state focused upon both technical and business/legal aspects of voice, video, and data networking.
- State of the art voice, video, and data networking HANDS ON laboratory with newly added VoIP equipment.
- 100% placement in quality careers for dedicated students.
- Extensive involvement and learning with telecom professionals through advisory committees, internships, and on site instruction.
- Entry level and advanced scholarships are available!
- Documented average starting salary of $38,912 for UNK grads.
What are the careers for men and women? Current demand for employees in this field is exceeding the number of available graduates. Demand for new employees is growing rapidly. Both men and women are equally being sought. Program graduates have included several women who are now in excellent careers.
How much money can I make? The average starting salary of graduates from this program is $38,912 based upon a survey of past program graduates. The same survey reveals that graduates are given increasing responsibilities along with salary increases.
Where will I go to work? Do I have to leave Nebraska or can I stay in Nebraska? Current majority demand for graduates is occurring right here in Nebraska in both rural and metropolitian areas! Opportunities also exist nationally and internationally should you so choose. Many graduates that have left the state return following a few years of gathering industry experience in order to raise their families.
Will this career be in existance in the next ten years? Much attention has been given to jobs going overseas. This degree program prepares graduates for positions that cannot be outsourced to a foreign country. Voice, video, and data network management deals with the physical structure of networks which can NEVER be subcontracted to companies physically located in foreign countries.
What is the placement upon graduation from this degree program? Success as a dedicated student in your program will GUARANTEE career opportunities.
Is the program accredited? Yes. The National Association of Industrial Technology accredits the program
The voice, video, and data network manager is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internet and telephone networks for small and large companies. They are responsible for the oversight of those persons employed to fulfill these responsibilities. The manager must have a current knowledge of managerial techniques, budgetary practices, communications equipment, and project management. It is important to note this program is NOT associated with telemarketing and does NOT prepare students for the management of the telemarketing industry or as call center service representatives for the telemarketing industry. The program at UNK prepares students for the management of voice, video, and data communications networks. The voice, video, and data network manager is directly responsible for:
- Organizing and Motivating Teams
- Providing Budget Management
- Supervising Equipment Procurement
- Providing Future Network Planning
- Monitoring Legal/Regulatory Issues
- Supervising Network Design/Implementation
- Project Management for Network Design and Installation
How do past graduates of the program rate their experience at UNK? From the graduates survyed they are nearly unaminous in their recommendation of UNK for a place to study.
How do employers of graduates rate the graduates? Surveys conducted of employers reveal that graduates are assigned increasing responsibility in their positions rapidly following employment. Employers indicate they are very satisified with the performance of program graduates. Employers rated the clear majority of graduates as either outstanding or good in the categories of worker productivity, personal characteristics, and business techniques.
Every university has an Information Technology program, how is the one at UNK unique? The program at UNK is the only one of its kind in Nebraska. It combines business principles, management strategies, with a strong technical background. Other programs prepare students with only one skill, the program at UNK provides the most versitle education a student can receive to be successful in the voice, video, and data network management. There are only 24 known programs in the United States with this focus.
Can I expect personal attention from the professors in the program? Companies that have recruited graduates from this program report they particularly like the graduates due to their comfortable relationship with the professors in the program. As a representative from MCI stated, "Students in this program are not afraid to interact with their managers in the workplace, we attribute this directly to the relationship they are able to build with their professors at UNK."
What can I expect for a salary? The following tables reveal data collected from graduates of 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2004.
Approximate First Job Salary
|
Current Annual Salary
|
First Job Salary
|
# Grads
|
%
|
Less than $29,999
|
5
|
22%
|
$30,000 to $34,999
|
7
|
30%
|
$35,000 to $39,999
|
3
|
13%
|
$40,000 to $44,999
|
4
|
17.5%
|
$45,000 to $49,999
|
4
|
17.5%
|
Total
|
23
|
100%
|
|
Current Salary
|
# Grads
|
%
|
$20,000 to $24,999
|
2
|
9%
|
$25,000 to $29,999
|
0
|
0%
|
$30,000 to $34,999
|
5
|
21%
|
$35,000 to $39,999
|
2
|
9%
|
$40,000 to $44,999
|
3
|
13%
|
$45,000 to $49,999
|
2
|
9%
|
$50,000 to $54,999
|
3
|
13%
|
$55,000 to $59,999
|
3
|
13%
|
$60,000 to $64,999
|
2
|
9%
|
$65,000 to $69,999
|
1
|
4%
|
Total
|
23
|
100%
|
|
The laboratory is a state of the art HANDS ON laboratory. Students design and build networks, manage the operation of the network, and conduct trouble shooting exercises. Students are taught how to interface with equipment providers in order to expand existing networks. VoIP Lab News
Students are actively involved in the program through the Telecommunications Networking Organization. They play an active role in the evaluation of the program and provide social events for students in telecom. They arrange field trips to companies with new installations of telecommunications equipment in order to support what is taught in the classroom. Students serve on the active Telecommunications Management Advisory Committee and provide valuable input to make certain the program is meeting their needs. In addition the social activities and involvement on the advisory committee allows students to network with industry professionals establishing a avenue for future position opportunities.
A 12 semester hour internship with a sponsoring telecommunications or related company provides the student with an excellent transition from the classroom to the workplace. Employers are provided with the opportunity to work with persons who have recently been involved in education experiences and are eager to learn how to apply their newly acquired knowledge to the workplace.
The Telecommunications Management option prepares individuals for employment in a variety of telecommunications related careers. A typical Telecommunications Management graduate could be found overseeing for a business all of its telecommunications resources. These resources would include telephones, long distance bills, fax machines, and computer terminals. Telecommunications is a lifeline of business.
Graduates with degrees in Telecommunications Management have obtained the following positions:
| Network Manager |
Omaha Steaks |
| System Manager |
AT&T Network Systems |
| Network Supervisor |
Bell Atlantic |
| Telecom. Security |
First Data Corporation |
| Switch Manager |
Cox Communications |
| Chief Operating Officer |
Eakes Office Plus |
| Marketing Manager |
Hamilton Communications |
| Switch Optimization |
Worldcom |
| Network Supervisor |
Sprint & Sprint PCS |
| Network Design |
SBC |