communication tower

Education:

Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering. New technologies in the field develop quickly so even after graduating the engineers need to continue to educate themselves so they can stay up-to-date.

Employment Opportunities:

Jobs in creating, testing and manufacturing wireless technologies. Cell phones, satellite systems that support wireless communications, and wireless computer networks are a few of the areas with employment opportunities.

Job Outlook:

There is a 6% increase in employment predicted from 2010 to 2020. Many of the jobs in the field are outsourced to other countries.

Wireless Telecommunications Engineering Timeline

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Impacts on Society

The Wireless Telecommunication Engineering field has had a great impact on society. There are far more positive impacts than negative ones. Social, political, and economic changes have resulted from this field. In 2005 (after Hurricane Katrina) the American Red Cross and the wireless industry developed the national Text 2Help Initiative. This tool allows people to donate money through text message if there is a major disaster. In 2010 there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti. $35 million dollars was donated through text messages to help the Haitians.

People are able to access information like directions, gas station locations, and many other things from a wireless Global Positioning System (GPS) when traveling. Some GPS’s even let the user know if there is a traffic jam ahead, so it can be avoided. Wireless communication does not only make traveling easier, it also makes it easier for people to keep in touch with and to inform each other. People are able to take pictures and videos with their cell phones and upload them to the internet to share their experiences and to show others what is going on wherever they are.

Political protests are able to be videoed and then viewed by the world through wireless communication. More people are able to have a voice in their community and the world because they are able to be more informed and send opinions to others. Twitter, Facebook and other multimedia sites make it easier for people to communicate to a large group. More people know what is going on in politics and voice their opinions to the politicians through social media.

Even though a lot of good comes from wireless communications, thieves find weak spots in the technology and abuse it. Hackers are able to access personal information and use it to steal people’s identities. There are precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk, such as putting a password on your home’s wireless router. Another negative impact from wireless communications may be health risks. Research is still being done to determine if there is any risk.

The positive impact that Wireless Telecommunication Engineering has had on society far outweighs the negative impact. This field of engineering is constantly advancing to make improvements in the lives of others.