FIELD ENGINEER
BLOG
Engineers
by
Malik Zakaria
|
September 10, 2018
There is no real formula that can tell anyone how the industry is going to innovate and develop in the future, whether this is in telecom, labor or gig economy. However, the future of field engineering is changing all the time, because technology is constantly evolving. With evolving technology, Field Engineers are facing a future where their career is going to adapt, and they must be ready to embrace those changes.
Most people who get into Telecom Field Engineering know that change is exciting; there is more to learn and more ways to grow, and engineers by nature are hungry for new problems to discover and overcome. If you want to be a part of an industry that engenders innovation, then field engineering will be for you. Technological innovation is happening right now, and some of the biggest things happening in technology will affect the way that field engineers approach their work. The real question is what is affecting the industry right now?
One of the most significant areas in technological innovation is happening in the way that we take care of the environment. The environment is a global concern, which is why we have government summits on taking care of climate change, and we are moving toward a world full of smart cities. Urban environments are changing, and we are continually moving toward a world that is adapting to fit a growing population. This has triggered a change from roads being full of gas-guzzling cars to electric or hybrid vehicles, more cyclists and a big push for tram systems in place of those earlier mentioned cars.
Field Engineers may find a move toward a smarter city, with the growth of the use of the Internet of Things and 5G, to mean less work. However, there will be a need for power stations and masts to power smart cities, and the job will change to fit the smaller space that these things will need to take up. It’s a challenge, and it’s one that is firmly the future of field engineering.
Our world is already digitally inclined, but the use of the computer has begun to filter into our daily lives outside of the office. We use tablets instead of books, smartphones, and GPS instead of physical maps and with the demand for all things technical comes a rising demand for people to be able to build, run and fix them. Software engineers may work on developing systems and programs for these great innovations to run on, but field engineers will be needed to help to maintain these systems.
Field engineers working labor in construction need to ensure that electrical systems are built to exact specifications and thus will work alongside software engineers to engender the changes that we are seeing in the cloud computing world.
Engineering is critical in the development of the challenges that an aging population brings. Several innovations and priorities need to be focused on if field engineers can continue to develop their careers positively. Technologies that address dependency issues are improving at a rapid rate, with smart homes, advanced sensors and communication systems all needing intelligent people to maintain them. Even transport is evolving to accommodate an older population, with the requirements for an older driver still being understood. Improved information systems are vital to the public, and field engineers will be able to help to make those improvements.
Alongside the innovations that can assist those in an aging population, there is also the risk of a skill shortage as more people retire. Inspiring young people to take up a career in engineering has never been more critical, and this can be done via internships, the promotion of engineering as an option for further education and an emphasis on how this education can change the future.
Currently, field engineers are in charge of finding and carrying job parts, and this process has become more efficient and automated over the years with the development of drones. While this may seem like a way to reduce the human element and thus, the need for engineers, the use of drones in the job can help field engineers to free up their time for better things in their role. An example is to check the RF Tower Radios using drones instead of climbing the towers. It also means that engineers have the chance to work safely, as drones can view areas to be fixed without the need to risk life and limb.
For many people, the choice to become a Field Engineer is led by the chance to make positive changes and support current solutions for businesses the world over. Engineering and technology have always walked hand in hand, but with technology steaming light years ahead in its development, engineering has to keep up. With an engineering education, candidates for a job are exposed to new skill sets and technical subjects that are continuously evolving. As a field engineer, you will spend your time out in the world; there’s no cubicle to keep you hemmed in when you’re on a construction site or telecom site. Your focus will tell you where you will be going, so those who specialize in medical machinery will be located in areas that require those skills.
You also get the chance to choose research and equipment testing as an option, but if you choose to become a Field Engineer, you know that you’re getting into a career that will be adapting as the world of technology does. You need to continue to have solid communication skills, as offering the solution to a problem for a client takes a conversation. Engineers who work in construction can see first-hand how architecture is changing, and you get the first look at how new buildings are erected and powered – as you will be one of the essential elements behind them. Disruptive technologies are adapting the employment landscape and engineers are going to be the first to be affected. This is a positive change to pay attention to!
In a field that is changing so rapidly, now is prime time to sign-up to start a career as an on-demand field engineer globally in the telecom industry. What are you waiting for?
