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If I remember right Generator is a tech for Telus in Canada, but are there any more of us?
The reason I ask is because it looks like I will be leaving the Marines in about 10 months and need to know how the job markert is like and how a normal (ie non military) switch is ran.
Thanks
That's right I still work for telus but my contract is almost up. The telecom job market is hurting because of the flood of people from Nortel, lucent and a whole bunch of other little companies. But there are always little jobs out there, you just have to look.
TELUS is pretty structured when it comes to running it's switches we have tons of processes and the people to support what we have. However other companies usually buy a PBX for 10 people because crooked interconnect companies sell them what they dont' need.
I have to say most switch work is done in large companies in a call center environment. If you know the latest ACD software, like Nortel's symposium, you can get a job managing their systems. Id have to say in my experiences that call centers are where the money is and working for small interconnect companies is like working for the mob.
check out this site. Tek systems I think they specialise in placing former military people. If you take a look at the industy almost everyone has a PBX or KSU somewhere. most switch tech's spend their time maintaining the systems. The Telecom industry is hurting a bit, but who know's where things are going to be in 5 years. Microsofts Netmeeting and the new CTI products that are coming out might just eliminate the PBX, but im sure some companies will still stick with their current systems until things are alittle better.
That's just some stuff that Ive been hearing from my friends and people in telus.
Thanks for the info. I know ACD pretty dang well. I haven't had a chance to set one up to its fully abilities though.
Basically a switch is ran by an A+ certified 56 year old man that once handed out brochures for Nortel. Outside of telus I've seen phone rooms with 100 or 500 pair cable terminated on 66 blocks (With cross connects every which way) with no documentation on what is terminated to what and it is somehow magically connected to the PBX and it all functions.
There are a few good companies out there that will put in the extra effort and have knowledgeable staff that can get the job done, but nothing is ever documented, and dealing with the A+ certified 56 year old get's to be a problem because he feels threatened by your knowledge.
Id say if you know everything about the switching and know the ACD packages that are available to the platform you know become a contractor and go clean up the customer sites. With your programming skills man you could come up with some wicked solutions for companies.
Im starting my own business in March 2002, Ill let you know how it goes.
Hmm where in Canada do you live? ;)
What are the laws like for foreigners working in Canada?
What I would really love to land is a job working for a company (I.E. Intel) that has big plants and their own telephone systems. From what I hear switchs are very modular (i.e. one group doing trunks, another maintenance, another servord). I love dealing with the whole package.
LOL,
Thantos, I have a really great business idea. It's going to fill a niche in the telecom industry. If it works out you can be the switch guru. Business won't be limited to canada, you can start your own division down there and if all goes well Ill fund the whole thing. How does a team building exercise in Hawaii or Vina del mar sound???:D
I don't know...team building in Hawaii sounds soooooooooo stressful. I wish you all the luck and feel free to drop me a line whenever.
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