By Kristen Beckman
As the telecommunication industry evolves, there is a growing need for workers with specialized skills like network engineering, data science, cybersecurity and AI/machine learning. The WIA Foundation’s mission is to support efforts to raise awareness about careers in the wireless and broadband industries to build the wireless leaders of today and tomorrow. This includes support for more robust science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula in schools that offer opportunities for students to build skills and knowledge related to technology career paths.
Through its efforts, the WIA Foundation supports programs like the Telecom Trailblazers, an initiative of the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum, which encourages learning, teaches young students about digital infrastructure, and inspires them to pursue careers in telecommunications.
Chicago
Recently, WWLF’s Telecom Trailblazers hosted 50 students from two Chicago high schools at the McCormick Place Convention Center in conjunction with WIA’s Connect (X) Conference. The group of young women attended engaging sessions on:
LinkedIn Branding & Understanding Your Digital Footprint: Students learned how LinkedIn differs from social media platforms and the importance of building a professional profile. The importance of digital safety and digital footprint were also introduced.
AI & Emerging Technologies: This module introduced how businesses are leveraging AI innovations. The evolving career landscape in AI and relevant skills to remain competitive in a STEM-driven workforce were also discussed.
Networking 101: Expanding Your Professional Circle: Students started to learn about the importance of building authentic connections and how public speaking ties into networking. This interactive experience helped students craft and deliver their own elevator pitch.
Public Speaking & Confidence Building: This session provided students with practical tools to boost self-confidence, manage nerves, and begin to master the art of public speaking.
After each session, students participated in a short interactive exercise with presenters, industry leaders, and WWLF Board members.
Washington, D.C.
Earlier this year, a group of young women from D.C.-area high schools joined the Telecom Trailblazers on an IGNITE Worldwide field trip to the Verizon Technology and Policy Center to learn more about the telecom industry and its career paths from women who are currently leaders in the sector. Their day included insights from a panel of women who all started their careers in areas outside of telecommunications.
Taylor Sierra started her career in education and now manages tower crews as a project manager at Next Link Fiber. Talisha Germain shifted from a career in fashion to the telecom industry, where she is the national program manager at RF Industries. Maria Alexandra Valles started her career as a diplomat and now is vice president of corporate affairs at SBA. Finally, Michele Cober’s career path includes time as an opera singer and an attorney to now leading strategic alliances at Verizon.
The panelists provided a wide variety of advice to the young women in attendance who may be considering pursuing a career in telecom, including to be open to learning about different roles in the industry, actively networking, seeking mentorship and pursuing continuous learning.
Telecommunications offers diverse career opportunities including engineering and beyond. Only 16.7% of engineers are women and about one-quarter of computing roles are held by women, the panelists noted. The panelists emphasized that successful career growth involves building strong relationships, remaining authentic, and being willing to learn and adapt continuously.
The visiting scholars toured Verizon’s telecom and internet museum at the center, which allowed them to see a visual representation of radio frequency waves, peruse a wall of industry milestones dating back more than 40 years to 1983 when the first cellular towers were built, and even connect to the internet via a dial-up modem on a now-antique computer. The young attendees also got to experience a variety of telecom industry jobs, including climbing towers and installing equipment, via virtual reality headsets.
The event closed with a fireside chat featuring FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and Kathy Grillo, SVP of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Verizon. The conversation focused on the evolving landscape of communications, technology, and policy. Commissioner Gomez shared insights on the role of the FCC in regulating critical communication technologies such as cell phones, broadcast television, satellite services, and GPS. She also shared how her path to the FCC was unplanned, sparked by a chance encounter with a mentor. Commissioner Gomez noted the importance of guiding the next generation, inspiring students to pursue careers in communications, and engaging with them in meaningful conversations about technology’s future.
Telecom Trailblazers plans to ramp up its offering of similar events for girls and young women across the country. To learn more and to get involved, visit https://www.wwlf.org/Telecom-Trailblazers
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