Want a Career in Fiber Optics? Here’s Where to Start!

Fiber optics play a big part in the infrastructure that runs a lot of the world’s connectivity. We all need the internet, and fiber optics is one of the fastest modes of transport for information and telecommunications. Therefore, fiber optic technicians and engineers are in high demand right now and careers in all kinds of industries are just waiting for you.

If you have been dreaming of a career in fiber optics, now is the time to get your foot in the door. Right now, fiber optics offers many rewarding opportunities with different types of companies from internet providers serving broadband communications, to medical device manufacturers and military operations. Fiber optic cable is used in hundreds of industries around the globe.

Depending on the industry and the company, fiber optic engineers earn a good, stable salary with the median being around $55,000 a year. If you get in with a good company and the work is more complex and detailed, that figure will increase. There are tons of great benefits working with fiber. A standout is that you don’t need a high-level college degree, just specialized skill experience. You can gain a lot of experience as an apprentice to a master engineer for 3–5 years before beginning your career. This experience looks great on your resume and shows your commitment to the industry and career path.

Finding the Perfect Job in Fiber Optics

Fiber optic technicians are critical to the operations of broadband communications by installing the cables that transmit the information over long distances. Fiber optics work by information being turned into light which travels very fast until it reaches its destination when it is then transformed back into data when it reaches its destination.

A lot of the work performed by a fiber optics engineer is maintenance and troubleshooting. If you have an aptitude for finding and fixing problems, networking, IT, or working with tools, those skills will come in handy when you apply. Sometimes technicians have to work in foul weather, up high on poles or under houses and in crawl spaces. If none of this bothers you, you might find being a fiber optics technician to be the perfect job. Fiber optic technicians have to be comfortable working in tight spaces, using ladders, and handling heavy tools.

Often, technicians get to know the communities they work in very well and make some great connections and friendships. Seeing the same close-knit group of customers frequently makes for a pleasant working environment and a rewarding experience. If you like friendly encounters with customers, a fiber job might be right for you.

How Fiber Optics Affect Our Lives

Optical fibers are thin strands of glass that are bundled together to form a cable. Data is transmitted through these cables inside light, which travels very fast. Fiber optic cable is one of the fastest mediums for communicating data over the internet.

Fiber optics were initially invented for the medical industry and endoscopy. There are various types of fiber, and it is used in a variety of industries around the world. The military uses fiber optics, as does the medical industry. It is also used in broadcasting and computer networking.

Due to the versatility of fiber optics, the career opportunities are endless. If you are interested in medicine and the development of new devices, and you have a background in fiber optics, there will be a job for you. If instead you are into networking and IT services, broadband might be the best fit for your fiber optic skills to shine.

How to Structure Your Resume for a Career in Fiber Optics

If your goal is to work in fiber optics, a good resume is vital. First, you will want to make sure you tailor your resume specifically to the industry in which you are applying. You may be interested in a few different areas, so spend time customizing each copy of your resume to fit the job description.

Your resume introduction is the first impression you will make. Take the time to make it great. Right from the first sentence, highlight the ways you can serve your new employer with your skill sets. Be concise but also clear, and focus on your strongest experience and abilities.

Instead of starting with a broad and generic career objective, instead, list your unique skills and how they will serve you well in this new position. Don’t be shy, include any personal skills or hobbies that will aid you in doing your job and fit nicely with a fiber optics career path.

Electrical Engineering and Fiber Optics

Electrical engineering has been shaping our modern world for decades. From its humble beginnings in 1830 when Michael Faraday invented a crude, electric generator to light bulbs in 1878 and then TV and satellites, electrical engineers have blazed a trail for the future.

The 1980s and the explosion of the internet and mobile devices opened up a lot of exciting opportunities in engineering. 3D imaging, flexible smartphones with holographic displays and other significant advances being invented right now are paving the way for even more careers in technology.

Fiber optics play a big part in so many areas of our lives and the need for skilled, qualified technicians is expanding right along with it. Right now is the perfect time for a career in fiber optics. If you are unsure about how to start, find someone working in the fiber optic field and ask them to mentor you so you can learn the ins and outs before hitting any interviews. Ask questions and gain as much knowledge as you can before you start on this career path.

If you are in good physical shape, and enjoy hard work and learning new things, fiber optics is a fantastic career that will take you to new heights of expertise. Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and along with it you will get to learn more about the ways fiber is changing the world in which we live.