How to Become a VoIP Systems Engineer

VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology allows Internet service providers to route phone calls (the "voice") directly over your Internet connection. This can be done while you are still working on the Internet in another capacity. To become a VoIP systems engineer, you will need an extensive background in electrical engineering, specialized telecommunications training and perhaps VoIP certification.

Things You'll Need

• Master's degree (recommended)
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering (or equivalent military training)

Instructions

Become a VoIP Systems Engineer

1. Pursue a bachelor's degree at an accredited 4-year institution. Focus the bulk of your studies on electronic engineering and computer science topics, such as radio frequency (RF), Local area network (LAN) and VoIP.

2. Take advanced courses in VoIP to learn about the difficulties the technology has with latent (late) signals. This has to do with the manner in which VoIP transmits information. Older computers and telephone systems with analog (rather than digital) circuitry may experience problems with the VoIP interface and might be unable to receive VoIP without echoing sounds.

3. Continue your education with an advanced degree in a technology-related field. While the minimum requirements to become a VoIP systems engineer is a bachelor's degree, an increasing number of employers are seeking candidates with master's degrees in computer engineering, computer science or electrical engineering.

4. Capitalize on your new electronics training to get a job with an Internet-based or telecommunications company as a technician. Working as a technician will acquaint you with particular systems, and can provide you with the 2 to 5 years of experience most engineering employers seek.

5. Ask to work as a technician near VoIP engineers. You can learn on the job by watching what the engineers do. Make it clear to your employer that you would like to receive specialized VoIP training.

6. Emphasize your detailed nature and your ability to work independently on your resume. VoIP systems engineers must keep every aspect of the system in place, and often need to work with very little supervision.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider undergoing VoIP training while in the military. You can opt for training that focuses on electronic communication, such as the Navy's Electronics Communication Technician program. This training will give you a basic background in electronics that you can use later to gain engineering experience. The Army also offers advanced telecommunications training for service men and women.

• Navy Electronics technicians must not be color blind.

• Expect to be on-call when you are not at work. Systems engineers are often required to fix problems in the system during off hours.