Interpersonal skills. Ability to solve technical problems. High energy level and good judgment. These are a few of the qualities the telecommunications industry is looking for in college graduates. The Information Technology Management program at UW-Stout develops these, and other qualities.
Interested?
Choosing a career path isn't easy. You'll want many opportunities, both financial and professional, throughout your career. The telecommunications industry may offer those opportunities! Telecommunications is an exciting, rapidly changing industry, with opportunities in technical and managerial areas.
Dynamic is a word that defines today's telecommunications industry. Information technology is expanding and growing rapidly. Telecommunications is a progressive, innovative and creative field-the opportunities are endless. It is an exciting, stimulating and challenging industry, which offers career advancement and financial possibilities beyond your wildest dreams.
UW-Stout's program emphasizes written and oral communication, data, voice and media applications. You'll be exposed to all facets of business, management, technology and science.
The technical curriculum in the telecommunication area focuses on contemporary methods of analysis, design, and telecommunication systems solutions. Technical courses are delivered in areas including telephony, networking, telecommunication policy and regulation, administration, video, imaging, and multimedia. Students completing this program will earn these highly respected certifications: Cisco CCNA and CCDA and one or more of the following: Cisco CCNP and Cisco CCDP.
UW-Stout's unique "hands on, minds on" approach to learning is integrated into the program curriculum. The program delivers quality instruction through a blend of theory, experimentation and practice. Faculty are dedicated to helping students succeed.
Additionally, this approach offers you work experience before graduation. Each student participates in an on-campus practicum and has an opportunity to pursue an off-campus field experience, internship or co-op.
Preparing for UW-Stout
Preparation for college begins in high school. We recommend completion of courses in computer science, technology, education, bookkeeping, science, advanced math, speech and advanced writing. Involvement in extracurricular activities is also valuable. Any related work experience is an advantage.
Starting Out
During your first semesters, you'll enroll in foundation courses that will help you refine your career direction. You'll choose aspects of the telecommunication field that interest you most. At the same time, you'll complete your general education requirements. Help with course and career choices is also available through the Advisement and Career Centers, the Counseling Center, and Career Services.
As You Progress
Organizations seek employees who have breadth and depth-who can perform in several areas of the telecommunication field. We encourage you to specialize in two or more career areas. Additionally, the program prepares you to apply special skills in areas involving integration and convergence of telecommunication technologies.
A strong general education foundation is enhanced by business courses in marketing, management, finance, personnel, calculus and accounting. You then select upper-level courses that apply to your personal career goals.
Comprehensive courses in areas such as international studies, information systems and quality management let you apply knowledge from previous courses to a broader view of business. This requirement takes advantage of UW-Stout's technical areas to supplement business courses.
An on-campus practicum, and an off-campus work experience are included in the program to apply course work to solve design, implementation, and management problems found in the telecommunications field.
Student Organizations
Student professional oganizations offer an opportunity to learn outside the classroom setting. The Stout Information Technology and Telecommunication Association (SITTA), founded in 1982, continues to be a dynamic student group. SITTA offers leadership and growth expertise in the field of telecommunications. For example, students developed and maintain a world wide web site, conduct technical seminars for fellow students, organize speakers and tours, and attend national seminars and conferences.
Entry Positions
Qualified professionals with knowledge of all aspects of the telecommunications enterprise are highly sought by government, and industrial, consumer and service businesses. A Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management leads to positions with local, national or international firms. Entry level is determined by variables including electives taken, work experience, personal contacts, grade point average, and economic cycles. The professional certifications earned give students a substantial competitive advantage when entering the job market.
Employment rates for graduates from the school year 2006-07 was 100 percent, and beginning salaries averaged $42,000.