Cable Television Technicians

Employers

There are about 159,670 people working in the installation, maintenance, and repair sector of the telecommunications equipment industry, including cable television equipment services. Cable television technicians work for cable TV companies in large cities and small towns. Some smaller towns may have only one cable provider, while there may be more than one in large cities. Technicians may work for a locally owned company or for the local office of a large, national corporation, such as Cox Communications. The company may offer services in addition to cable television, such as Internet access and local telephone service.

Starting Out

Two ways to enter this field are either as an unskilled installer who moves up after either receiving on-the-job training; or by completing an electronics or telecommunications program in a technical school or through the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and then starting work as an electronics technician or cable television technician. Many times, recruiters from various companies visit technical schools or hold job fairs in which they interview students for positions that begin immediately after training has been completed. Students can also check with their school's career services office for postings by employers or to get leads on companies that are hiring.

Employment Web sites, classified ads, and state employment offices are other good sources of job leads. Interested persons also can apply directly to a cable television company or contractor.