When I started my career in telecoms, I was confused.
Not because I wasn’t capable.
But because there were too many directions.
– IP.
– Optics.
– Packet Core.
– CS Core.
– Transmission.
Every path looked important.
Every senior engineer had a different opinion.
At one point, I even thought about moving into Project Management.
Today, the buzzword is AI.
If you’re a student or recent graduate right now, you’re probably asking yourself:
Should I specialize early?

Is telecom still relevant?

Should I pivot into AI?

What if I choose the wrong path?

I asked myself the same questions.
Here’s what experience has taught me:
You don’t need to figure out your entire career at the beginning.
Most of us started in the NOC.
Some moved from internship into whichever role opened up.
There’s always an element of timing involved.
What matters early on is this:
Build strong foundations.
Learn how systems connect.
Say yes to exposure.
Accumulate skills.
Telecom has evolved — from legacy voice to IP to cloud to AI.
But fundamentals never disappear.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to focus, I understand that phase very well.
I occasionally share guidance with young engineers navigating this space — and I’m always open to thoughtful conversations.
What area are you currently struggling to choose?