What they do all day? Many companies rely on networking technology for wireless networks, video conferencing and broadband connections. Telecommunications network engineers design, install, test, troubleshoot and maintain these networks, including data, voice, and video.

How to get the job? Analytical skills and the ability to work well under pressure are musts; a master's in network engineering is a plus. Many people start out in a help desk role and work their way up. A certification from a company such as Cisco, Microsoft, or (ISC)² can help you make the leap from a different area of IT.

What's great? What's not? The work is varied and the hours are generally reasonable -- until a system goes down. Then suddenly a lot of people are demanding it get back up and running ASAP, which can mean working late into the night or on weekends. --K.A.

What they do all day? Many companies rely on networking technology for wireless networks, video conferencing and broadband connections. Telecommunications network engineers design, install, test, troubleshoot and maintain these networks, including data, voice, and video. --K.A.