What they do

Have dreams of working outdoors? Can’t think of anything more exciting than spending your day in a bucket, high above the ground? If this is you, consider a job as a telecommunications lineman, one of the most critical jobs in the industry. These hearty souls brave the weather and treacherous conditions to lay cable and install new lines, and when phone or internet service goes out due to storms or accidents, linemen are the first to the scene to climb poles, examine the damage, and troubleshoot a solution that restores connectivity.

 

How they can help

After a storm or accident in which fiber cables are damaged, it’s easy to see a cut or break in the line. In those instances, new cable can be installed and service is easily restored. But sometimes, power or connectivity is lost and there is no visible damage; in those instances, linemen have to troubleshoot equipment, test cables, and develop creative ways to reestablish service. Often, they are doing this challenging, brain-teasing work dozens of feet above the ground AND in windy, rainy, or freezing conditions.

 

What tools they can use

Unlike many of the highly technical positions previously detailed in this column, telecom lineman use tools most construction workers would be comfortable with. In their toolbox are drills, pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches as well as specialized tools designed to work with cable including crimpers, stripping tools, splicers, cutters, and testers.

 

How they got there

While a college degree is not required, most utility companies require a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license. No other pre-requisites are required—and many firms provide on-the-job training and apprenticeships—but it will help to have basic knowledge/experience with hand tools, construction equipment, and wiring. Because of the physical nature of the job, being fit and strong (and not afraid of heights!) will definitely help in getting a job in this field and excelling as a lineman.