If you want to become a communication technician in the United States, it is likely that you will only need a high school diploma or GED to qualify. There are employers, however, who prefer to hire candidates who have gone through technical training of some type. This does not mean that you necessarily need to have technical certifications, but it will be helpful if you have taken one or two classes that deal with a technical discipline that is of interest to you. In some instances, employers might want to hire people who have at least attended college, though a degree is usually not expected. Military experience of a technical nature may also qualify you for some communication technician jobs.
You should be physically able to meet the demands of this position. While the physical demands will certainly vary to some degree between employers, you should expect to be required to lift, carry, push, or pull various objects that you may use during the course of your daily activities. To become a communication technician and be successful in this field, you may need to be comfortable crawling in damp, dark spaces and climbing poles or ladders. For this reason, it is important that candidates for these careers not have a fear of heights.
Depending on the type of company you work for, a large part of your daily routine may involve driving between customers' homes to address their technological problems. Therefore, in order to become a communication technician, you will need to have a good driving record. You should also have a serious sense of responsibility to others, as you will be handling a lot of company equipment and dealing with customers who need your expertise.
Many employers expect people in these positions to work flexible, or rotating, schedules. If you want to become a communication technician, you should prepare yourself for the possibility of having to work nights, weekends, or holidays, on occasion. In some of these jobs, such hours could even be a part of your normal routine. In addition to having a flexible attitude about your work schedule, it will also be helpful if you have a personable demeanor and outgoing personality.
As a communication technician, you may be expected to have excellent communication skills. You will be talking to various customers regularly, so you should be able to communicate verbally, and in writing, so that your thoughts or instructions can be clearly understood. You might also be required to complete reports for your employer, either on paper or in an electronic system.
