To become a voice engineer, it usually is necessary to have a degree in computer science, with an additional certification in voice engineering. The precise requirements for an individual position might vary. It can be helpful to look up job listings for a given region to determine what kinds of qualifications employers look for in their voice engineers, because this can help students make a decision about the best training to pursue to become a voice engineer.
Voice engineers handle telephony and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) systems. They can work for organizations that design systems for use in telecommunications, and they can supervise a system for an employer such as a large corporation or organization. Their work includes designing, troubleshooting, installing and operating voice communication systems. Many workplaces rely on the ability to conference and meet through such systems, and they might have a need for voice engineers. Skilled and experienced engineers tend to have the most job opportunities and might have access to better wages and benefits.
The first step to become a voice engineer usually is a degree in computer science or engineering. Some schools might offer a specific voice engineering major or minor. While in school, students should consider taking as many classes relating to VoIP and telephony as they can, to start developing skills. It also can be helpful to pursue internships in the field to get real-world work experience. Internships also might be useful for networking and job opportunities in the future.
College graduates can pursue a professional certification to become a voice engineer. This might require a class or workshop. Study guides and texts are available for students to use in preparation for the examination. The length of a certification exam and the topics covered can vary, depending on the organization. Applicants for certifications might want to consider which ones are in the highest demand, because not all certifications are created equal.
With a degree and certification, it is possible to become a voice engineer in a variety of settings. For higher-ranking positions or at larger companies, it might be necessary to have some experience as well as training. Employees might start in the lower ranks to develop skills, then pursue more lucrative positions after they are sufficiently experienced. As with other forms of employment, it is helpful to stay with an employer for an extended period of time, because a résumé with lots of records of brief employment is not as impressive as one showing a long stint of employment with one company.
