Tekle is 21 years old and is a 2nd Year Degree Apprentice in Digital Technology Solution & Network Engineering at BT. One of the world’s leading communications services companies, it is the parent company for BT, EE, Plusnet & Openreach.
Here he shares the story of his career so far, in his own words.
I am currently in the Design Verification Testing team and my role is to configure, troubleshoot and test BT's infrastructure for the Global Network Fabric, which is BT's latest enterprise/customer network. I work closely with Cisco and Juniper technologies to ensure the smooth operation and performance of the network. On a day-to-day basis, I work in the lab installing, cabling, and configuring equipment to ensure the reliability and functionality of the network.
Hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology: Working with Cisco and Juniper technologies allows me to stay at the forefront of network infrastructure. I enjoy the opportunity to configure and test these advanced devices, constantly learning and improving my skills in the process.
Solving complex challenges: Design Verification Testing often presents intricate problems that require creative solutions. I find great satisfaction in tackling these challenges, whether it is troubleshooting network issues, optimising configurations, or ensuring compatibility between different components.
Contributing to impactful projects: Being part of the team responsible for the Global Network Fabric means that my work directly impacts the efficiency and reliability of a critical enterprise/customer network.
I heard about the job during a career fair at my school and I actively checked for job openings and came across the advertisement on the BT website.
When I applied, the requirements were that I needed to achieve three A-Levels with a minimum of BBC grades. Additionally, I needed a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C or above), including English and Maths. But it is advisable to verify the location and year as qualifications required may vary right now.
BT provides vouchers for any external qualifications that are related with the job, such as CCNA, CCNB, Devnet, CompTIA Network+, etc. For example, I recently signed up for a summer challenge for a Juniper Network course through the University of Suffolk and have successfully completed the JNCAA - Junos, Associate (JNCIA-Junos) certification.
Explore apprenticeship programs in your desired field, try to gain work experience in the field you are interested in while you are in school, and determine if it is a good fit for you. When applying for a job, no one expects you to know everything about the role. You just need to be eager to learn and be confident.
I am currently in the Design Verification Testing team and my role is to configure, troubleshoot and test BT's infrastructure for the Global Network Fabric, which is BT's latest enterprise/customer network. I work closely with Cisco and Juniper technologies to ensure the smooth operation and performance of the network. On a day-to-day basis, I work in the lab installing, cabling, and configuring equipment to ensure the reliability and functionality of the network.
Hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology: Working with Cisco and Juniper technologies allows me to stay at the forefront of network infrastructure. I enjoy the opportunity to configure and test these advanced devices, constantly learning and improving my skills in the process.
Solving complex challenges: Design Verification Testing often presents intricate problems that require creative solutions. I find great satisfaction in tackling these challenges, whether it is troubleshooting network issues, optimising configurations, or ensuring compatibility between different components.
Contributing to impactful projects: Being part of the team responsible for the Global Network Fabric means that my work directly impacts the efficiency and reliability of a critical enterprise/customer network.
I heard about the job during a career fair at my school and I actively checked for job openings and came across the advertisement on the BT website.
When I applied, the requirements were that I needed to achieve three A-Levels with a minimum of BBC grades. Additionally, I needed a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C or above), including English and Maths. But it is advisable to verify the location and year as qualifications required may vary right now.
BT provides vouchers for any external qualifications that are related with the job, such as CCNA, CCNB, Devnet, CompTIA Network+, etc. For example, I recently signed up for a summer challenge for a Juniper Network course through the University of Suffolk and have successfully completed the JNCAA - Junos, Associate (JNCIA-Junos) certification.
Explore apprenticeship programs in your desired field, try to gain work experience in the field you are interested in while you are in school, and determine if it is a good fit for you. When applying for a job, no one expects you to know everything about the role. You just need to be eager to learn and be confident.