There are countless ways that telecommunications technologies aid in human connection, communication, and collaboration — both on personal and professional levels. With the most robust and secure connectivity ecosystem, anyone across the world can reach exactly the people and places they need in order to come together and drive any important initiative from technological innovation to social progress, or even just a phone call with a loved one across geographical distance.

It’s for this reason that we’ve seen so much collective innovation in this sphere — because at every turn we realize just how paramount proper communication is for business success, for personal relationships, for breaking boundaries, and establishing connections across geographies and beyond. Of course, the job is not done, and the telecommunications ecosystem is always being improved and expanded upon, but the opportunities it continues to offer humanity are increasingly vast and diverse.

 In order to create a more enabled, secure, and interconnected world for following generations, there are a couple of challenges that rise to the top. From a high level, sustainability will be the game-changer for our global future. Ensuring all developments reduce impacts on global environments while innovating is the best way to build stability and opportunity for the future.

Furthermore, security is also top of mind. From a voice and messaging perspective, fraudulent communications continue to plague end users and wreak havoc on personal and corporate security. In order to help global citizens from falling victim to these (without creating an impediment to international communications), more sophisticated and nuanced anti-fraud protocols must continue to be developed. Once the true safety of both our world and our connections are established, the next generations will be very well positioned to enjoy all the benefits of an interconnected world.

This is a simple one: Yes, because our customers and the world at large are asking us to — no, they’re requiring us to. The needs of the day are changing fast, and what were cutting-edge advantages yesterday are now necessities or mere table stakes for users. Faster, more reliable, more secure, and more agile solutions are what keep customers coming back, and they help keep the global flow of communications, business operations, and interpersonal interactions on a path of enablement and advancement. It’s not an option to fail at keeping up with the times, because those that don’t will soon find that they’re not even operating in the same world that everyone else is.

PTC has long established itself as the home of the industry’s leading events, and every year the PTC Annual Conference in Hawaii is where you’ll find every element of the complex global communications ecosystem in one place. Getting to shake hands and share ideas in this forum enables collaboration and innovation at scale with a host of different players. It’s where you end up hearing and participating in the conversations that will define the telecommunications landscape in the months and years to come. The value of that can’t be understated.

Industry collaboration is a big part of what makes many of our business initiatives come to fruition, and sharing the vital nature of phone number intelligence data is a crucial step toward creating a more reliable, secure, and even cost-effective global communications ecosystem. As a result, having all the different members of that ecosystem in one place makes it easy to drive collaboration on pressing industry challenges and the solutions that overcome them.

• Stay up to date with the latest developments and technologies in the telecommunications field. This can involve reading industry publications, attending conferences, and participating in professional development opportunities.
• Gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs, or part-time jobs in the telecommunications industry. This can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you build a network of professional contacts.
• Develop strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Telecommunications professionals often work with a variety of stakeholders and need to be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels of an organization.
• Consider obtaining additional certifications or advanced degrees, as these can help you stand out in a competitive job market and may be required for certain positions.
• Be flexible and adaptable. The telecommunications industry is constantly evolving, and successful professionals need to be able to adapt to new technologies and changing business needs.
• Network and build professional relationships. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, get advice from more experienced professionals, and build a strong professional support system.
• Take advantage of any mentorship or leadership opportunities that come your way.

These experiences can help you develop important skills and provide valuable guidance as you start your career.

Daniel Weiss is the CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I was recently fortunate enough to meet Daniel and hear about his unique career path and key inflection points that led him to his current position. Daniel’s career embodies the points made above, and he is an inspirational leader that has proven successful transitions can be made across multiple industries.