From studying Communications Engineering at RMIT to being the General Manager Enterprise, Business and Government - Wireless Access at Telstra, alumni Stephen Howell’s education set him on a decades long career path with Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company.
Stephen manages engineering designs for large corporate and government organisations for bespoke wireless network systems at Telstra.
“For example, we design, build and manage the police and emergency push-to-talk network in Victoria and Queensland,” says Stephen.
After completing his Bachelor of Engineering degree in communications engineering at RMIT, he was offered a job at Telstra in their mobile network technology team.
“I was lucky to start in this area when mobiles were just taking off, which gave me leverage to move forward in my career,” says Stephen.
“I worked in and managed that team for a few decades, before creating my current team about five years ago.”
His RMIT education not only gave him the knowledge and practical skills to do the job, but it was also his steppingstone to Telstra.
“When I did my undergrad 12-week placement, I did this with the team in Telstra that offered me my first job,” says Stephen.
“That’s why it’s so important to choose your placement well, as it can give you a great start on your chosen career path.”
Stephen has always stayed with Telstra as he felt the work challenging and rewarding.
“I love the ability to do technical things in my job,” says Stephen. “Also, seeing a project from the beginning to completion, like the 3G and consequently 4G rollout, is very rewarding.”
Stephen loves that he was able to turn a hobby and passion into a career.
“From a young age, I was an amateur radio operator, like so many people working here at Telstra,” says Stephen.
“But I think it all started in Year 7, when our physics teacher ran an electronics club at lunch time.”
“If you have a natural interest in something, and you’re good at it, you will continue following that path.”
When I did my undergrad 12-week placement, I did this with the team in Telstra that offered me my first job. That’s why it’s so important to choose your placement well, as it can give you a great start on your chosen career path.
What’s next?
5G is only in its very beginnings, and Stephen is excited to see it maturing and enabling new technology.
“We’ll see an explosion in real time and immersive communication. The virtual world is on the rise,” says Stephen.
On a personal level, Stephen is moving into the final stages of his career before thinking about retirement.
“In the next stage, I will be working with agile frameworks and new ways of working. This will be my last challenge as I move past 60.”
