Education

My education does not align with the traditional US model, so a little explanation is in order:

I grew up in the UK and after completing my secondary education at age 16 I entered an apprenticeship program with what is now British Telecom.

The apprenticeship comprised three years practical training in all aspects of telecommunications systems. This encompassed everything from installing subscriber and business telephone systems, line maintenance, Central Office equipment installation and maintenance, thru FDM + Digital Transmission Systems and Power Plant.

This practical training was interleaved with study at a local Technical College following a national syllabus for Telecommunications Engineering studying Math, Electronics, and Telecommunications Principles. Additionally I attended courses at the various BT training centers.

After completing the apprenticeship, I was assigned a position with BT working on microwave transmission systems for telephony, data and video services. I elected to continue to study outside of working hours for two additional years, culminating in the award of a Full Technological Certificate in Telecommunications Engineering by the City and Guilds of London Institute.

Note that the minimum age for this certification is 21 since it requires the individual to have both completed the required study and gained appropriate professional experience in the engineering discipline.

This provided me with a strong technical foundation and depth of practical experience which I have continued to build upon throughout my career.