How Do I Become a Telegraphist?

It is very difficult to become a telegraphist in the modern world, since other modes of communication have largely replaced telegrams. Some developing nations and niche markets do still employ telegraphists. Someone who wants to become a telegraphist, however, might opt to do so as a hobby rather than a career. In either case, an aspiring telegraphist will need to learn both the basics of Morse code and the specific steps needed to operate several pieces of machinery.

Telegraphists are responsible for encoding, sending, and decoding messages using a telegraph. Originally, these messages were sent in the form of electrical impulses over copper wires. Messages were encoded in Morse code, which uses a series of dots and dashes to represent letters. When radios became available, similar protocols were used to transmit messages via wireless telegraphy. Improved automation made the process of sending and receiving messages via both types of system much easier throughout the 20th century.

In the modern world, most of the work once done by telegraphists is now done by other communications technologies. Telephones and the Internet have large replaced telegraphy. In some areas of the world, however, telegraphs and telegrams are still used, either to serve very poor and remote areas or out of a sense of nostalgia.

A person hoping to become a telegraphist in one of the areas that still uses telegrams will need to learn the specific systems used by a particular local communications company. Many of these systems use hybrid technologies that combine old and new methods of data transmission. Companies will often provide specific training as needed. It may be necessary for an aspiring telegraphist to learn Morse code, but this is far from a universal requirement. Telegraphist duties vary widely from region to region and may simply involve sending and receiving messages and may include delivering them as well.

Historical re-enactment is popular in many places, and a re-enactor might wish to become a telegraphist as a hobby rather than a career. In this case, an aspiring telegraphist should study the specific operation of any equipment used by his or her group. This might involve learning how to operate an antique Victorian telegraph and learning Morse code. The greatest difficulty facing someone hoping to become a telegraphist for reenactment purposes might well be the acquisition of appropriate equipment. Re-enactors may have to settle for learning about the profession rather than actually learning the skills needed to work as a telegraphist.