Next Gen

For the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

Empowering the future of our industry through education, mentorship, and hands-on experience

Paving the Way for Industry Innovators

At SubOptic Foundation, we empower the next generation of submarine cable professionals through impactful programmes designed to inspire, engage, and enlighten.

SubOptic Association

Mentorship Programmes

The DIB working group mentorship programmes bring together experienced industry professionals to guide and support aspiring talent, fostering meaningful connections.

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SubOptic Foundation

Educational Programmes

In partnership with universities such as UC Berkeley and UNiGE, the SubOptic Foundation offers subsea telecom certificates and transferable credits, providing students with valuable skills and recognition.

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SubOptic Foundation

WAVE Symposia

Connecting young professionals and industry experts, to discuss the key issues in subsea telecoms. These symposia, which are tailored to local language and regions, encourage networking and create reusable educational content.

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Real Impact, Real Stories

Our programmes pave the way for aspiring professionals to explore diverse pathways and careers in the submarine cable industry. From WAVE, which introduces students to subsea telecom careers, to the SubOptic Certificate in Global Digital Infrastructure, and onward to undergraduate qualifications through UNiGE, we provide a structured journey for the next generation.



Explore inspiring stories and milestones that highlight the impact of SubOptic Foundation’s Next Gen initiatives:

Mentorship Programmes

Our mentorship programmes foster connections between mentors and mentees, driving personal and professional growth.

Are you interested in becoming a mentor or mentee in future mentorship programmes? Email dib@suboptic.org

"Being a mentee at SubOptic within the DIB working group was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to expand my knowledge beyond configurations, gain insights into the broader aspects of the industry, and significantly improve my networking skills by connecting with professionals from diverse backgrounds."
Olúmáyòwá Akinkuehinmi
DevOps Engineer, Engage Messaging
Being a mentor in the submarine cable industry is a unique experience, very rewarding and satisfying. Seeing, discussing, learning, teaching, etc. interested and enthusiastic mentees the “ropes” of this “secret” community, which serves billions of people with the essential “online” connectivity
Eckhard Bruckschen
Mentor
“Rewarding experience. I am passionate about bringing more people into our particular sub-segment of the wider industry. It is important to understand the goals of people wanting to join our space, and also the challenges they face in their roles with respect to getting the right knowledge and experience on their journey. I find this process has the potential to help both mentor and mentee equally if approached openly, which is a very good thing.”
Nigel Bayliff
Sr. Director, Global Submarine Network, Google
"When I first heard about the SubOptic DIB Mentoring program, I was more than a little doubtful about the impact such an endeavour would have on encouraging, retaining and educating new entrants or young engineers starting their careers in our submarine cable industry. However, I decided to volunteer as a mentor and can categorically confirm what an amazing experience this has been for me. Meeting young engineers online through Teams video calls who are enthusiastic about their careers and talking through technical issues and transferring knowledge has been a privilege."
Jerry Brown
Director, Ocean Cables Ltd

CrewTube

CrewTube is a SubOptic Foundation initiative that brings the submarine cable industry to life through real stories from the experts who’ve been there. These short videos share exciting adventures, unexpected challenges, and firsthand insights—giving the next generation a glimpse into the highs, lows, and hidden world of undersea networks

Empower the Next Generation

Join the movement shaping the future of the submarine cable industry and ensuring its benefits serve the global public good. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an organisation, there’s a way for you to make a meaningful impact:

  • For Students: Discover educational opportunities and resources that open doors to diverse roles in the submarine cable industry, helping to shape a more inclusive and resilient digital future.
  • For Professionals: Become a mentor and share your expertise to guide the next generation of leaders committed to fostering fair competition and sustainable infrastructure development.
  • For Organisations: Sponsor initiatives that empower emerging talent, support underserved regions, and help align network resilience and development with the broader public good.