How to become a network engineer
So you want to become a network engineer. Where do you start?
That's the good news - network engineers are in high demand. Businesses invest in newer and faster technologies and mobile networks every day, which increases the need for well-trained network engineers.
What is a network engineer?
Network engineers (called network architects) plan, create, and manage networks to make sure they're optimized and working as intended.
As a network engineer, you are responsible for setting up the IT system of an organization (and implicitly the entire organization).
As network engineers or IT administrators help with day-to-day IT activities and troubleshooting, network engineers face the challenge of designing and improving networks.
Depending on your organization, you create and deploy physical and wireless networks, solve problems, and explore and integrate new technologies. Here are some frequently asked questions about your network career:
Is Networking a Good Career? Network technology is a rapidly growing profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the employment of network engineers is expected to increase by 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, above the average for all occupations.
How much do network engineers earn? The national average salary for network engineers is over $ 72,000. Young network engineers earn around $ 64,000. The average salary for network analysts is $ 59,000.
Experience level: most network engineers have 5-10 years of experience.
How to Become a Network Engineer
If you want to get into network technology, read the first steps.
Get your bachelor's degree
Enterprises generally require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or computer engineering. Depending on their function, some organizations may require you to obtain a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Computer Science before applying.
Gain relevant IT experience
A bachelor's or master's degree will put your foot in the door. But it is not enough. Learning IT skills in the workplace is essential to becoming a network engineer.
First, you need to build a network base. An entry level support desk or IT support role is a great way to develop real and basic IT skills.
If you're just starting out, here are some of the networking skills you should focus on:
Basics for network engineers
- Clients and Servers: How to connect emails, websites, and pages to networks
- IP addresses: Unique IDs for network devices that control the flow of data
- Network Hubs, Cables, and Switches: The hardware blocks for each network
- Firewalls and Routers: Tools that organize and control network traffic
where do network engineers work, be creative as you pick places to gain experience with. Volunteers for small businesses or friends. Try an internship. Create your own PC or a full-stack network project. You acquire network knowledge, expand your project portfolio and have something to discuss in job interviews.
Once you've acquired basic IT skills, look for more relevant locations across the network. Working as a network engineer or network analyst can help you gain network experience. They help senior engineers with network tasks and can improve their skills in this way.
Maximize the experience in each role. Work on as many different projects as possible. Volunteers to take on new tasks. Make connections with partner engineers or suppliers. They are rounder and can reduce your specialization.
Identify the desired network engineering path
Once you have gained entry-level IT experience, you need to identify your career path. Careers and positions in network engineering vary widely depending on industry, company and technology.
If you're just starting out, here's a list of available networking:
- Network Specialist
- Network Administrator
- Network engineers
- Network Analyst
- Network Manager
- Network engineers
- Network Solutions Architect
- Specialize in your network role
You may specialize even more in your networking career. The roles range from cloud and security specialties such as a network security specialist or a cloud network architect to radio and VoIP concentrations as quality assurance for the wireless network or VoIP technician.