Today the world is largely dependent on digital environments to get work done. Most business functions require a computer network to operate on. These could be Local Area Networks (LAN) or Wireless local Area Networks (WLAN). Some businesses use VoIP to communicate with teams and clients. Whenever there is a problem with any of these networks, it will result in a loss of productivity.  The role of a network engineer is to oversee designing and implementing complex computer networks that companies depend on. These could include Wi-Fi, internet, phone systems and intranet systems. Once these infrastructures are built and launched, the role of a network engineer is to maintain it.

What is a network engineer?

A network engineer is essentially a technology professional who has the necessary skills to plan, implement and oversee the computer networks that support in-house voice, data , video and wireless networks.

Although network engineer and network administrator are terms that are used interchangeably, a network engineer has more administrative responsibilities than a network administrator. The engineer deals more with planning, design and technical specifications. The administrator deals with day-to-day maintenance, management and troubleshooting.

What does a network engineer do?

The focus of a network engineer is to deliver a network infrastructure that is easily available and to also sustain the user’s online and on-site information technology activities. A network engineer also designs and implements network configurations, troubleshoots any performance issues, works on network monitoring and configures security systems such as firewalls. Most often they report to a chief information security officer and other business leaders to decide on overall business goals, network status updates and policies. In many situations, a network engineer  manages capacity and carries out on-site or remote support.

How to become a network engineer?

If you are considering this as a career path, there are some steps that you have to follow. Let us examine them closely.

Studying a relevant field and getting a degree

For most network engineer jobs, you will be required to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as information technology, information systems, computer science or computer engineering. There are some schools that specifically offer a degree in network engineering. You may not require a master’s degree and sometimes even an undergraduate degree in an associated field is sufficient. For leadership positions in some companies, they look for candidates with an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Information Systems.

Get an entry-level job

Normally, roles for network engineers need 5 to 10 years of work experience in a computer-related role. So immediately after getting your degree, it may be a good idea to look for a position as a network technician, systems administrator, network administrator, computer network analyst or other similar roles. You can gain relevant experience and build your technical skills with an entry-level role. These entry-level network engineer jobs will give you real world experience in managing and working with a business network.

Talk to industry experts

You will need to grow your professional circle and connect with an industry leader or find a mentor who can help you understand your options as a network engineer. They can also help you with what steps you must take to reach your goals.

Get the right certifications and qualifications

Information security is vital for network design. A Network engineer must be familiar with cybersecurity concepts like threat intelligence, data protection, key compliance and forensics. You need to consider earning a professional certification in cybersecurity. Apart from this, since more and more companies are turning to cloud computing to meet their business needs, they will need a network engineer who can design, optimize and manage networks in a cloud environment. Hence it maybe a good idea to get a cloud network engineer certification as well.

You will also need to know code to work as a network engineer. Learning certain programming languages like Python, Perl, Bash and Golang will help you become a stronger candidate and perform your job more effectively. Some companies also require engineers and architects who are certified in products that they use. Some popular options that you could consider certifying in are CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Project+ and CompTIA Security+.

Many companies allow you to get certified specifically for their products. For instance, Amazon, Microsoft, Cisco and Linux all offer brand certifications.

Network engineer skills

A network engineer must be able to understand complex networks and pinpoint problems or suggest ways to improve them. The engineer must work collaboratively and be able to instruct other engineers and support staff on how to operate the network. At work, a network engineer will have to deal with both engineers and line-of- business colleagues who may not have any understanding of networking. Therefore in addition to technical skills, it is important for a network engineer to have analytical, leadership, organizational and communication skills. They must also have attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Summary

Within the networking field, a network engineer may pursue different paths. For instance, network analysts specialize in installation and maintenance of networks and crossover between the technical and business sides of an organization. Network managers perform a similar role but must train and direct network technicians.

Pursuing a career in network engineering is worth your while. This is because computer occupations are increasing in general with network and computer systems administrators seeing a growth. To become a network engineer, takes the right amount of IT and network experience, education, certifications, and a problem-solving spirit. 

People Also Ask

1. Where do network engineers work?

Network engineers work for mid-sized to large companies and majorly work on designing, implementing and maintaining a company’s internal infrastructure, network, IT support and system administration.

2. Is network engineering a good career in india?

Network engineering is one of the highest paying jobs in the networking industry. These engineers create cost-efficient and effective network design for the firm. 

3. How long does it take to become a network engineer?

It may take a few years to become a network engineer depending on educational qualifications, certification done and work experience.