Network engineering is a process in which an independent
contractor or company will determine the inter networking requirements
for switched networks and then develop and implement the hardware or
software in order to meet the needs of the system's users. Network
engineers are the spines of the computer infrastructure for any
business. The larger businesses have the ability to employ several
network engineers whereas other smaller businesses often hire a
consultant who is summoned only when the network has problems or needs
an update.
In order to join the team of network engineers, you
must have the necessary skills as well as a love of computers. As with
any other career, you also need to follow certain steps in order to
accomplish your goal. These are the top five requirements needed to
become a network engineer.
1. While you're in college, take
another computer related field. Although it's called network engineering
you don't need an engineering degree. You also have the option of
studying a totally different major or minor than information technology
(IT).
2. While in school, try and hook a job in the campus IT
office. Some colleges hire students as IT support techs that work in the
dorm and classroom environments. The job usually counts as part of your
computer studies and it is a great opportunity to build up your resume.
3.
Learn how all different types of operating systems work. This is
important because there are many businesses that use different systems
for their computers and company laptops as well. Make sure to
familiarize yourself with all of them, otherwise you will not be the
broad-based network engineer that companies will hire.
4. If you
get an internship, try and pick a company that specifically has an IT
department or is an IT consulting firm. There are a lot more students
majoring in the computer-related industries these days. That's why the
experience you acquire needs to be a cut above the rest.
5.
Communication is a key element in a networking engineer's career.
Therefore, if this is the profession that you choose, you will often be
working with others that are not as tech savvy as you will be. You need
to be able to speak your special lingo in laymen's terms. If you have a
problem with communication, perhaps taking a communications skills class
can help you improve.
There are the chosen few that have had the
ability to become engineers without a college degree. These individuals
have been able to use their innate computer knowledge to gain some
success in the field. However, are usually in the minority of network
engineers because many who study on their own will lack other essential
skills needed for this profession. Employers looking to hire a network
engineer will most likely go for the one who holds the degree. They want
to hire an engineer that will be able to adapt to many different
scenarios and handle various issues that might arise. Network engineers
that hold degrees have the upper hand because they know how to tackle
any situation due to their advanced training.
It is always best to
take it a step further after getting a degree in computer science or
IT. There are important certifications to obtain that prove your
knowledge of the important hardware and software used by network
engineers. These certifications are named after the companies that make
the equipment and/or the software, such as Cisco, Microsoft, Novell and
Oracle. Cisco certifications are the most numerous, and most important.
Of all of them, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is the
"expert level" certification, and is held by fewer than three network
engineers in a hundred.
Be prepared to work long hours and shifts
that might start in the evenings. Businesses usually want all of the
network maintenance completed at night in order to avoid disruption
during normal business hours. There will also be many tasks that you
will perform such as:
- managing anti-spam and viral protection;
- monitoring usage of the network;
- suggesting and providing IT solutions for business and management issues;
- installing, maintaining and supporting existing and new server and hardware/software infrastructure;
- ensuring that all of the IT equipment being used is in compliance with the industries' standards;
- using the most cost-efficient and -effective ways to use the servers;
- setting up passwords, user accounts and permissions;
- monitoring the way in which employees use the web;
- providing training to other users with varying levels of IT knowledge;
- working closely with other departments and IT staff members; and
- keeping all internal networks up and running.
Although there
are many tasks to handle when you're a network engineer, the
opportunity to take a love and knowledge of computers and expand it into
a fulfilling career can be a life-changing experience. If you use the
tools available to you, there is no reason that you can't obtain a
degree, some industry certifications or both in this fast-growing field.
