10 answers
Kota
Student
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India
3
Questions
Asked
1157 views
How to start a career in networking ?
I am a student and I want to career in networking how? #networking #cybersecurity#cloud computing #IoT #career
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10 answers
Mitchell Harrison
Systems Administrator/Radio Communications Technician
23
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Mitchell’s Answer
The standards of your home country are foreign to me, but if it's anything like the American network scene, certifications and degrees are king. If you like cloud computing, Amazon Web Certs are great. If you want more general IT knowledge, CompTIA certs are where to go. There are also various programming certifications to look at if you want to add that to your resume.
And of course, if you can get a degree in the subject, that would be a huge step up. Good luck!
Amazon Web Certs (generally for people with baseline networking knowledge): https://aws.amazon.com/certification/
CompTIA certs go down to the very basics of computer use and go up from there. These are my favorite: https://www.comptia.org/certifications
Python is a good place to start if you're into programming: https://pythoninstitute.org/
And of course, if you can get a degree in the subject, that would be a huge step up. Good luck!
Mitchell recommends the following next steps:
Mitchell,thanks for answering ,but I need one more favor from your side is I want a path from end to end in networking if possible ?
Kota
If you want the most clear-cut path in networks, I'll give you the certification order that I would recommend: A+, Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, Cloud Essentials+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and then climb the AWS cert chain on whatever branch you like. Cybersecurity certs are great too. Programming ones are just icing on the cake, but my mentor is a PhD student and he's telling me that because everything is so cloud-based that a lot of network management is going to be custom scripts writting in Python and bash scripts and stuff, so I think it might be helpful to throw them in for getting ready for the future of the field.
Mitchell Harrison
Thank you ..😊
Kota
Of course! :)
Mitchell Harrison
Thank you for the answer, sir! I really appreciate your efforts to provide students like me with the knowledge they need to be successful in the IT and networking field!
Aun
Absolutely, no problem at all. I enjoy it!
Mitchell Harrison
sushma Bekal
Technical Support
30
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
sushma’s Answer
What Is a Network Engineer?
Network engineers (also called network architects) plan, construct and manage networks to ensure they’re optimized and functioning as intended.
As a network engineer, you’re responsible for the foundation of an organization’s IT system (and by default, the entire organization).
While network technicians or IT administrators assist with daily IT and troubleshooting tasks, network engineers take on the high-level challenge of designing and improving networks.
Depending on the company, you’ll be creating and implementing physical and wireless networks, troubleshooting issues and researching and integrating new technologies.
How to Become a Network Engineer
If you’re looking to break into the field of network engineering, here’s how to get started.
Get Your Bachelor’s Degree
Companies typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or computer engineering. Depending on the role, some organizations also ask that you earn a master’s in business administration (MBA) or computer science before applying.
Earn Relevant IT Experience
A bachelor’s or master’s degree will get your foot in the door. But it’s not enough. Learning on-the-job IT skills are critical to becoming a network engineer.
First, you need to build a networking foundation. A help desk or entry-level IT support role is a great way to develop fundamental, real-world IT skills.
If you're just starting out, here are the networking skills you should focus on developing:
Network Engineer Basics
Clients and servers: How email, websites and pages connect using networks
IP addresses: Unique identification codes for network devices that control the flow of data
Network hubs, cables and switches: The hardware building blocks of any network
Firewalls and routers: Tools that organize and control network traffic flow
Get creative when choosing places to gain experience. Volunteer for small businesses or friends. Try an internship. Build your own PC or full stack networking project. You’ll gain networking skills, expand your portfolio of projects and you’ll have something to talk about in job interviews.
Once you’ve got the basic IT skills down, look for more relevant networking positions. Working as a junior network engineer or network analyst can help you gain networking experience. You’ll be assisting senior engineers with networking tasks, and it’s a great way to build your skill set.
Maximize the experience in every role. Work on as many different projects as you can. Volunteer to take on new tasks. Make connections with partner engineers or vendors. You’ll be more well-rounded, and it will help you narrow down your specialization.
Identify the Networking Engineering Path You Want
Once you’ve gained entry-level IT experience, you need to identify your career path. Networking engineering careers and positions vary widely depending on the industry, company and technology.
If you’re just starting out, here’s a list of some of the networking jobs available:
Network Specialist
Network Administrator
Network Technician
Network Analyst
Network Manager
Network Engineer
Network Solutions Architect
Specialize Your Networking Role
You may specialize even further in the course of your networking career. Roles range from cloud and security specializations, such as a network security specialist or cloud networking architect, to wireless and VoIP concentrations as a wireless networking quality assurance or VoIP engineer.
You could also choose to dabble in a little bit of everything as a full stack network engineer (FSNE).
Networks are complicated. Rather than hiring people to focus on each area of IT, companies are increasingly looking for professionals with cross-functional skills. Full stack network engineers are trained in all areas of IT from routing, wireless, security, data center, automation, cloud and VoIP.
Supplement Your Skills With Networking Training and Courses
CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA Network+ Certification
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Core Infrastructure
VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Routing and Switching
Cisco Certified Network Professional Level (CCNP) – Routing and Switching
Network engineers (also called network architects) plan, construct and manage networks to ensure they’re optimized and functioning as intended.
As a network engineer, you’re responsible for the foundation of an organization’s IT system (and by default, the entire organization).
While network technicians or IT administrators assist with daily IT and troubleshooting tasks, network engineers take on the high-level challenge of designing and improving networks.
Depending on the company, you’ll be creating and implementing physical and wireless networks, troubleshooting issues and researching and integrating new technologies.
How to Become a Network Engineer
If you’re looking to break into the field of network engineering, here’s how to get started.
Get Your Bachelor’s Degree
Companies typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or computer engineering. Depending on the role, some organizations also ask that you earn a master’s in business administration (MBA) or computer science before applying.
Earn Relevant IT Experience
A bachelor’s or master’s degree will get your foot in the door. But it’s not enough. Learning on-the-job IT skills are critical to becoming a network engineer.
First, you need to build a networking foundation. A help desk or entry-level IT support role is a great way to develop fundamental, real-world IT skills.
If you're just starting out, here are the networking skills you should focus on developing:
Network Engineer Basics
Clients and servers: How email, websites and pages connect using networks
IP addresses: Unique identification codes for network devices that control the flow of data
Network hubs, cables and switches: The hardware building blocks of any network
Firewalls and routers: Tools that organize and control network traffic flow
Get creative when choosing places to gain experience. Volunteer for small businesses or friends. Try an internship. Build your own PC or full stack networking project. You’ll gain networking skills, expand your portfolio of projects and you’ll have something to talk about in job interviews.
Once you’ve got the basic IT skills down, look for more relevant networking positions. Working as a junior network engineer or network analyst can help you gain networking experience. You’ll be assisting senior engineers with networking tasks, and it’s a great way to build your skill set.
Maximize the experience in every role. Work on as many different projects as you can. Volunteer to take on new tasks. Make connections with partner engineers or vendors. You’ll be more well-rounded, and it will help you narrow down your specialization.
Identify the Networking Engineering Path You Want
Once you’ve gained entry-level IT experience, you need to identify your career path. Networking engineering careers and positions vary widely depending on the industry, company and technology.
If you’re just starting out, here’s a list of some of the networking jobs available:
Network Specialist
Network Administrator
Network Technician
Network Analyst
Network Manager
Network Engineer
Network Solutions Architect
Specialize Your Networking Role
You may specialize even further in the course of your networking career. Roles range from cloud and security specializations, such as a network security specialist or cloud networking architect, to wireless and VoIP concentrations as a wireless networking quality assurance or VoIP engineer.
You could also choose to dabble in a little bit of everything as a full stack network engineer (FSNE).
Networks are complicated. Rather than hiring people to focus on each area of IT, companies are increasingly looking for professionals with cross-functional skills. Full stack network engineers are trained in all areas of IT from routing, wireless, security, data center, automation, cloud and VoIP.
Supplement Your Skills With Networking Training and Courses
CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA Network+ Certification
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Core Infrastructure
VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Routing and Switching
Cisco Certified Network Professional Level (CCNP) – Routing and Switching
Anilkumar Dantu
service
9
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anilkumar’s Answer
To start with carrier in networking - it would be an advantage to have CCNA certification. Have this certification will help you in getting a Job as Level1/Level2 engineer in Sevice provicer NOC or Planning/deployment teams. With on job exposure you can start pursuing CCNP and CCIE as you go along. In networking you have lots of domains - Enterprise networking (supporting internal networks of organisations/offices - LAN, WAN, wireless, basic security, storate, datacenters etc), Service providers networking (these are ISPs providing network connectivity to organisations/offices - WAN, internet,L3VPN,L2VPN,TV cable networks,Datacenters, basic security), Security networking (covers security products in both enterprise and Service providers), Datacenter & Cloud (these are for cloud/datcenter networking - Servers,storage,switching,basic routing,basic security etc). Based on your interest you can start with any one and as move along you can always gain knowledge from other domains. Important is to first get started and start gaining knowledge via centification and hands on exposure.
Best of luck on your journey.
Best of luck on your journey.
Karen Reid
Business Development
3
Answers
Lewes, Delaware
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Join social sites that concentrate on business - LinkedIn etc.
Create as many contacts as possible on LinkedIn and utilize the people that do connect with you to work your networking type of business. You can also use local sites via Facebook to create a community to network with and through --
Create as many contacts as possible on LinkedIn and utilize the people that do connect with you to work your networking type of business. You can also use local sites via Facebook to create a community to network with and through --
I would agree. Spend some time network and meeting people in the field that you'd like to work in.
George Zastrow
Srinivas Swargam
Renewals Manager
2
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Srinivas’s Answer
Hi Kota,
You may explore this if it is useful with Cisco Networking Academy to build your skills and its free @
https://www.cisco.com/c/m/en_sg/partners/cisco-networking-academy/index.html#~stickynav=1
Best regards,
Sri
You may explore this if it is useful with Cisco Networking Academy to build your skills and its free @
https://www.cisco.com/c/m/en_sg/partners/cisco-networking-academy/index.html#~stickynav=1
Best regards,
Sri
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
232
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Tejendra,
I'm not sure what opportunities you have in India, but I had a friend who became a successful network engineer by earning an "Enterprise Networking" Associate Degree at a local community college (https://www.foothill.edu/onlinelearning/students/aa_courses/aa_enterprise_networking.html). He was working in IT (doing desktop support) while he earned the degree, then transferred to the networking team as a junior network engineer when the opportunity became available.
Perhaps there are similar courses in colleges in Rajamahendravaram?
--
Dexter
I'm not sure what opportunities you have in India, but I had a friend who became a successful network engineer by earning an "Enterprise Networking" Associate Degree at a local community college (https://www.foothill.edu/onlinelearning/students/aa_courses/aa_enterprise_networking.html). He was working in IT (doing desktop support) while he earned the degree, then transferred to the networking team as a junior network engineer when the opportunity became available.
Perhaps there are similar courses in colleges in Rajamahendravaram?
--
Dexter
Thanks Dexter's.
Kota
Aditya Kishore
Engineer
4
Answers
Patna, Bihar, India
Updated
Aditya’s Answer
Hey, it is a great choice that you have made. The networking field is quite broad, ever developing, quite interesting, and has good pay.
For an introduction, the networking field encompasses a lot of topics like routing and switching in networks, virtualization, Internet of Things, 5G architecture, network security, and many more.
For a brief introduction to all these topics, I would personally recommend starting out the topics mentioned in the CCNA syllabus. CCNA exam offers a good peek into the wide world of networking by briefly touching all these topics mentioned. After you have a broad understanding of the topics, you should be able able to deep dive and select your niche.
Focus on building strong foundations and having knowledge of basic practical know-how of the applications and hardware which is used to build a network topology.
Besides having a CCNA certification will really help in your hiring prospects as a network engineer. That I would say will be a great starting point. You can learn more using this link https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics
For an introduction, the networking field encompasses a lot of topics like routing and switching in networks, virtualization, Internet of Things, 5G architecture, network security, and many more.
For a brief introduction to all these topics, I would personally recommend starting out the topics mentioned in the CCNA syllabus. CCNA exam offers a good peek into the wide world of networking by briefly touching all these topics mentioned. After you have a broad understanding of the topics, you should be able able to deep dive and select your niche.
Focus on building strong foundations and having knowledge of basic practical know-how of the applications and hardware which is used to build a network topology.
Besides having a CCNA certification will really help in your hiring prospects as a network engineer. That I would say will be a great starting point. You can learn more using this link https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ccna-exam-topics
Satish Mogasati
Software Profesional
2
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Satish’s Answer
Hi Tejendra,
I am not sure what student are you now (College, High School, Master etc.). If you want to start career in Networking, I would recommend learn the basics of networking, networking layers, networking principles while you are still in the college and get a firm understanding on those concepts.
Future is all about cloud computing and there will be minimum career opportunities in traditional data centers and everything will be on cloud. Understanding the virtual computing basics is essential before you do any certifications on networking.
I am not sure what student are you now (College, High School, Master etc.). If you want to start career in Networking, I would recommend learn the basics of networking, networking layers, networking principles while you are still in the college and get a firm understanding on those concepts.
Future is all about cloud computing and there will be minimum career opportunities in traditional data centers and everything will be on cloud. Understanding the virtual computing basics is essential before you do any certifications on networking.
Thanks Satish for remembering me about virtualization,and also thanks for saying concepts to prepare in networking,by the way I am a college student.
Kota
Sanoop R
consulting engineer
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sanoop’s Answer
To start a networking carrer, it would be worthwhile to invest most or all of your initial time to learn the fundamentals of computer-networking. Learning the fundamental is key to how can one progress with the evolution happening around it. This is true for any skill.From the computer-networking perspective, it would help to know the history of networking , how it came to be and what where the design principle to come up with some thing as TCP/IP etc. This will help to set the context.And can be built upon the strong base knowledge.Certifaction can really happen as a byproduct of this knowledge. There are a lot of resources avaialable out on the internet.
George Zastrow
Data Solution Engineer
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
George’s Answer
Spend some time network and meeting people in the field that you'd like to work in. There are alot of people out there and many will offer suggestions around 'next steps'