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Because it’s best to learn on real hardware, many successful transitioners built a home learning lab by purchasing used networking equipment on eBay or similar sites. They also simulated real-world scenarios by downloading simulators and emulators such as Cisco Pack Tracer, GNS3 and Boson’s NetSim. Finally, they gained insights into networking and infrastructure engineering best practices from working professionals by reading the content on Packet Pushers and joining its Slack group. For instance, Andrew Roderos completed the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum at a community college and passed the CCNA exam in about 18 months while working full-time in IT support for Walgreens.
And if you secure an engineering role in this burgeoning field, you’ll be responsible for managing the foundation of your organization’s IT networking system. Topping LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report even a number of years back, it’s had 650% job growth in less than a decade and expects to add 11.5 million new jobs within the next few years. Networking and engineering skills are in constant demand by employers looking to boost their systems. Job shadowing and working under a mentor is yet another excellent way to learn valuable skills and protocols from network engineers with more experience. This certification can prove that you are a problem solver in today’s core technologies.
Key Skills to Learn
You may already have some qualifications to become a help desk technician today. For example, if you’ve worked in customer service before then you have a solid foundation, but you may need to build your technical skill set. Network Engineers are experts who can apply a range of technologies to connect, secure, and automate complex networks, and it’s a critical role in companies from every industry. ExitCertified will hold the Cloud + Skills Summit May 2–4 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. This three-day virtual event is designed for IT and Learning & Development professionals to discover the latest cloud technology trends and understand the importance of continuous learning. The salaries for a certified network engineer can range from $46,500 to more than $115,000 annually, depending on skill level and experience.
Add to that the ability to earn a fantastic salary while working with technology (something you undoubtedly love), and you’ll enter a profession that can provide a lifetime of stable, rewarding employment. Osman says working in a help desk role provides opportunities to network with more advanced technicians and engineers, as well as gain a better understanding of how other teams operate and resolve issues. This additional perspective can help desk engineer be incredibly helpful for narrowing down what would be a wide-open IT career path. Help desk technicians are specialized types of customer service representatives who use their knowledge of hardware and software to help troubleshoot problems that arise. Beyond that technical proficiency, they must also have excellent interpersonal skills to interact with customers. “Typically, any Information Technology degree will help,” Witmer adds.
Freelance Network Engineer Jobs
The most popular certifications for network engineering focus on cybersecurity, project management and cloud computing, with project management typically being the most sought after. If you’re looking for entry-level employment as a network engineer, you may only require certification to get hired. Many engineers pivot into network engineering from other disciplines such as electrical engineering or mathematics, so the certification path is also ideal for those changing their career. Network engineers design, administer, and optimize computer networks for businesses.
On top of the certifications mentioned above, there are also various choices offered by software vendors, notably Microsoft and Red Hat. Finally, if you prefer project-based work, turning global is only natural. All businesses need network engineers; it’s up to you to pick best offers in line with your preferences.
Do Software Engineers Think Job Demand Will Stay High?
Due to the nature of the job, control systems staff engineers are usually required to have previously accumulated 10+ years of experience in network engineering and to hold a relevant degree. Some companies require that their network engineers and architects are certified in the products the company uses. Check job descriptions for the types of positions you’d like to apply for to get an idea of what’s required. Vendor-neutral certifications can validate your skills to potential employers.
