Do You Need a Degree to be a Network Engineer?

A mobile device management policy creates several essential benefits for an organization, like security measures and data and … Meeting room hardware must evolve to support the hybrid employee experience. By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted via email, phone or text to learn more about the programs at Southern Methodist University. To help jump start your journey, we’ve put together this list of the five best certifications to get you off the help desk. According to CompTIA, 91 percent of employers consider IT certifications an essential part of the hiring process. The right cert can be just what you need to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

  • Experience not only adds to the value of your resume but also gives you great confidence to take the next step in the field.
  • The Linux Network Professional path stacks the Network+ and Linux+ certifications.
  • Computer occupations, in general, are expected to increase by 11% between 2019 and 2029, with network and computer systems administrators seeing 4% growth in that period.
  • Senior network engineers can earn even more at companies that treat this as a managerial role and at technology firms that pay tech workers exceptionally well.
  • Many network engineers then get an introductory cert like the CCNA .
  • These networks can include an organization’s phones, computers, routers, intranet, and extranet.

Therefore, this position is not usually an entry-level position. These professionals also often possess strong backgrounds in security and information technology. They also put a lot of effort into understanding the latest hardware and software trends. After getting the required education requirement and finishing certifications to improve your pro standing, it is time to start exploring positions related to this field.

Become versed in the full stack of networking technologies

That is a far easier way than choosing among the offer yourself, and it automatically guarantees a better position. Needless to say, businesses certify professionals for the actual in-demand positions. Ultimately, it’s impossible to predict with 100 percent certainty where computer networking is headed but increasingly, network engineers have to do just that to stay competitive.

The topics covered in this certification are – Wireshark Functionality, TCP/IP Network Communications, Network Troubleshooting and Network Security. You should also be well-rounded in other basic technical skills, like data research and data entry, since a lot of your job is centered on analyzing system performance. While your organization may have an IT security officer, you’ll still probably help desk engineer need to deploy and maintain network firewalls. You’ll be responsible for maintaining your network’s infrastructure and advising on what hardware it will reside on. Troubleshooting, resolving, and communicating networking issues to other employees and management. Security—performing data backups, updating virus protection software, and implementing new network data security systems.

Building a Rock-Solid Foundation of Networking:

You should be proficient in communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and organization. Below are the best network engineer certifications that can help you advance your career. If you keep learning, you might be eligible for higher positions in the field.

Engineers can also earn bonuses, and some employers offer profit-sharing programs as well. Network engineers typically work 40 hours a week, but they may be called upon for weekend work, evenings and other times outside of business hours to resolve technical problems. Engineers must be able to understand complex networks and pinpoint problems or suggest ways to improve them. They must also be able to work collaboratively, as well as instruct other engineers and support staff to operate the network.

Research Network Engineer Duties

That means senior network engineers can’t rely on outdated knowledge. They have to upskill and reskill regularly to leverage their organizations’ latest technology and industry strategies. Some ambitious network engineers specialize and develop their DevOps, programming, Infrastructure-as-Code, software-defined data center, network security or cloud networking skills.

You can easily increase your pay by learning new skills or getting more experience. ZipRecruiter also reports that the highest-paid network engineers are in the state of Washington and earn six figures on average. Network engineers are responsible for the design and implementation of proper systems. They need to meet certain standards to make sure networks function normally.

Getting hands-on experience is crucial

Earning this money by course just less than 12 months is a great choice. Also one needs to understand that the reputation and demand of the network engineers are on an increase these days. Along with the different education paths that both professions require, salary expectations are also a key difference between the two roles. The annual salary for a network administrator falls within the range of $65,000 to $100,000, while the network engineer’s annual salary is between $75,000 and $110,000. If you’re interested in becoming a network engineer, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We’ve determined that 62.1% of network engineers have a bachelor’s degree.

  • Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume.
  • The certification program includes WAN technologies, routing and switching fundamentals, and configuring networks.
  • The good news is that many Bachelor programs offer internships.
  • The Server+ certification shows that you have a solid grasp of both the software and hardware components of enterprise-level servers.
  • You’re in charge of your college education—but you’re never alone.