Network Engineering is gaining momentum by the minute. Learn everything you need to know about it along with how to become a network engineer.
In this article, we will cover:
- Why build a career in Network Engineering?
- Pros & cons of Network Engineering
- Qualifications of a Network Engineer?
- Courses & certification
- Network Engineering & CCNA jobs in India
- Network Engineering job roles
- Network Engineering salaries
- Network Engineering skills
- Network Engineering tools
- Network Engineering common career path
- Tips to get a job in Network Engineering
- Popular Network Engineering blogs
- Popular must read Network Engineering books
- Popular youtube videos & channels
- Network Engineering forums
- Network Engineering webinars
- Top Network Engineering companies to follow
Why build a career in Network Engineering?
Why be a network engineer? has this thought ever lingered on in your head?
Here are the reasons why network engineering should be considered as a strong career choice.
Scope:
As per published report, India has approx. global market share of 55%, holding a market share worth US$ 185-190 billion of the total global service sourcing business for the year 2017-18.
IT sector in India is on a constant rising graph setting up more than 1000 delivery centers spread across 80 countries.
In 2018-19, Indian IT sector exports swelled to US$ 137 billion in the financial year of 2019.
Its noteworthy that the domestic revenues reached US$ 44 billion.
Also looking at this tremendous growth, India expected a growth rate of more than 9% in 2018.
Demand
Demand for network engineers in India is growing exponentially & with more investments coming in the IT sector, it’s very well expected to see a positive surge in the demand for network professionals.
Since the technology is changing every day, applicants & corporates need to keep on updating themselves with the latest trends.
Similarly, aspirants with CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) training are given more consideration by large IT firms than other aspirants.
CCNA guarantees that the aspirant has expertise in network security, network media, routing & switching fundamentals and much more.
Pros & cons of Network Engineering
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Lucrative salary package | Stressful work |
Roam for innovation | Lot of accountability |
Diverse fields of networking | An incident response could be required at any hour |
Constant learning | A lot of multi-tasking involved |
Qualifications of a Network Engineer?
12th
The individual should have passed Physics, Chemistry & Maths to apply for admissions in engineering courses in any college.
State & National Level entrance exams such as IIT, JEE, NEET & so on.
Bachelors degree
To become a network engineer, you need to complete your bachelors in engineering in Information technology or computer science.
This shall pave the foundation & provide detailed insights about network & information technology in general.
CCNA
CCNA or cisco certified network associate program is considered one of the best in terms of networking.
This can also be done to brighten your chances of getting in your dream IT firm.
Courses & certification
-
Website: Udemy
Course: CompTIA A+ Certification
Price: Rs 7360/-
Format: Online -
Website: Plural Sight
Course: Juniper Networks Certified Associate
Price: $200
Format: Online -
Website: Plural Sight
Course: AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Price: $150
Format: Online -
Website: Comptia
Course: CompTIA Network+
Price: $319
Format: Online -
Website: Cisco
Course: CCIE Routing and Switching
Price: $17400
Format: Online
Network Engineering & CCNA jobs in India
Jobs | Naukri | Indeed | Monster | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Network Engineering | 5,964 | 7,177 | 700 | 3,624 | 17,465 |
Network administrator | 7,945 | 1,265 | 924 | 2,420 | 12,554 |
Information Security Analyst | 345 | 1,614 | 11 | 472 | 2,442 |
CCNA | 1911 | 1070 | 950 | 1108 | 5039 |
Network Engineering job roles
Role | Major responsibilities |
---|---|
Network Engineering | Data security, planning & implementation of network security measures, replacing faulty networks. |
Network Administrator | Maintaining computer networks, installation & configuration of computer networks, troubleshooting network issues. |
Information Security Analyst | Monitoring networks, Check for security breaches, develop security infrastructure. |
Network Engineering salaries
Salary packages can vary depending upon the organization, skillset & experience of the Candidate.
Job role | Average annual salary (0-3 years of experience) | Salary Range (LPA) |
---|---|---|
Network Engineer | 400k | 216k-675k |
Network Administrator | 433k | 249k-765k |
Information Security Analyst | 538k | 310k-941k |
Network Engineering skills
Have a look at the typical skills required to have a successful career in Network Engineering.
Core Skills
| Skill | Details|
| ------------- |---------------|---
| Technical Knowledge | Detailed knowledge of network protocols, well versed with services like TCP/IP, DNS & DHCP.
| Managing Computer Networks |Troubleshooting, structuring & implementing computer networks is a must.
|Analytical Mind | Network engineers should have the ability to solve complex network issues in minimum time with whatever resources available.
| Attention To Detail | Thoroughly checking even the minute details while making a plan of action to execute precise activities.
| Management skills | Ability to manage team, time & resources most efficiently
Soft Skills
A network engineer should be motivated to work for long hours on complicated network structures. He/she should be able to see a larger picture, leadership quality is a must to ensure an effective workforce, good communication skills & analytical mind bend.
Network Engineering tools
Some of the common tools used in Network engineering have been mentioned below
Job role | Tools |
---|---|
HR Manager | SpeedTest.net,ping,IPconfig, Nslookup |
Network Administrator | Traceroute,Supervision Suite,NMap |
Network Administrator | Acunetix,Webtitan,Webroot, Flowmon |
Network Engineering common career path
Here are some common paths that can make your way to start a career in network engineering.
Career Path 1:
Complete your 10th class-----Start studying Science along with maths in 12th class---- Complete your 12th class---- Apply for entrance exams-----Get admission in BE/BTECH(IT or Software)----Complete you BE----Get online network engineering certification courses----Apply for a job & become a network engineer.
Career Path 2:
Complete your 10th class----- Get online network engineering certification courses -----Apply for network engineering jobs & become a network engineer.
Tips to get a job in Network Engineering
Do your research
Research about the field, company & pros & cons of the networking field. Be sure about the career path you chose for your career ahead.
Technical Knowledge
Get all the expertise you can about various tools that need to be used frequently in the field of networking. Keep on updating yourself constantly about the latest technology & recent technological knowledge.
Get certification courses
Opt for online certification courses, this shall give you an edge over other candidates.
CCNA Training
CCNA training is one of the most popular certification courses, highly recognized & highly useful in paving a future career path.
Popular Network Engineering blogs
Here is a list of popular network engineering blogs
- Cisco Blog
- Network World
- Network Computing
- Ip Space.net
- Netcraftsmen
- Small Net Builder
- Stack Exchange
Popular must read Network Engineering books
Here is a list of popular Network Engineering books
- Performance Tools and Applications to Networked Systems: Revised Tutorial Lectures
- Decoding the City: How Big Data Can Change Urbanism
- The Matrix: Computer Networks And Conferencing Systems Worldwide
- Peer To Peer Computing: Principles And Applications
- Network+ Guide to Networks (Lab Manual)
- Pervasive Computing And Networking
- Network Warrior
Popular youtube videos & channels
Here is a list of popular Network Engineering Channels you must follow
Network Engineering forums
Some of the popular network engineering forums are as follows
Network Engineering webinars
Here is the list of most popular Network Engineering Webinars
Top Network Engineering companies to follow
Networking career is evolving with every passing day. Network engineering promises to be a career that not only guarantees jobs in India but is recognized globally. It’s important to shape your career towards a right career choice that opens up doors for growth globally. So gear up & deep dive in networking career, indeed you shall not be disappointed
Best of luck!