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:

  1. Why build a career in Network Engineering?
  2. Pros & cons of Network Engineering
  3. Qualifications of a Network Engineer?
  4. Courses & certification
  5. Network Engineering & CCNA jobs in India
  6. Network Engineering job roles
  7. Network Engineering salaries
  8. Network Engineering skills
  9. Network Engineering tools
  10. Network Engineering common career path
  11. Tips to get a job in Network Engineering
  12. Popular Network Engineering blogs
  13. Popular must read Network Engineering books
  14. Popular youtube videos & channels
  15. Network Engineering forums
  16. Network Engineering webinars
  17. 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 LinkedIn 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

  1. Cisco Blog
  2. Network World
  3. Network Computing
  4. Ip Space.net
  5. Netcraftsmen
  6. Small Net Builder
  7. Stack Exchange

Popular must read Network Engineering books

Here is a list of popular Network Engineering books

  1. Performance Tools and Applications to Networked Systems: Revised Tutorial Lectures
  2. Decoding the City: How Big Data Can Change Urbanism
  3. The Matrix: Computer Networks And Conferencing Systems Worldwide
  4. Peer To Peer Computing: Principles And Applications
  5. Network+ Guide to Networks (Lab Manual)
  6. Pervasive Computing And Networking
  7. Network Warrior

Popular youtube videos & channels

Here is a list of popular Network Engineering Channels you must follow

  1. Network Engineer Academy
  2. NetworKing
  3. TechTerms
  4. DNS Made Easy Videos
  5. DNS Unboxing

Network Engineering forums

Some of the popular network engineering forums are as follows

  1. Spice Works
  2. Server Fault
  3. Practical 365
  4. Technet
  5. Juniper

Network Engineering webinars

Here is the list of most popular Network Engineering Webinars

  1. Network Computing
  2. Cisco
  3. Netacad
  4. Keysight

Top Network Engineering companies to follow

  1. Cisco
  2. IBM India
  3. Tata Consultancy Services
  4. Larsen and Toubro
  5. Infosys Technologies
  6. Wipro

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!

Career Advice Engineer's Week