Network Engineer: Job Description, Education & Employment

If you are looking to enter the field of information technology and have a passion for working on computer networking systems, you can consider becoming a network engineer. Also referred to as network administrators, these engineers are responsible for the designing, installation and maintenance of computer communication systems. For becoming a network engineer, it is essential to know where to start, how to get educational qualification and trained, job description and what employment opportunities await you in this field of information technology.

Job Description
It is a computer communication network through which employees can easily communicate within an organization. The network engineer is responsible for ensuring that the network system in an organization works efficiently. The challenge for these professionals is to fulfill the communication system requirements according to the client specifications. Security is another issue that engineers need to consider while meeting the individual requirements of clients and organizations.

Network systems can be divided into different categories. A network engineers will perform their work with four networking systems including LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) and GAN (Global Area Network). All these networks have been categorized depending on the expanse of geographical location.

 Working as a network engineer, you will perform job duties including installation of new software and hardware, creating user accounts with log in information, checking and fixing faults within the network, providing technical support to end users, looking after administrative tasks and monitoring how the network is being accessed and used. To offer more user friendly solutions, engineers always work towards planning and carrying out future developments.

Educational Qualification & Experience
A bachelor's degree in computer engineering, network engineering or a relevant field is the minimum requirement to kick-start a career as a network engineer. An advanced degree can enhance your chances of occupying jobs. Today, there are several colleges and universities that offer degrees in network engineering. Students can also go for specific MBA programs that train candidates in network management. Professionals who have experience and are qualified in information technology areas like maintenance and installation can enter the field of network engineering.

Job Skills
Considering the competition in the job market and to remain competitive, candidates also need to possess some essential job skills including excellent problem solving skills, organizational skills, capability to explain technical issues, team working skills, people skills and a continuing urge for keeping themselves abreast of the latest developments in this field.

Employment Opportunities
There are abundant employment opportunities for trained network engineers. Jobs can be landed with both private and public sector companies. Large IT companies have a great demand for network engineers. Giant IT players like Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation and Apple Computers have a continuing demand for experienced network engineers. Good job opportunities for engineers are available even in sectors including finance, retail, local and national government. With growing experience and skill sets, engineers can also move up to senior level network management systems.

Annual Salary
The salary of a network engineer varies depending on the education, experience and the nature and type of the employer. Those who carry an experience of less than 1 year earn an annual salary ranging between $40,000 and $50,000. Engineers who possess an experience of 1-4 years earn an annual salary ranging between $45,000 and $60,000. The salary of network engineers can go as high as $90,000 annually or beyond. Telecommunication network engineer earn the highest salary.