Network Engineer
Careers Explorer:
Design, implement and maintain the way data is transferred across digital and telecommunications networks.
Overview
As a Network Engineer, you’ll need to maintain high levels of operation of communication networks in order to provide maximum performance and availability for their users, such as staff, clients, customers and suppliers.
As a network extraordinaire, you’ll develop an understanding of network configuration, cloud, network administration and monitoring tools, and learn to give technical advice and guidance.
Among your other duties are to design simple networks from a well-defined specification and apply appropriate security products and processes; install and configure network components, including switches, routers and firewalls; optimise the performance of network systems and services; and monitor, test and adjust network systems and performance to meet accepted standards.
Top 5 Tasks
- Design the way data is sent or ‘routed’ across computer networks
- Set up user accounts, permissions and passwords to allow access to the network
- Make sure security is at the right level to block unauthorised access
- Find and fix network faults
- Train staff on new systems.
Salary
As a Network Engineer, you can expect to earn between £18,000 and £40,000 in the UK.
Am I Suited?
- Team player
- Good communicator
- Logical thinker
- Computer geek
- Technically competent
There are more men than women working in the IT industry, however various groups exist to support women in IT and technology and encourage them into the industry such as BCSWomen and Women in Technology
Qualifications
You can get into this job through either a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship or generally working towards this role.
You will often need A-Levels to take on either a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- network engineering
- computer science
- electronic engineering
- network security
- software engineering.
