Our dependence on computer networks has increased rapidly in recent years. Whether entertainment, work, or medicine, almost everything we do now.
The engineers make our world a more exciting place, causing computer networking jobs to increase over the past five years.
Is computer networking difficult to learn? How to advance a career in this field? Let’s find the answers to these questions through the article below!
Is Computer Networking Hard?
Yes, computer networking may not be easy or even difficult for some people.
But this difficulty has not prevented it from becoming one of the top favored professions by information technology enthusiasts.
Also, it is one of the professions with the best job opportunities, even if it seems the most complicated. Networking is, in essence, quite simple as it does not involve many complex concepts.
Yet, technology is constantly changing rapidly, leading many IT professionals to find industry challenges. Therefore, you must have a solid basis to adapt to changes quickly.
What Makes Networking Hard?
It is challenging to determine what is difficult for you in this field as it varies from person to person.
For example, some IT technicians have difficulty troubleshooting, while others have a headache understanding software and hardware components.
Remember that the network is ubiquitous because every household or company will use some technology for some purpose. So the need for network technology will always exist, more or less.
Moreover, technology will continue to change. Therefore, learning how to keep up with the changes is essential, especially for areas like BYOD, mobility, loT, the cloud, and more.
Advances in technology take place at a rapid speed. Sometimes for months, and sometimes even just days. These advances make our lives better, but they also create volatility and complexity for engineers.
Besides, if you want to build your career in this field, it’s essential to find a way to deal with all the factors that affect it.
Why Should You Build a Career in This Field?
Why should you become an engineer in this field? Here are the most common reasons:
1. Demand for Candidates Is Always High
As technology advances, the demand for professionals in networking also increases rapidly.
For example, the number of computer networking professionals is predicted to grow by 26% in Australia. As a result, in 2025, there will be 11,100 more people working in this field than in 2019 in this country.
2. Salary Higher Than Average
As a rule, jobs in this field require high skills and are often among the top-paying groups in many countries. For instance, an experienced engineer in the United States today would earn an average of $108,215, while an administrator can earn up to $156,411 yearly.
So, if you start training in networking today, you can expect to receive a very high salary in the future.
3. A Bright Future
Technology is developing day by day, leading to an increasing need for computer networks. If you build your career in this field, you are sure to have a promising future ahead.
On the other hand, you will likely be involved in some cutting-edge technological developments. You will also be making a positive impact on people’s lives worldwide.
Here are a few networking trends that you can join if you start in the field now:
- Evolve networks and identify their security issues as they happen.
- Working with AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning to build self-directed networks.
- Discover new methods to process data through edge computing
- And more
4. Putting Existing Skills to Good Use
There is no denying that success in a computer networking role will require several critical competencies based on Information & Communication Technologies (ICT).
Besides, the ICT industry also needs several other skills from its experts, and you most likely already have these skills. Thanks to that, you can always play to your strengths.
What Do Computer Networking Professionals Do?
As an expert in the field, you will likely have to manage and maintain hardware and software daily. In addition, you also need to monitor the system for potential disturbances and analyze problems or build plans for possible solutions.
You also need to monitor network security, which is a growing problem. The fact is that experts are constantly working to find new ways to stop information thieves.
Problem-solving is one of the essential skills for computer network professionals. Besides, the quick-thinking process and creativity are also the factors that help you succeed in this field.
This job also requires good stress tolerance. So, for example, you might work nights or weekends to find a solution.
In addition, many upgrades and routine maintenance checks require you to do them outside of business hours.
Tips To Advance Your Career In This Field
Here are some tips to help you advance your career in the computer network field:
1. Get Diploma or Certificate
It is true to say that obtaining a certificate or diploma will be the first step towards starting your career in this field in an advantageous way.
So, we recommend investing in education to practice and gain real-world experience. Taking advantage of short-term programs is ideal for anyone looking to make a difference in this field.
2. Get Industry Certifications
Recently, employers tend to look for candidates with industry certifications in their resumes. It includes essential certifications like CCNA, CompTIA A+, MCSA, or advanced certifications like Cisco Security or AWS.
3. Develop Communication Skills
As a networking professional, you may often deal with partners, employees, and business owners. Thus, it is essential to develop communication skills as it will be possible to cater to non-tech savvy audiences.
4. Gain Experience
For this field, experience is king. Therefore, we recommend that you do freelance projects while you are studying. Project-based learning is one of the perfect solutions to gain experience.
5. Understand Your Business
It is essential to have an overall understanding of your company and business. Specifically, you need to find ways to deliver the best solutions and anticipate any threats to your business or company.
Conclusion
Computer networking is hard, but it is worth the investment of time and effort.
Hopefully, after reading this article, you have all the necessary knowledge to begin in this field.