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Computer Networking (Network architects) Career Guide

To be a successful in computer networking, you must be able to efficiently think through problems and quickly provide solutions for them. You need to show an ability to design and plan things and you need to have excellent written and verbal communication. If this sounds like you, and you love computers and working in a challenging environment, then we think you might enjoy a career in computer networking!

A computer networker, or sometimes called a ‘computer network architect’ or ‘network engineers’. Computer networkers designs, plans, implements and monitor a computer network. Once these computer networks are in place, networkers are responsible for maintaining and controlling them. To become a computer networker, a bachelor’s degree is typically required.

Computer networkers usually need a bachelor’s degree, typically in computer science,  engineering, or another related field. Some employers may prefer that applicants have a master’s degree.

 

Computer Networking (Network architects) Career Ratings

(What these ratings mean)

Income

Career
Growth

Personal Growth

Contribution

Influence

Overview

What a computer networker does

A computer networker (or sometimes called a ‘computer network architect’ or ‘network engineers’) designs, plans, implements and monitors a computer network. Once these computer networks are in place, they are responsible for maintaining and controlling them.

Computer networkers can work in any industry where there is a need for data communication networks. In general, they will find these environments incredibly fast-paced and challenging. Although the typical duties and responsibilities of a computer networker vary depending on their employer, the industry they work in and their level of experience, they can expect to do tasks such as:

  • Creating plans and layouts for data communication networks
  • Presenting plans to management and explaining why they are in the organizations best interest to pursue them
  • Maintaining and controlling computer networks
  • Upgrading hardware, such as routers or adaptors, and software, such as network drivers
  • Troubleshooting, diagnosing and resolving software, hardware and other network problems
  • Performing disaster recovery operations
  • Carrying out the configuration of routing and switching equipment

Why they are needed

Computer networks are incredibly important. They let you store important data, access the data and modify it according to your needs. Computer networkers are responsible for the designing and building of these crucial data communication networks. They have an extensive knowledge of an organizations business plan, and design networks that help organizations achieve their goals. Frankly, without computer network architects, businesses would not have the secure data communication systems that they need to thrive.

Pros and cons of a career as a computer networker:

Pros:

  • There are jobs in a wide range of different sectors
  • Computer networkers are in demand, meaning there is less competition for jobs
  • Many computer networkers love their job because they feel challenged every day, and feel great satisfaction and value when they overcome these challenges.
  • There is also lots of opportunities for skill development, growth and opportunities to specialize in a particular area

Cons:

  • It can be a fast-paced environment with high amounts of pressure
  • Computer networkers may have to work long hours, overtime or be on call
  • You will never be an expert. Technology is constantly changing, and it can be a struggle to keep up
  • It is a sedentary job, which needs to be considered as part of a healthy lifestyle
  • There are some tasks which are boring and mundane

Employability

Job market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of computer networkers is expected to grow 5% from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This demand for computer network architects is expected to increase because firms and the healthcare industry will continue to expand their information technology (IT) networks. Designing and building these networks, as well as upgrading existing ones, will create many opportunities for computer network architects.

Furthermore, the new adoption of cloud computing, which allows users to access storage, software and other computer service over the internet, will create an even greater demand for computer networkers. Firms, large or small, will contract out computer networkers to help them with their cloud computing, this will further increase the demand.

Career paths

As computer science is rarely taught at school (e.g., pupils won’t learn coding languages) most computer networks will usually need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering or another related field. By completing a degree programme in a computer-related field, aspiring computer networkers can gather hands-on experience in classes such as network security, database design on the other technologies that networkers need to understand and use.

After graduating, computer networkers may go on to achieve a masters of business administration (MBA) in information systems. MBA programs require two years of study.

Example Job Titles for Computer Networking (Network architects)

Below is a list of common job titles in the Computer Networking (Network architects) field. Click the links below for more information about these job titles, or view the next section for actual real-life job profiles.

Benefits & Conditions

Income and benefits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer network architects was $116,780 in 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $67,190, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $175,570. The top industries were: insurance carriers and related activities (where the median annual salary was $121,730), computer systems design and related services ($120,130), management of companies and enterprises ($116,130), telecommunications ($114,810) and finally educational services ($84,570).

Autonomy and Flexibility

At the beginning, working in computer networking may not feel like it provides too much flexibility or autonomy. This is because it is typical to start off in entry-level positions and report to more senior colleagues. In these entry-level and graduate positions, the hours can be especially long if a deadline is close.

However, as you progress into more senior positions, you quickly receive more autonomy, responsibility and flexibility. Often, computer networks are senior members of the IT department and, as a result, get to make lots of decision and have control over their working day.

Locations and commute

According to Zippia, the best states to be a network engineer (which is a computer networker), based on average annual wage and availability of jobs are:

  1. Maryland, where the average annual salary was $85,901
  2. California, where the average annual salary was $89,073
  3. Washington, where the average annual salary was $81,352
  4. Oregon, where the average annual salary was $80,441
  5. Arizona, where the average annual salary was $75,055

The worst states, according to Zippia, were Montana, Louisiana, Idaho, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Work environment

The largest employers of computer networks in the United States was the computer systems design and related services industry, which employed 27% of all computer networkers in the United States in 2019. After this, the telecommunications industry employs 10%, management of companies and enterprises employs 8%, insurance carriers and related activities employ 5% and, finally, the educational services employ 4%.

In general, computer networkers will spend most of their time in offices. However, they may occasionally work in server rooms where they have access to the hardware that make up an organizations computer and information network.

Career Satisfaction

Common Matching Personality Types

Which personalities tend to succeed and thrive in Computer Networking (Network architects) careers? Based on our research, there is a relatively strong positive correlation between the following personality types and Computer Networking (Network architects) career satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t many exceptions, of course, but if you fit into one of the following personality types then we suggest you give strong consideration to a career in Computer Networking (Network architects).

16 Types (Myers-Briggs)

Big Five (OCEAN)

  • None

DISC

  • None

Enneagram

Holland Codes (RIASEC)

Personality types

Like many other technology-focused roles (e.g., computer programmers or systems analysts), it is likely that a successful computer networker will present the INTP personality type. The INTP, or “The Thinker” tends to be logical and rational. They like to work independently to solve problems independently, but they also enjoy confiding in other. They also like to come up with out of the box solutions for many problems and spend time looking at things from different angles. All of these skills are essential for computer networkers, who need to solve the problems when designing and building data networks, and who need to be able to communicate with organizations.

Accomplishment and mastery

Designing, building, managing and monitoring computer network systems is not an easy. Therefore, when a computer networker has the skills and knowledge to consistently design, build and manage effective and high-quality computer networks that can help an organization be effective and highly functioning, they will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and mastery.

Similarly, as computer networking technology is constantly changing and developing at a rapid speed, it is essential that computer networkers must keep advancing their education and understanding. This constant need for the development of new skills will further increase a computer networkers sense of accomplishment and mastery.

Meaning and contribution

Computer networkers play an absolutely essential part in the modern world. They help businesses with the computer network systems they need to store important data, access the data and modify it according to their needs. They have an extensive knowledge of an organizations business plan, and design networks that help organizations achieve their goals. Frankly, without computer networkers, businesses would not have the secure data communication systems that they need to thrive and, therefore, their work has high meaning and contribution.

Life fit

Most computer networkers will work full time, which can provide a good life fit. However, others may work more than 4o hours per week in order to manage emergencies and meet deadlines. This can provide a slightly more difficult life fit.

Who will thrive in this career?

To be a successful and thriving in computer networking, you need to be able to:

  • Efficiently think through problems and quickly provide solutions for them
  • An ability to design and plan things
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Understand and work with computers
  • The desire to constantly learn and develop their skills
  • Those who work well under pressure
  • Those who are comfortable teaching them
  • Individuals with exceptional attention to detail

Who will struggle in this career?

  • People who aren’t confident interacting with and teaching others
  • People who aren’t willing to continuously learn or develop their skills
  • Those who don’t have the patience to focus on even the smallest of details
  • Those who are looking for a more active and physically demanding job
  • Those who can’t work well under pressure or come up with solutions to problems quickly

Requirements

Quick Glance

Skills

Skills and talents

The typical skills and talents required for a computer networker include:

  • Troubleshooting, as computer networkers need to be able to accurately check for problems with computer network systems
  • Analytical skills, as computer networkers must examine data networks and decide how to best connect the networks based on the needs and resources of an organization
  • Communication and interpersonal skills, as computer networkers need to be able to work closely with organizations and their managers
  • Leadership skills, as computer networkers may have to direct a team of technology professionals who build the networks they have designed
  • Concentration, as computer networkers must be able to ignore distractions and fixate on computer networks for long periods of time
  • Detail orientation, as computer networkers need to figure out how different networks will work together

Education

Generally, computer networkers will need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering or another related field. Computer networkers, or network engineers or architects, must be able to work with a variety of network types, such as LAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN, VoiP, and many more. They will need to take courses in these networks. Fortunately, the recent development of online education has meant that many can enter the profession with IT experience and some online course training in the network types just mentioned.

Certifications

There are no specific certifications or licenses that computer networkers in the United States need to work, although some companies may require them to be certified in the products they use. Getting certified demonstrates skill, knowledge and competence.

How to Become

Summary

A computer networker (or sometimes called a ‘computer network architect’ or ‘network engineers’) designs, plans, implements and monitors a computer network. Once these computer networks are in place, networkers are responsible for maintaining and controlling them. Computer networkers can work in any industry where there is a need for data communication networks. In general, these environments are incredibly fast-paced and challenging.

Computer networks are incredibly important. They let organizations store important data, access the data and modify it according to your needs. Computer networkers are responsible for the designing and building of these crucial data communication networks. They have an extensive knowledge of an organizations business plan, and design networks that help organizations achieve their goals.

Immediate action

To kick start a career in computer networks, it is worth trying to get an internship in a relevant role, this will give you the skills and knowledge you need. You may also want to take different online courses that will teach you about different computer networks.

Education and learning

Computer networkers usually need a bachelor’s degree, typically in computer science,  engineering, or another related field. Some employers may prefer that applicants have a master’s degree.

Skill development

Whilst working as a computer networker, there is a lot of opportunity for skill development and career progression. Technology is always changing and many professionals continue to take courses that will advance their knowledge and keep them up to date.

FAQs

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