Interested in becoming a network engineer but not sure if they are in demand? The good news is that the role of a network engineer intersects with most modern industries in one way or another. After all, almost every modern company uses internally networked computers and the internet. And the profession as a whole is broad enough to allow you to work with many different technologies. However, you may be wondering what educational requirements are needed to be a network engineer. Specifically, do you need a degree to be a network engineer?
An Easy Path for a Career as a Network Engineer
Having a network engineer degree or formal education isn’t an absolute requirement. However, it does provide you with a huge advantage when competing for the same position at an organization.
One of the biggest advantages of a formal degree program is the scope of your education. Formal degree programs ensure that you’re exposed to all the knowledge related to the role of a network engineer. This approach helps fill any knowledge gaps that may arise from self-study. A formal degree program helps you become familiar with advanced networking equipment through first-hand experience. Plus, you get to work with industry standard hardware and software.
The social aspect of a degree program is also a huge boon. An obvious benefit is that the programs are taught by instructors with industry experience. Real-world experience is an invaluable resource, and it’s a resource that extends to the entire social environment. Even fellow classmates bring a unique experience to the table. The chance to network with classmates and instructors can provide professional contacts that will become useful when it’s time to enter into the industry.
What Skills Do You Learn in a Network Engineer Program?
You might wonder why the scope of a formal degree program is so important. The main reason is because a career as a network engineer encompasses many different technologies. One network engineer might spend most of their professional life working with Linux-based cloud servers. Another network engineer might spend most of their time working in a server room surrounded by physical Windows servers and routers.
Linux and Microsoft-based systems are the most common infrastructure protocols that network engineers work with. And Microsoft has larger scale requirements for administrative, design, and leadership roles. However, working as a network engineer covers many different platforms which range from tablets to the cloud. As a network engineer, you should know how to design advanced enterprise-level networks which incorporate a company’s IT infrastructure. You also need to ensure that these networks can properly support smaller-scale items like laptops or smartphones.
Network engineer classes also cover employee training and writing documentation. Creating an efficient network is only the start. It’s equally important for you to create an internal educational foundation that can keep a network running smoothly. You need to have a firm grasp on the larger enterprise-level network topology and offer insight based on that understanding.
The profession necessitates many different skills. And this too touches on the importance of the social element found in a formal degree program. An instructor’s real-world experience acts as the glue which ties all these concepts together into a singular whole.
What Do You Learn During a Network Engineer Program?
The Network Engineer program at CyberTex prepares you for CompTIA, Microsoft and AWS certifications that prove your proficiency to employers in many network engineer topics. These are the certifications that the Network Engineer program focuses on:
CompTIA A+ (220-1001 & 220-1002)
A+ is a foundational certification that touches on the basics of most areas related to networking. This includes hardware like storage and RAM as well as operating system installation and administration. Networking and security considerations for all relevant platforms are covered by the A+ exam. The A+ certification is often paired with more specialized certifications to prove both general and specialized skill sets.
CompTIA Network+ (N10-007)
Network+ certification puts a heavy emphasis on more advanced aspects of networking. It’s important to note that Network+ is largely platform agnostic. Other certifications like Linux+ cover specific platforms within enterprise-level networks. However, the Network+ certification is focused on network design, physical connections, and the process of actually deploying a network after it’s been designed.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501)
Security+ covers advanced aspects of IT security as applied to many different systems. Network+ certification might touch on IT security in specific domains, but the Security+ certification provides an in-depth examination of the subject with broad application to all commonly used systems within the professional sector.
MTA: Windows Operating System Fundamentals (MTA 98-349)
The Windows Operating System Fundamentals certification provides a look at the essential aspects of Microsoft’s non-server operating systems. This includes all the skills needed to offer general support within a professional environment. It’s especially useful for network engineers that act as a liaison to less technically oriented departments within a company.
MTA: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals (MTA 98-365)
The Windows Server Administration Fundamentals certification has some overlap with the GUI-oriented aspects of the Windows Operating System Fundamentals certification. However, as the name suggests, this certification focuses on server-specific aspects of Microsoft’s operating systems. This includes Active Directory, server maintenance, and all aspects of installation and backup.
CompTIA Server+ (SK0-004)
The Server+ certification covers most aspects of server installation, maintenance, security, and troubleshooting. This is usually presented in a platform-agnostic manner that gives you the ability to move between different server configurations as needed. The Server+ certification shows that you have a solid grasp of both the software and hardware components of enterprise-level servers.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01)
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification explores how to use, configure, and optimize the AWS cloud environment. This covers most of the fundamental IT concepts which serve as a foundation for cloud computing. However, it examines the specific usage scenarios unique to both cloud-based platforms and AWS in general. In addition to technical areas, the certification also covers pricing models and methods to properly scale AWS for growing businesses.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Azure Fundamentals also covers many of the fundamentals of cloud computing. However, in this case, the certification focuses on Microsoft’s Azure platform. The certification proves that you have a solid grasp of cloud computing essentials such as infrastructure as a service and the different cloud models. It also highlights a strong grasp of how Azure builds on those fundamental qualities to offer unique benefits.
CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-004)
Linux+ certification covers the installation, use, and protection of Linux-based systems. This certification is especially important for network engineers because of the overlap of Linux with other networking services. Linux is found in everything from cloud computing to routers, and of course servers. The Linux+ certification verifies your ability to work with the operating system in all relevant environments.
CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (A+ / Network+)
The IT Operations Specialist is one of CompTIA’s “stackable certifications”. Stacking refers to the successful completion of multiple related CompTIA certifications whose skills complement each other. The IT Operations Specialist pathway demonstrates mastery of skills in both A+ and Network+. It also shows that you’re able to integrate a deeper understanding of networking into all of the hardware and software-related concepts presented in the A+ certification.
CompTIA Systems Support Specialist (A+ / Linux+)
CompTIA’s Systems Support Specialist is another stackable certification path that combines A+ and Linux+. The end result is a certification path that demonstrates proficiency with general hardware, software, and networking concepts as they relate to Linux servers. This is a useful certification path for network engineers that want to work with Linux-based systems in as many environments as possible.
CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional (Network+ / Server+)
The Network Infrastructure Professional stackable path combines the Network+ and Server+ certifications. This is a useful certification path for network engineers that want to put a strong emphasis on internal intranets as well as the larger internet. It’s primarily concerned with the creation and maintenance of efficient networks which link directly to either Windows or Linux-based servers.
CompTIA Linux Network Professional (Network+ / Linux+)
The Linux Network Professional path stacks the Network+ and Linux+ certifications. It shows that you have exceptional proficiency with networking techniques related to Linux systems. This also applies to Linux-based servers. However, the networking background is equally applicable to anything that connects Linux systems together. This can include servers, while also showing proficiency with desktop-based Linux systems.
CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (A+ / Network+ / Security+)
The Secure Infrastructure Specialist stackable path requires not just one, but three, CompTIA certifications. Passing the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications highlights particular aptitude for the most important technical aspects of a role as a network engineer. It covers not just advanced networking concepts, but also the more advanced elements of digital security. And this advanced understanding applies to both the software and hardware sides of being a network engineer.
Final Thoughts
So, are you still asking yourself, do I need a degree to be a network engineer? If you can review the 10+ certification topics presented in CyberTex’s Network Engineer program with self-study alone, you may find many knowledge gaps resulting in a difficult path to certification. Take the easier path to becoming a network engineer with CyberTex, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Want to Learn More?
Ready to learn more about becoming a network engineer? The Network Engineer Program at CyberTex prepares you for advanced computer networking & security jobs. The course prepares you in the most advanced networking certifications and software available including Windows 10, Windows 2012R2 Server and multiple CompTIA offerings. You will learn the skills and abilities necessary to setup, install, configure, repair, and manage modern computer networks and their security. Contact us today to learn more.