How to get experience in Networking?

CaptainL

Hi All,

I would just like to make a consolidated advice from all of you on how to get experience in networking field if you don't have any job? I know you can do freelancing but is there another way?

Right now my job role is as a software tester and looking forward to transition into networking in 2 months and my target job role is to be a NOC engineer or a Junior Network Administrator/Engineer.

Thanks!

kohr-ah

Two best ways really are to get a NOC job or a help desk job (if brand new in the field) at a place where you can transition roles.

Otherwise LAB LAB LAB and keep applying. Not so much for the sakes of learning but also when you interview you will have a better idea of how the concepts work and gives something to talk about back.

CaptainL

kohr-ah wrote: »

Two best ways really are to get a NOC job or a help desk job (if brand new in the field) at a place where you can transition roles.

Otherwise LAB LAB LAB and keep applying. Not so much for the sakes of learning but also when you interview you will have a better idea of how the concepts work and gives something to talk about back.

Thanks for the info. I will keep on studying then

J_Jones89

i agree keep studying and labbing. Even if you dont land that NOC job...if the new job you get lets you cross train with the network engineer thats great too!

ADVrider

You could also consider a internship.

kurosaki00

I'm starting to think the only way you get a network eng position is to land a noc/desk job in a company and move upwards.
We have User EXEC privilege in this noc for juniper, hp, cisco, brocade. We deal with tons of different kinds of connections and circuits but we cant do changes.
Every job description I see is... configure mpls, know how to work with bgps inside vrfs, know VMs... etc

No entry or low level jobs do stuff like that... you jump from monitoring to freaking super neteng 2000 it seems. No in-between positions.

AwesomeGarrett

I started a mid level role after the NOC. In the very first week the senior engineers wheel down a cart to my cubicle with four switches and three routers. They're like "site upgrades! Get to it".

The question is not how to get experience, but are you ready to go out there and find experience? Don't be sitting around waiting for it to come to you and when the experience does comes around, can you handle it? Are you ready?

There is a reason why most people that want a network career never achieve one, why network salaries are inflated, why demand is so high, it is because most of them do not have the skills to sit in network engineer interview.

I say this to challenge you, hit the books, hit the labs, and go chase the career you desire.

And remember, depending on the position, it's not always just about your technical abilities.

kohr-ah

AwesomeGarrett wrote: »

And remember, depending on the position, it's not always just about your technical abilities.

This alone means a lot. I have made it farther in my career not due to networking skill but my ability to work with departments and partnerships in the company which has made life a lot easier for higher levels.

Because of this they want to talk to me about solutions and ideas which brings us more work which brings us more hands on.

dannyky

Being personable and talking to others made you more money?

NetworkNewb

dannyky wrote: »

Being personable and talking to others made you more money?

its the other type of "networking" that can be very valuable for anyone's career

zxshockaxz

dannyky wrote: »

Being personable and talking to others made you more money?

Certainly. Technical skills are tough to learn, and are certainly impressive, but if you cannot effectively communicate those skills in a way the rest of the world understands, you'll have a hard time getting corporate buy-in or keeping a client base, because they simply wont understand what the hell you're saying to them. If your customers don't understand you, you won't make a sale.

AwesomeGarrett gives great advice: chase the career you desire and don't wait for the experience to find you.
In my current job, if there is a small project or task that needs to get completed by my supervisors that I'm interested in, I ask if I can help or if they can explain what is going on and why. Most of the time, they're happy to explain and quite often will let me sit at their keyboard and walk me through doing it for them. Not all jobs will give you that opportunity, but most will to a lesser degree. This has lead to me getting on board with several projects that are definitely above my job description, but the experience gained is invaluable.

aspiringsoul

Everyone has to start some where. Usually Desktop support/Help desk is the first step. Just don't stay in that type of role for too long. You have your CCNA, so after you get a little bit of experience, it should not be difficult for you to transition into a higher level role.

If you do not have a degree, consider enrolling at a community college or non-profit university. A lack of a degree may not impede you initially but you will hit a barrier at some point due to the lack of a college degree. If you have a degree, then disregard this advice.

Good luck

CaptainL

Hi All,

Thank you for all of the advices you had shared, it was really a great help and it is encouraging.

kohr-ah

zxshockaxz wrote: »

Certainly. Technical skills are tough to learn, and are certainly impressive, but if you cannot effectively communicate those skills in a way the rest of the world understands, you'll have a hard time getting corporate buy-in or keeping a client base, because they simply wont understand what the hell you're saying to them. If your customers don't understand you, you won't make a sale.

This is exactly how it is. Am I technical. Yessiree. I keep up on my studies and configure Networking equipment and solutions day in and day out. But as above said the CEO, CIO, property managers and more dont want to hear how i filter packets, establish 802.11ac gigabit wireless, etc. They want to hear what it means in their level which in turn to the earlier question yes my social skills bring more money.

Non technical departments come to me for help. They come to me with new projects and solutions which brings our department higher budget there fore they find me of higher value and brings me more money

Routers only require so much work (unless at a MSP or ISP) they shouldn't be breaking that often. They care more of when it breaks how fast can I diagnose and fix it.