An IT network engineer designs the computer networks that organizations rely on to access, share, and store information. Network engineers implement and maintain local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), the corporate intranet and Internet connections, and the virtual private network (VPN). The complexity of the work depends on the organization: a small start up may employ a computer engineer to oversee a handful of desktop computers, while an engineer at a large multinational manages a web of complex, globally distributed networks.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification for an IT network engineer career, though many engineers secure this advanced role with a master’s degree in computer science or MBA in information systems. IT certifications such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) offer a means of keeping pace with evolving network technology.
