A network support engineer focuses on the maintenance of an existing corporate network, either as part of the organization’s internal IT support team or as technical support staff of a third-party network technology provider. Network support may extend from testing and troubleshooting problems to regular maintenance. Support engineers contribute high-level support such as strategic planning of network upgrades and high-level network performance analyses.
A computer engineering or computer science degree at the bachelor’s level can get you started in a network engineer career. To keep pace with network technology and advance in your career, supplement this educational foundation with a master’s degree in computer engineering or computer training certifications. Network support engineers face strong demand for their expertise; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, network analysts can expect 53 percent growth in the 2008 to 2018 period, making it the second-fastest-growing career in the U.S.
Recommended Reading: Webopedia’s list of Computer Certifications for Students and IT Professionals.
