How can you make the most of your first year as a Network Engineer?

Some things to get started… -Learn the OSI model -Learn how to make an Ethernet cable, figure out if the cable is good or bad -Understand the basics of switching, VLANS, load balancing, trunking, RADIUS, port settings, PoE, spanning tree fundamentals -It’s always good to have a buddy that can break stuff in your lab, so you can figure it out, challenge each other -Stick with Switching fundamentals then move to routing -Learn TCP/IP, understand the sliding window and retransmission -Take a basic CWNA and learn wireless, understand what shared media and overhead is Biggest advice, you need to collaborate with peers, try, fail, fix and that is what will make you a well rounded Network Engineer!

Lo que aprendes en la escuela son solo herramientas, que te van a ayudar a solucionar los problemas que se presenten, pero la humildad de aprender de otros es indispensable en este proceso.

These 3 steps will ensure your success: -Attitude -Attitude -Attitude Either network engineer or any other role Attitude is the multiplier effect that will lead you to gain knowledge and networking with your peers. Mindset is one of the main topics not studied in the regular professional paths. The collaboration attitude is maybe the secret of the sauce. !Always think in terms of helping the business continuity, and never forget that the network is a mean to an end, taking data from point A to point B with a technology (that for sure will change in time) is the final goal. To help this final goal there are many technologies that will change over time. Keep learning and helping with the right attitude! Help the business!

In order to excel in your first year as a network engineer, prioritize ongoing education, seek guidance from mentors, and gain practical experience through real-world projects. Develop a professional network, communicate effectively, and foster a problem-solving mentality. Remain flexible, become proficient in relevant tools, and actively participate in team collaboration. Establish clear career objectives, solicit feedback for growth, and balance self-assurance with humility. This comprehensive strategy will lay the groundwork for a prosperous and rewarding career in network engineering.

To maximize your first year as a Network Engineer, it is crucial to prioritize continuous learning, gain hands-on experience, build a strong foundation, seek mentorship, develop soft skills, network with peers, and stay updated with certifications. Embrace challenges, stay curious, and dedicate yourself to continuous learning, as it is the key to a successful and fulfilling career in the field of computer networking. By following these strategies, you will lay a solid foundation for long-term growth and advancement in your career as a Network Engineer.

While keeping up with technological trends is undoubtedly essential for career development, network engineers should always pay attention to fundamental knowledge about computer networking and related domains. These are the foundations for acquiring advanced knowledge and exploring more sophisticated topics. Building a solid foundation is crucial for network engineers to advance in their careers without leaving any gaps that could potentially hinder their long-term development. Still, trends in these fields are strategic to career development, so make sure you stay up-to-date!

Actually, I agree that one should keep up with the latest trends in technology realted to the every evolving field of network engineering to remain relevant. New technologies emerge every single day and we have to be on top of things with being left behind.

Network engineering a high tech and demanding career. You have to develop the desire and appetite to learn new things and learn every day in order to keep up with this dynamic field. Networking with like minds also puts you in a better position and helps you keep abreast with latest studies, emerging skills and technology.

Staying up to date is a very important skill in every technical field and every professional specialty. To do this, follow the Linkedin pages/blogs of technology vendors in the field of networking. You can follow the websites that offer quality content and journalism in the field of technology, and you can be informed as they are updated with the help of RSS feeds. On the other hand, newly released RFC etc. you can also follow the publications and get detailed information about manufacturer-independent industry standards.

You need to understand that as a Network Engineer your job is not to just break and fix your environment, but also to future proof it by staying on top of trends before they become expectations and you find yourself behind and playing catch up. For example, I learned Software Defined Networking via Python before it was a widespread term and expectation, because it improved my marketability and my organizations ability to adapt to changing business needs in a programatic way, therefore allowing flexability. Adopting the mindset of exploring beyond job requirements and after hours learning will never serve you poorly in your career and is a mindset you need to adopt from day 1 to stand out.

The first thing is to learn the core skills such as routing and switching because all the other technologies ride on a functional network. Once you understand the technologies and have this strong foundation, take the following steps in building your portfolio. -Discover your interest and determine career path -Understand the requirements, your capabilities, strengths and weaknesses -Focus on building the necessary skills and learn as much as you can -Network with like minds, keep learning and develop yourself continually.

Despite that the core skills for this position are routing, knowing TCP/IP etc., soft skills play a big role, especially for the first time. I know some professionals, who struggle to get a raise or even get into a company that they like. They do have perfect hard skills, but so others do and in this situation softs are the key

To establish a successful career in network engineering, focus on creating a solid portfolio. You must gain hands-on experience, obtain relevant certifications, showcase your projects and technical skills, highlight your education and training, include professional contributions and recommendations, and demonstrate your commitment to continued learning. Work smart to organize your portfolio in a clear and visually appealing manner, using professional language and ensuring easy accessibility. By doing that, you will increase your chances of securing rewarding career opportunities in this field.

Focus on doing many projects hands-on! You need some hands-on CONFIG and TESTING experience: Ethernet, routing, firewalls, Juniper, Cisco, BGP, OSPF, IS-IS… You’re most valuable when you’ve BUILT it personally, and FIXED it personally, and EXPLAINED it. You should expect that mature organizations - e.g., a big bank, or a large service provider - will hesitate to let you experiment on the production network. Setup new configs in a lab, and develop tests aimed at detecting any cases your designs don’t work. And beyond that, you need to EXPLAIN your projects. You’ll double your learning when you have to make the verbal case that your design is sound. Best yet: find skeptical people to ask you hard questions.

Your approach should align with your chosen path. For those diving into network automation, showcasing personal projects like Python scripts or Terraform modules on GitHub is great. If you're more focused on network architecture, LinkedIn is a powerful platform to highlight relevant projects and expand your portfolio.

Human to human networking isn't always easy within the field of TCP/IP networking The "Networking" industry is sprawled out and strapped into different areas. "Cloud Networking", "SP Networking", etc. I've had a lot of luck DMing network engineering on Linkedin for 1x1s, and trying to connect with networking pros at conferences like re:Invent. I've also gotten a lot of value from working to build relationships in tech outside of the Network Engineering community.

Networking with other professionals and enthusiasts is crucial for a successful career in any field, and that would be the same for network engineering! It provides valuable insights, hidden job opportunities, mentorship and collaboration opportunities, and valuable and strategic connections with industry experts. You will actually learn from everyone and from all directions! By actively networking in this field, you will enhance your knowledge, skills, and professional development, leading to exciting career possibilities and increased chances of success. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with others!

Once at work, I used networking to find a new opportunity. As a network engineer at a small company, I felt stuck in my career. I attended local meetups and events, where I met other network engineers. One person I met told me about a job opening at their company, and I got the job. Networking has been crucial for my career, helping me find jobs, learn skills, and build professional relationships. I also mentor other network engineers to give back. Being intentional about networking, I meet new people, follow up, and stay connected even when not job hunting. Networking is a valuable skill for any network engineer - make the most of it!

Human network is very important. Just like establishing a network between machines, it is necessary to have basic knowledge on how to establish a human network. 1. It is necessary to learn to give without receiving. You must first think about what you can do for the other person, not for yourself. 2. It is necessary to know how to keep your relationships warm and updated.

Network engineering is a crucial component of the modern technological landscape. As our society becomes increasingly reliant on the internet and digital communication, the role of network engineers in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust and efficient networks has never been more important. However, the field of network engineering is not static; it is constantly evolving to keep pace with the latest trends and technological advancements.

It is very important to be able to prioritize the work done; it is a much more effective method to determine priorities by discussing them with your managers, teammates and business units. Secondly, if you have routine tasks, automating them will save you a lot of time. Gaining network automation skills is an important skill in this respect. I think regular exercise and mental and physical fitness are more important than anything else and are one of the most important components of success.

Lists, Lists, Lists! I always have 3 lists on the go. 1: To-Do: This is for the big jobs. For each item, consider is it Important & is it Urgent and do the tasks appropriately. Note: This list is useful when you have many things to do and keep getting given more 'Urgent' tasks. When that happens, put this list in the order you think they should be done in and then discuss it with your manager. 2: To-Do (10 Minutes): This is for the small jobs that still need to be done but you can fit in between meetings, at the beginning/end of the day, etc.. 3: Done: This is the list of jobs I have done and I keep this in my desk diary. When you have had a busy day but ask the question 'What did I actually do today?' you can look at the list and smile!

Deployed new network infrastructure for client. Used project management tool, set aside time each day to review progress, completed project on time and within budget. Key to time management is to be realistic, focus on most important tasks, break them down, set aside time to relax. Use time management tools, calendar, to-do list, review progress daily.

First, carefully plan your schedule, considering all your tasks and responsibilities. Second, set realistic goals for yourself. You can stay motivated and focused on your work by setting achievable targets. Third, prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency. This will ensure you address the most critical issues first and avoid unnecessary delays. Fourth, delegate or automate tasks that can be done by others or through technology. This will free up your time for more complex and strategic work. Finally, regularly evaluating and adjusting your time management approach is crucial. As circumstances change, it is vital to adapt your strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance and ensure optimal productivity.

Managing your time is important and I learned this the hard way. When you begin, you will feel like you are scrambling to stay afloat as you don’t want to “look bad”. But be realistic. Day by day you will improve, building on the day before. To that end, ensure that you put in a little extra time… but not at the cost of your mental health and well-being

Enjoying your work is a prerequisite to becoming a successful network engineer because it directly impacts your motivation, job satisfaction, and overall performance, and such a thing goes without saying; it's obvious. When you enjoy your work, you are more likely to be engaged, proactive, and committed to delivering high-quality results. Additionally, enjoying your work fosters a positive mindset, which can help you overcome challenges and stay motivated during difficult times. To have a successful career as a network engineer, it is vital to pursue your passion, continuously learn and grow, challenge yourself, collaborate and network, celebrate achievements, maintain work-life balance, and find meaning and purpose in your work.

The emergence of 5G technology is set to revolutionize network engineering by improving network reliability, speed, and capacity. In order to keep up with these trends, it is imperative for network engineers to stay informed about the latest developments in the field. This can be achieved through continuous education, professional certifications, and staying connected with industry experts and peers. By investing time and effort in keeping up with current trends, network engineers can ensure that they remain at the forefront of the industry and are able to design and manage networks that meet the ever-changing demands of the digital world.

If you're not finding fulfillment in your current role, consider taking a leap into a different field. If traditional network engineering isn't your passion, how about exploring the world of cloud network engineering? It offers a completely different environment with its unique set of challenges.

We are very fortunate that networking is a BROAD field. You can specialize in different areas of networking over time. So... that means you have the agency to generally focus on learning what's interesting to you!! So as well as you can align your learning and work with your personal interests within the field, the more you'll dig it!

24 Hours! You have 24 hours in your day: 8 for sleeping. 8 for working. 8 for everything else! 'Everything else' includes: - Getting to and from work. - Studying. - Eating. - Family. - R & R. - etc. In summary: Most of your awake time during your adult life will be related to job. If you don't like your job, get one you do. If you enjoy your job, you will probably good at it. If you are good at it, you can advance your career.

Try a little bit of everything. If you are following processes don’t just follow the processes you’re given, understand them. If something doesn’t work, do not just escalate, ask questions as you escalate. Ask for time with other teams, especially Ops. If you’re in the middle of something and it goes wrong, Ops will be your best friend, be sure to know how to engage and work with them. If you start in Ops, congratulations! You will eventually know more about the whole of everything than anyone. The best network engineers, starting out, are the ones that learn Ops along with change, deploy, and design.

Network Engineers must not be afraid to break things. We learn just as much fixing things as building them. When designing and building, we're often making assumptions about how systems are supposed to work. When they *don't* work, we're often forced to go past the GUIs and understand what's happening under the hood.

Spend time to know the network, a big part of troubleshooting depends on your institutional knowledge of the network under consideration. Master the basic cheatcodes in network troubleshooting, pings, loops, trace routes, ipconfig etc, learn to isolate the the problem node/section early, and this will give you a huge leverage in resolving faults faster and easily. I have realized that it's far easier to troubleshoot a networked you've helped build/setup than one that was setup by someone else that you need to operate.

My 'Starter for 10' 1. Learn the OSI 7-layer model. This helps with keeping focus in networking discussions. 2. Be a 'Problem Solver' Pick one subject & become the SME for it. Then pick another . Be the person people seek out. 3. Memory Techniques Learn how to remember things! There are many techniques to help with this. 4. How to learn! This may sound silly, but there are ways to learn more efficiently and effectively. 5. Trouble Shooting Learn the logic of trouble shooting a problem. - Kepner-Tregoe - Explain you problem to a Rubber Duck! 6. DIY Setup virtual environments to test yourself. I have used GNS3 in the past to build and test virtual networks. Break it time! 1/3 config, 2/3 break it & understand what broken looks like.

Stay away from the fire hose your first year! In your first year as a network engineer, prioritize understanding your specific network. Focus on its business goals, overall design, and the protocols it uses. Ask why these protocols were chosen and monitor the network logs for alarms. While pursuing certifications is beneficial, tailor your learning to the technologies and protocols your network employs. For example, knowledge of OSPF is less impactful if your network relies on IS-IS. Deeply understanding your network's unique setup is key; it enables you to improve and optimize it effectively. Learning new protocols is great, but start with mastering the details of the network you have at hand for a strong foundation in your role.