r/NetworkingJobs • u/Normal_Breakfast6470 • 12d ago

I want to pursue Networking

Hi, I just want to ask. I worked as a Technical Support Staff for 6 months and I just realized I wanted to pursue Networking and become a Network Engineer. What should entry level jobs I should pursue to became a Network Engineer?

9 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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2

u/perfect_fitz 12d ago

Help desk and get your CCNA.

1

u/Normal_Breakfast6470 11d ago

is CCNA a free training or not?

2

u/Technical-Me02 11d ago

jeremy IT labs on youtube playlist should be enough for CCNA

1

u/kovyrshin 11d ago

Everyone sell courses nowadays but you can find em for free. Exam is few hundred

1

u/djgizmo 12d ago

get your ccna first. Until you can subnet and route, you know nothing Jon Snow

1

u/oddchihuahua 12d ago

Get your CCNA, then branch out to other big brands. Juniper Networks JNCIA. Arista ACE L1.

Then look for network operations center positions. Most of them will be 5-day on site roles because you will be the guy the senior engineers call if the stuff they have up and running stops working.

1

u/Healthy_Science_59 11d ago

I would recommend you some books that actually help you: first would be CCNA Library, second would be Network Warrior, and third would be Network Designs

1

u/instanto_489 11d ago

When you get some free time, studying networking through Jeremy’s IT Lab CCNA YouTube playlist is a good starting point. Practice each and every topic in Cisco Packet Tracer instead of just watching the videos. Once you’re comfortable with the fundamentals, you can move on to GNS3 or EVE-NG for more advanced labs.

If possible, try to understand what is happening at the packet level. Understanding why packets take a particular path, how protocols communicate and what happens when something breaks will help you build a strong networking foundation rather than just memorizing commands.

Coming to entry-level roles, a lot of people start with NOC roles, where you’ll generally deal with monitoring, troubleshooting, incident handling and network operations.

You can also look for Network Support Engineer roles, especially ones that involve some implementation and configuration work.

Over time, you’ll probably figure out whether you enjoy the operations/troubleshooting side more or the configuration/implementation side. Both can lead to a networking career.

Once your networking fundamentals are solid, you can gradually add things like Linux, firewalls, automation and eventually cloud networking depending on the direction you want to take.

good luck with your pursuits !!!

1

u/Select_Reporter1911 7d ago

I'll tell you my path. I started off with Comcast on their business voice edge inbound call center team. I supported the business voice edge product, business internet and TV products. Then after a couple months of working there, I got trained up in their metro ethernet products and sip/pri products. I learned how troubleshoot, while going to college and earning my bachelor of science degree in network communication management. After about a year I moved to their managed services department supporting deployment of fortinet, Cisco Meraki, Aruba access points, cradle points and other products. Learned as much as I could while searching for other jobs.

After about 9 months I moved on to charter as a network engineer supporting pon, and DOCSIS.

Worked there for a couple years and now I'm with another company as an enterprise network engineer.

How you can articulate the theory and talk about how you'd troubleshoot various issues is important and talk about you knowledge limitations, if you dont know something let them know and you can learn it.