No One Wants To Be A Network Engineer Anymore

The job market is more competitive than ever but the desire to fill network engineering roles is lower than before. In this episode, Tom Hollingsworth is joined by Ryan Lambert, Dakota Snow, and David Varnum for an examination of why network design and implementation isn’t a hot career path. They look at the rise of cloud as a discipline as well as the reduction of complexity in modern roles with help from software an automation shifts. They also discuss how entry level professionals can adjust their thinking to take advantage of open roles on the market.

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Panel:

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[BradyLooney]

I am studying CCNA as part of my Bachelors in Network Engineering. I see so many people ask about Cybersecurity, Software engineering, Computer Science. I very very rarely see anyone looking to become a network engineer. I am very proud to be studying it and enjoy learning the ins and outs. Thank you guys for this refreshing view.

[jay_wright_thats_right]

People want jobs. Network engineering is not thought about because no one talks about network engineering. It's that simple.

[xxxyyy]

I'm 42 and just started studying for my CCNA, I know cloud has the cooler jobs now a days, I dont care, I like networking and Im starting from the ground up.

[pataleno]

I was network engineer 25 years ago. I’m accidentally getting dragged back into a Network engineering role with cloud and I’m loving it. 👍

[Daniel-ch]

Network engineer that made the move to cloud Architect here, I can totally agree that my knowledge in networking has made my job so much easier. Deep Routing understanding is a must for cloud

[lakhvirdhiman]

I have been in network engineering for 16 years and I completely agree with each panel member. It is totally true when it comes to fundamentals networking is a must.

[devohnmitchell]

I started out in Networking in the Marine Corps. Got my CCNA and the Old way of Networking that I learned it going away. Now I'm Learning Coding, Automation and Cloud. The Transition has not been Easy. Thanks for the Video!

[denniswenrich]

I’m working on my CCNA and Python and currently working as a network engineer. We install servers, cables, security cameras, telco, it’s my favorite job. It’s such a rewarding career too! Ultimately I wanna work towards network automation and SDN

[specklecoatedtoedyak]

It's not that being a network engineer is a less shiny role than being a cloud engineer or working in cyber security. It's that being a network engineer pays less. In my city a mid level network engineer with a CCNP makes about $75k per year, when cloud engineers & SOC Analysts make $100k plus.

[raphaeltowers]

This was great I just passed my CCNA and I feel I have a lot more to learn. I want to be a Network Engineer

[elsacarrera]

I'm a Cybersecurity bootcamp student with zero prior knowledge and I agree 100%!!! Network fundamentals was the most overwhelming class I took. Emphasis should be on Network Fundamentals - every Cybersecurity class thereafter has reverted back to knowledge learned from network fundamentals. Misconfiguration is one of the reasons vulnerabilities occur.

[DanPaulDrums]

I loved being a network engineer so much I'm pivoting back after years in project management. The data centers, the military like need to be on call and the close contact with hardware, the being blamed for everything, but rarely responsible for troubles! I loved it. I'm serious. If you're looking for someone to fill an employment gap, get me cheap before I have all my certifications back in place!

[nenadmilovanovic]

Great discussion. I think one of the main reasons people gravitate towards software engineering, cloud, devops etc is because most of those positions become fully remote once you have sufficient experience. Network engineering positions around me often require you to be on site or even at several locations. Sys admin position I interviewed for required me to drive 50 miles every Friday to their secondary office. Everyone wants to work in pajamas nowadays.

[NickBeaumont-wucc]

Great discussion. I want to be a network engineer because it's the backbone of IT. I have the Net+ and going for CCNA next!

[SKYMONKEY]

I honestly thought this was going to be a video about 3 network engineers explaining why they don’t like networking. Instead, they are referencing more about how it’s changed relating to cyber security and cloud. Great perspective! Good video!

[ChrisRossUK]

Really enjoyed this. As an IT professional (with limited networking knowledge) it's nice to hear what networking professionals think of networking in the modern day.

[LabEveryday]

I love networking, but between the gatekeeping, the difficulty of getting your first networking job, to the cap on the amount you can make even as a CCIE. It’s not as sexy as it used to be to be. You have to have a real passion for networking in order to be successful and like someone on your panel stated a lot of people don’t have the attention span to sit there and labeveryday. They also struggle to deal with the pressure of the role. Lastly, the lack of representation is a real problem. I’m interested to see the diversity at Cisco Live this year. 🤔 Good topic!

[dermoplast]

As a network engineer in Silicon Valley for over a decade. It is the best IT job in my opinion. I have traveled around the world building remote offices ( also being a tourist)and not just get stuck in the office everyday. I just don’t know how it will be in the next few years with all the templatetation and zero touch provisioning along with AI. It’s been a good career but it is changing. More cloud networking along with SASE zero trust doesn’t leave much equipment on premise.

[SDNBIT]

Modern network engineers are demanded to have diverse skill set to accommodate Internet's evolution. The amount and complexity of required skills creates a chaos on the minds of those who merely search for the clear roadmap to begin the journey.

[bbb]

Appreciate the video guys! I have aspirations of becoming a network engineer and it’s nice to hear that the fundamentals are still very much in demand. Passed my CCNA last July, studying for my CCNP now while working as a network analyst. I’m self-taught with no degree in the field, but if you have the desire to learn you can go a long way! 👍