Beginner to Pro: A Roadmap for Becoming A Network Engineer

💻 Build Your Own Cisco Home Lab for under $100

If you're interested in starting a career as a network engineer, this is the video for you! In this video, we'll teach you everything you need to know to get started, from the basics of networking to the skills you need to build a successful career as a network engineer. We'll cover everything from how to get started to the important components of a successful network engineering career. Thank you for watching!

Check out Keith's Channel: @KeithBarker

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⏰Time Stamps:
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0:00 ⏩ Becoming A Network Engineer
1:28 ⏩ @KeithBarker
2:25 ⏩ The Different Job Roles
4:18 ⏩ Interview Tips
10:12 ⏩ Networking with No Experience?
16:09 ⏩ Making Money as a Network Engineer
19:06 ⏩ Certifications
24:55 ⏩ Best Way to Learn Networking
32:46 ⏩ Too Many Certifications
36:58 ⏩ Landing That First Networking Job
40:11 ⏩ Learning Experience

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#networking #informationtechnology #careeradvice

[KeithBarker]

Thank you for having me on your channel and for the great conversation. I appreciate you making a difference in the world. Bravo, and keep it up.

[edwinswartz]

When @Keith mentioned the importance of being kind to everyone, it really resonated with me. This is because the industry is filled with individuals who act as if they have all the knowledge in this world and tend to belittle those who are still in the process of learning and self-improvement. I can relate to this personally because I've been on the receiving end of ridicule for asking questions when I didn't understand something. I've been told things like, "As a Sys Admin, you should already know A, B, or C." In other words, I've faced criticism for not knowing everything, and it's a sentiment that many people in the industry can likely empathize with. Thanks for the interview guys

[raijinnathanmatthews]

So today I landed my first Job in tech as an IT support engineer. I had the interview earlier and at the end of the interview I asked "What technologies would you want the ideal candidate to have knowledge of before they started the role?." The interviewers listed of technologies and I wrote them down in a notebook i brought.

I stumbled across this video whilst doing my research.

Crazy little coincidence. Very good advice

[jimgorycki]

This is a great conversation. I started into IT back in 1986, working at a computer lab at a FAU. I helped build out and manage multiple computer labs, both open and instructional labs on multiple campuses. Netware 2.x - 5. Microsoft DOS all the way up to Windows 11. Windows servers from 2003 to 2016. I also did technical support -- upgrading computers, fixing printers, computers, repairing network jacks, installing network gear. I started helping the networking team by installing and configuring switches. Sometimes all I needed to do was reboot a switch, bridge, or router. Then I got offered a network administrator position. Retired out of the university after 30+ years. I am doing DOD contract work. Folks, do your people networking and don't be afraid to volunteer. Be nice and don't beg. Get your certs, especially if you want to any DOD contracting. Check out requirements for IAT levels I, II, and III. check out DOD 8570 requirements.

[brixfrancis]

I graduated Bachelor of Science in IT way back 2018 and worked as a graphic artist / illustrator for 4 years. Way back September this year, I got my first job as an IT Support for a retail company. I learned so much about my job that I kind of want to become a Network Engineer. This video helped me a lot on where to start.

[easyy]

I did it through the Army. Joined as a Network Operations Specialist. I guess that’s like NOC analyst. They paid for my college and all my certs. Decided to stay in apply/become a Network Operations Warrant Officer. In civilian terms, that’s a Network Engineer. Never thought I’d be doing IT stuff when I was a teenager. They trained me from the ground up as a teenager with zero experience. Pretty legit gig, especially the 30 days vacation and my whole family’s healthcare is taken care, amongst a multitude of other valuable benefits. In several more years I can retire from the military and be paid half of my paycheck for the rest of my life. Thats going to be over $50k-$70k a year for doing absolutely nothing when everything is said and done, for the rest of MY LIFE. Then I can get a civilian job paying me $100-150k on top of my retirement.

[texastitan]

Keith barker is by far my favorite “celebrity” in the networking field and has always been my favorite trainer since I got my ccna 6 years. Something about his voice and character is perfect for teaching. He sounds so understanding and happy to be where he is. He truly looks and sounds like he has a passion for the field and I love that in an instructor

[dre]

On the help desk for 2 years now. Getting my CCNA before the end of the year then a cloud cert!

[xCheddarBbx]

A quick note about the discussion at around 16:00, people who move around during their career make on average 50% more than someone who sticks around at the same organization. The obvious caveat is that you may want to stay when you find the happy place.

[shawnlewis]

To gain real world experience, I used to do a lot of free work for non-profits. I convinced them to buy the equipment they needed and I put in the hours to set it up. Sometimes they even paid me a little when the money was available.

[jamviator]

Coincidentally I'm watching this while configuring a Cisco IE-4010 at my job. To whoever is looking to get into networking, just keep at it, you'll see the results soon enough. And talk to people who are already in the field.

[mgbmg]

Keith is a great instructor in the field and the energy he shares is contagious

[DJ-Dubs]

Thank you for this video. After 8 years in the military and 5 years contracting I’ve finally realized Networking is my passion. I’m currently enrolled at WGU for Network Engineering to get my bachelor’s and Certifications. I want to practice on my own. What would you recommend for me to practice during free time? Building a home lab? Maybe a home network?

[JJGal]

I got my CCST networking cert and I am working towards my CCNA. I had an interview for a technical support position at a VoIP company that starts at 21 an hour 14 days after getting my CCST. This had all been an alone journey with much useful resources.

[NullVariables]

In the last 8 years, I’ve moved from a Intern, to Helpdesk Technician, to IS Technical Assistant, to Endpoint Specialist, to Core Technician. I want to move to the next step, but the step is such a big step it is really difficult to find something that I feel is worth it. I am studying my CCNA, which I think this will help push me into the next step. I want to do Network Architecture for Data Center networks eventually, it’s a far way off, but it’s my goal. Any advice to get there as quickly as possible? I’ve tried so many different courses, StormWinds Raymond Lacoste has helped me more than anything so far.

[NetworkBruh]

Kelvin Tran is the Doogie Howser MD of Networking! The kid is a genius and pops in my Discord and live chats as well and is ALWAYS willing to help out.

[michaels]

Thank you for your content, I'm finding it very helpful. Elevator pitch... I'm 50, disabled vet, did signal in the army, did network cabling after. Both fiber and copper. Built server farms but never got on the other side. I quit to work on some issues I had going on from the army and to take care of my kid. Now he is 6, I'm getting a divorce, she cheated, and I'm trying to reboot my life. Being network engineer will piggy back of the other stuff. The army I worked in a mobile noc. So that's it. I'm just starting this journey, so I could totally go a different way or not doing anything at all. But thanks for sharing these.

[Tarekjeroude]

This was so good to watch, I hope you can get with someone in Dubai to help people like me with 20 years of experience how to land a job, because here the compaction is unbelievable.

[fasteddylove-muffin]

RE: having to change companies to get a promotion. In the '80's & '90's I recall they had a saying for computer programmers.
If you want to get a raise, quit your job & go work for another company.
Some things remain the same.

[niksatan]

Just landed on this video, looking for advanced roadmap from zero to advanced network engineer job, hope this it the one, will watch it carefully, thanks.