WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR NETWORKING CAREER

by Lina Fafard

There are two things to keep in mind:

• No matter what the problem is, the network gets blamed, and
• Every problem is a network problem

Understand what the client's needs are:

According to one CIO:

The chronic trouble is, the network products fail to meet the business.

• Products need to be effective versus charming
• There must be value for the expense

For example:

A vendor tried to sell a product to a very large company at a cost of $10 million per year.

The CIO asked, what can it do?

The vendor said: it can observe the network, see that it is broken, and place a phone call to tell you that it's broken.

The CIO replied with:

The user is going to call us anyway. It can't fix the problem. We have to do that anyway. Where is the value?

The design review process:

• Gather data up front, do the discovery and get to the root of the problem.
• Design collaboration; hold people to do what was decided upon
• Review the design

Remember:

• Things that are already settled on are not a collaborative process anymore.
• There are always options added later.
• Be realistic. You can only fit three people is a closet at a time, more people won't make it go faster.

• You need the discipline to do a good discovery
• You need salemanship to collaborate well in the design process
• You need process/project management skills to ensure the design is being fulfilled

Delivering your plan and getting buy in:

There are two styles of management:

• If they are technically astute, they will question your design.
• If they are not technically astute, they will question you motive.

Be aware of costs:

Most network costs are calculated by seats, the larger the network is, the cost goes down per seat. Networks cost approximately $600.00 per seat. Workstation wiring is the biggest cost factor, you can't change that.

Go in to get approval with alternative designs, three is ideal:

• Human nature picks the middle plan
• Make the first one bullet proof (they usually reject due to costs)

Troubleshooting skills are essential:

Understand that you'll get blamed for everything because Every problem is a network problem, therefore, learn more than superficial knowledge. You need to be armed in:

• Databases and operating systems because there are a lot of problems with applications being really slow and perhaps the database was not properly tuned for the operating system.

• You need to have a good "sniffer" or other network analysis trace tools. You must be able to read through a trace of a protocol stack.

• Unix C-Shell Scripts, HTML, SQL., object oriented programming, C or C++, Java, and VB, NT and Solaris.

• Learn the ability to write Pearl Scripts to write your own automation processes. At the senior levels you have to lay out your designs on white boards or by using other network design tools.

• You have to show definitive proof. Good knowledge, ot just "a gut feel"

Prepare for inter-department battles:

Inter-department battles occur, but it all boils down to fixing the problem. Build a swat team to determine where the problem is. Team work is essential. No one has total knowledge of all areas. It's impossible to keep up with the constant changes in all areas.

It's a demanding job:

You become part of the network with 24/7 attachment, usually putting in 50-60 hours per week. A lot can be done from home. On-call duty is usually rotated.

It's also a rewarding job:

When you work yourself to death and finally get a big project completed, and you walk away from the building and say to yourself, "That ought to last about five years." It is a very rewarding feeling and you really experience job satisfaction The users really appreciate your work and that also feels good.

Mentors:

There are few opportunities where the boss is a mentor. Develop a personal network of mentors. Get a mentor or become one, because it will force you into accuracy.

Rates:

Current job rates, Southern California

In-house:

• $30-40K - Network Control (Hardware & Cabling)
• $40-45K - Help Desk/PC Administrator/Support Desk
• $50-60K - LAN Administrator (larger shops, separated from WAN)
• $55-65K - LAN/WAN Administrator (small to midsize shops)
• $75-85K - Network Design Engineers
• $85-95K - Managers of the Network Services (hands on technical designers)

Vendor:

• Contracting rates: $48.00 - $60.00 per hour
• Royalties - Network software/hardware product development
• Commission - Network Pre/Post Sales System Engineers (territories/travel)

Keep in mind the vendors get used and abused as much as possible by the clients. Both job avenues can be very rewarding.

A little advice from a Network Engineer's Recruiter:

• Stay at least two years in your first position if possible.
• Don't jump at every increase that comes your way.
• Learn patience and build your name/reputation from the beginning.
• Take care of everyone in MIS and work hard to increase your client's bottom line.
• Stay on top of technical trends and don't burn bridges.
• Leave everywhere on a good note.
• Work with reputable companies.

A few words about Resumes:

• Treat your resume like a business plan's executive summary (15 seconds).
• Choose youor words wisely.
• State your accomplishments, be specific.
• Leave off non-relevant experience.
• Don't lie.

How to get your first job:

• Volunteer (Non-profit organizations, schools, YMCA, churches, etc.)
• Go to big company job fairs (impress in person)
• Chamber of Commerce meetings - when introducing yourself explain you are IT specialist looking for a job
• Internal transfers

Most importantly, enjoy your career, your skills are in demand!