Network Analysts Careers – Complete Career Guide
You can leverage the experience of our talent acquisition platform for your staffing and career development needs. As a full-service IT staffing and recruiting firm specializing in cybersecurity, the Field Engineer platform can scale its services to meet our clients’ needs.
- Skills in information security include security analyst, technical manager, CISO, director of security, penetration tester.
- Cyber security skills include forensic analysts, vulnerability researchers, and computer crime investigators.
- Network infrastructure includes systems engineers, network analysts, and network engineers.
What is a Network Analyst?
There are many fields of work that have a connection to computer networks, and Network Analysis is used to describe several of them. But Network Analysts are responsible for the core of Network Analysis.
There are many types of networks, including the Internet, intranets, local area networks, and wide-area networks. In addition to analyzing and configuring network components, they install, layout, and maintain them. Besides installing and configuring, they also need to upgrade their system networks daily to make sure that they function properly. An already established network system may experience technical problems, which they must analyze and resolve.
Job description for network analysts
You will be responsible for installing, laying out, and maintaining all network components within an organization.
Most network analysts become involved in both the technical and business sides of a company. Identifying problems within the organization and identifying a suitable technical solution is therefore necessary.
Plans, designs, analyzes and provides technical support for the company’s data communication networks. Research and evaluation of network technology can also be performed, as well as recommendations for purchasing network equipment.
Typical employers include large retail chains, government departments, or financial institutions. An IT company specializing in troubleshooting projects would be another option.
Depending on the type of organization you work for, you might be tasked with restructuring a bank’s customer accounts to improve security or integrating phone and internet systems to improve the efficiency of a call center.
In most cases, you will work with a team of programmers, designers, and IT managers to design systems. The level of responsibility you hold may determine whether you supervise the installation, test, and evaluate the success of the networks, and ensure all necessary staff has been trained to use them properly.
Network Analyst Education Requirements
Applicants to small-sized companies can apply with an associate’s degree in the Network Analysis career path. Most large companies, however, require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. The following are some reputable schools that offer degree programs in computer science and IT.
Education at the undergraduate level
- The University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom – BSc (Hons) Computer Science.
Individuals who are interested in technology and software development and how these can benefit others should consider the program. There are core topics in this program such as foundations of computation, programming, multimedia, networks, databases, operating systems, software engineering, and professional issues. Student tuition is £13000, with a full-time 3-year course duration or 4-year course duration with a placement.
- Marshall University in the United States of America – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Using a practice-based and theoretical approach, the program prepares students for careers in Computer Science. You will learn how to analyze, design, build, test, and deploy computer-based systems by making technical trade-offs between performance, scalability, availability, reliability, security, maintainability, cost, and societal impact. Students at the university are able to use the university’s state-of-the-art computing facilities. International students are charged $9,853 per semester.
- Debrecen University in Hungary – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Students in this program are trained as IT professionals and gain solid theoretical knowledge to further their careers. This will help them attain advanced performance capabilities in the future. They will also gain a better understanding of the typical software-oriented development process. In addition, graduates are able to work independently or as part of a team on tasks related to IT equipment and systems. There are six semesters in the program. It costs $6000 per year for international students.
Network analysts do not have entry-level positions in any organization. In the beginning, you will be an associate, a technician, a help desk associate, or a trouble-shooter, and after gaining three years of experience, you will become a Network Analyst.
Network analyst job requirements for entry-level positions
Having a degree in computer science or business information, along with experience in a related field of IT, is necessary to be a network analyst.
In addition, you can take a postgraduate conversion degree to enhance your technical skills and qualifications.
You can become a network analyst by starting as a trainee programmer, or something similar, and working your way up to the position.
Training to become a network analyst
You’ll most likely have an intensive period of training when you start as a network analyst so that you are familiar with the entire network and the needs of the company. A systems analyst training program is also possible.
Since the IT industry moves and changes so quickly, you will constantly be required to update your skills and knowledge.
There are some courses offered in-house, but many are external courses that can lead to professional qualifications from organizations such as the British Computer Society, e-Skills, or the Institute of Information Systems.
Network analysts’ working hours and work environment
As a network analyst, you may work 37 to 40 hours a week, but occasionally you may need to work late to update or maintain systems. During normal business hours, this can often be difficult without disrupting the rest of the operation.
The majority of your work will be done in an office, either at your desk or at clients’ offices. Working for clients might require you to travel for short periods away from home, but it depends on where the client is located. It may be overseas in some cases.
At times, it may be possible to work from home, but this will depend on the employer’s preferences.
Network analyst salary average
The average salary of a newly qualified network analyst is approximately £25,000 per year. Eventually, your annual earnings will increase to nearer £40,000, and after several years, you could earn up to £58,000.
Job postings for Network Analyst
Network analysts are one of the fastest-growing professions in the tech industry. They work with a variety of industries and projects, including retail, government, and healthcare.
Recruiting network analysts at the field engineer platform
Network Analysts can then reach out to those employers who are seeking candidates with appropriate skills. This platform has over 60,000 engineers in more than 195 countries, making it one of the biggest and most convenient platforms for employers looking for people in specialty occupations.