Why Is No One Becoming a Network Engineer?
This YouTube podcast episode discusses the declining interest in network engineering as a career path. Key points include:
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The “Shiny New Thing” Syndrome: The allure of newer IT fields like DevOps, AI, and cloud computing overshadows the fundamental importance of networking. People are less interested in learning “old-school” networking concepts like spanning tree.
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Abstraction and Lack of Appreciation for Fundamentals: Modern technologies abstract away many networking complexities, leading to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the foundational skills necessary for a robust and reliable network.
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The Network’s Invisibility: Because well-functioning networks are largely invisible to end-users, their importance is often overlooked. This contrasts with fields like cybersecurity, which receive more attention and perceived “coolness.”
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Resistance to Change: Many established network engineers resisted the evolution of the field, creating a lack of mentorship and enthusiasm for newcomers. The absence of gamified learning platforms and engaging training resources further discourages entry into the field.
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Cybersecurity’s Rise: The high demand and perceived high earning potential in cybersecurity draws many aspiring IT professionals away from networking, even though a strong networking foundation is crucial for cybersecurity expertise. Cybersecurity is often perceived as having more narrowly defined, readily accessible career paths.
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Cloud Computing’s Impact: While cloud computing doesn’t eliminate the need for networking skills, it changes how those skills are applied. The shift towards cloud-based networking might lead to a rebranding of roles rather than a complete elimination of the need for network expertise. Fundamental networking knowledge remains essential, even in cloud environments.
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The Evolving Role of the Network Engineer: The traditional network engineer role is evolving. Future network engineers will likely need a broader skillset, encompassing cloud technologies, security, and automation, rather than focusing solely on traditional networking tasks.
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Resources and Paths to Entry: Despite the perceived decline, the networking community offers rich resources for learning, including online communities, certifications (like CCNA, although the hosts have differing opinions on the best certification paths), and hands-on experience with networking equipment. Starting with cloud networking certifications can be a good entry point.
In essence, the podcast argues that while the traditional network engineer role might be shrinking, the underlying need for networking expertise is far from disappearing. The challenge is shifting the perception of the field and encouraging new talent to acquire the fundamental skills needed for the evolving landscape of network management in a cloud-centric world.