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IT Networking

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Working with IT Networks as a Network Engineer you're likely to be designing, installing and handling the maintenance of computer communication networks within or between organisations as well as acting as a contact for network support. You'll be ensuring that the IT Network within the company performs as well as it can do in keeping communication channels running smoothly as well as sharing documents and files between computers and making the best possible use of It equipment within a company. This could be for a small independent company or a large business requiring networks across different sites in the region.

In the Yorkshire region there are plenty of opportunities to work in IT Networking. You could be working as part of an in-house technical support team in the public or private sector or work for a specialist network provider or consultancy. Once trained and qualified in the sector there is also the opportunity to work as a self employed or freelance Network Specialist. Networking roles are available in companies and organisations of all sizes but in many small to medium sized companies the role may be combined with other technical or user support responsibilities.

As this sector is very fast moving you really need to keep up to date with advances and changes in the sector. Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a related degree is likely to improve your chances and some employers look for those with experience of or training in Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering or Microsoft Certified Systems Administratio and experience in Cisco or Novell can also look good on your CV.

Having a good chunk of work experience in a related area can help make you more attractive to employers (though not essential) and you can this through a work placement or work shadowing or you could even offer to help a local charity set up their own computer network.

If you're looking to work in the area you'll need to be a confident communicator and able to work with people at all levels as well as talk people through complicated IT procedures. With more and more IT systems being integral to the businesses their used in its good to have a commercial awareness of not just the IT sector but whatever sector your business operates in to make sure your IT systems adapt with the businesses needs.

Graduates looking to work in the sector should also have good team skills, problem solving skills and an attention to detail. Your likely to working on you own a lot so independent thinking skills and the ability to organise your own workload are a must and if you're interested in a consultancy role in the field you need to be prepared to travel.

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Techmesh is a not for profit organisation, supported by Yorkshire Forward and Business Link. Techmesh is building a network of IT & Telecom companies in the Yorkshire and Humber region. techmesh offers networking events, business development, professional skills development and professional services provision for IT & telecom organisations in the region.

http://techmesh.org/