What is Networking?

Computer networking refers to connecting multiple computers so that they can share resources and exchange information with one another. The network also allows users to access and share information from any computer on that network, regardless of which computer they are physically located at. Although most people think of laptops and tablets when they hear computers, a wide range of devices are capable of communicating through a computer network, including servers, printers, and audio/video equipment.

Why Work In Networking?

Networking may not be at the top of your list of career choices, but it should be. Whether you are new to the IT field or have been in it for a while, there’s plenty to love about being part of the networking world, from job growth opportunities to flexible working arrangements to the chance to help people solve problems every day. If you’re curious about what makes this career choice so great, keep reading!
Networking Programs - California Institute of Arts & Technology

Explore Networking Programs

What is Networking?

Computer networking refers to connecting multiple computers so that they can share resources and exchange information with one another. The network also allows users to access and share information from any computer on that network, regardless of which computer they are physically located at. Although most people think of laptops and tablets when they hear computers, a wide range of devices are capable of communicating through a computer network, including servers, printers, and audio/video equipment.

Why Work In Networking?

Networking may not be at the top of your list of career choices, but it should be. Whether you are new to the IT field or have been in it for a while, there’s plenty to love about being part of the networking world, from job growth opportunities to flexible working arrangements to the chance to help people solve problems every day. If you’re curious about what makes this career choice so great, keep reading!

CIAT offers three different Certificate pathways for Networking – designed to fit the needs of students with a range of technical skillsets, prior academic background, and career goals. With stackable IT programs, students can start with a Certificate program and seamlessly transfer completed courses to earn credit towards an Associate or Bachelor’s degree. 

Cisco CCNA Certificate Program

Length: 10 weeks
Best Fit If You Are: An IT professional with 24-months+ experience or prior IT certifications
Number of Certifications: 1

Our shortest, most accelerated Certificate program is designed for IT professionals with a prior background in IT network administration and wants to advance their career with the successful completion of the newest Cisco CCNA exam.

Networking Technician Certificate Program

Length: 20 weeks
Best Fit If You Are: An IT professional with 12-months+ experience or prior IT certifications
Number of Certifications: Up to 2

Our Networking Technician program focuses on helping students earn 2 in-demand industry certifications: CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA. This program is ideal for students building a specialized IT networking career but needs skill building on both beginner and advanced networking topics.

Computer Information Systems Certificate Program

Length: 10 months
Best Fit If You Are: New to tech or an early stage IT professional who has a prior degree but need industry certifications 
Number of Certifications: Up to 5

Earning our CIS Certificate is a definitive way to show potential employers that you have specialized expertise in hardware and software support, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud administration. This program prepares students to earn up to 5 industry certifications to support a variety of successful IT career paths. 

Networking Jobs are in High Demand

Networking Jobs Are In Demand

IT workers with networking skills are in high demand. If you’re interested in an IT career that is stable and has a bright outlook for employment, then network administration is for you. There is a projected growth rate of 6.5% for demand in network engineers over the next ten years. This is due to new technology being developed that requires professionals who understand networks. With new devices coming out every year, there will always be a need for network administrators.

Earning Potential

The potential earning potential for a career in information technology (IT) is high. The average Entry Network Engineer salary in the United States is $74,800, which is a great starting point for those who are looking to get into IT. Salaries will, of course, vary from industry to industry and location to location.
Earnings From Different Industries potential of Networking Programs Online

Education

Networking is a field that doesn’t require extensive education. From certifications to master’s degrees, there are a variety of education paths you can take to get into the networking field. Below are some popular certifications to get started in the field.

 *Job title and salary information displayed are all average annual salaries sourced from paysacle.com in 2022. They represent the most up-to-date information at time of print and are not to be construed as guarantees of employment or future earnings. Some positions may require 5+ years of experience and/or a Bachelor’s degree to be eligible.

Best Networking Programs Online

Fast Growing Field

Highly-trained networking professionals have been increasing in demand over the past decade with about 5% increases each year in networking career opportunities. There’s no hinting that will slow down as growth is looking to jump to 6.5% over the next decade.

Technology continues to change at a rapid pace, and networking professionals play a crucial role in developing these technologies and bringing them to market. The demand for qualified networking professionals is expected to rise as technology becomes increasingly complex and more businesses rely on computers for daily operations.

Needed In Many Industries

Computer networking, or networking as it’s commonly known, is a critical IT discipline that touches almost every industry and market. Whether you’re in manufacturing, retail or education, chances are that your business network and IT solutions need to be optimized for speed, security, and efficiency.

While these types of systems have become more complex and sophisticated over time, their importance has never diminished. Businesses rely on them daily to function effectively with minimal downtime.

If you have networking skills, you’ll be able to work in virtually any industry. For example, a skilled IT professional with networking expertise is more likely to find a job than one without it.

That’s because all industries are becoming increasingly reliant on high-speed data transmission, cloud computing, and mobile technology – all of which rely on optimized IT networks.

If you’re looking for more variety in your career, then networking might be a great choice. As an IT professional with networking skills, you can work virtually anywhere in any industry. Plus, as technologies become more advanced and internet speeds increase, IT professionals with strong networking abilities will remain in high demand.

Network Engineering Certifications
Best Networking Engineering Courses

Different Career Paths

IT careers are becoming increasingly complex. You can enter into a career in IT and work towards becoming a developer, network specialist, or database administrator, to name just a few. The one thing that all these roles have in common is networking, which helps you build rapport with colleagues across departments and enables you to support your organization’s technology infrastructure.

Popular networking roles include

Networking is constantly evolving, and so can your role. As an IT professional, you’ll be able to work on a number of different projects, allowing you to apply your skills in new areas. For example, if you begin as a network technician, you could progress into a senior network administrator or even move into project management. There is an endless list of career opportunities for those that start in the networking field.

Experience New Technology

Because new technologies are constantly being developed, network engineers have a lot of opportunities to try out new things. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to set up a voice-over-IP system for your company or get your head around blockchain, there’s always something new in networking. As long as you have an interest in technology, network engineering is a great career choice.

Because companies are also constantly growing, network engineers have a lot of opportunities to move up. There’s always more knowledge to gain and more responsibility to shoulder, which is why networking is one of those careers that’s never boring. As long as you keep learning, there will always be new challenges for you to solve.

Whether you’re joining a company as an entry-level network engineer or are a senior staff member with years of experience, networking is a career that continues to reward hard work. As long as you continue learning and working, you can enjoy your networking career for many years to come.

Curious about a career in networking?

Contact us today for step-by-step guidance on selecting the right education path that will help you reach your career goals. 

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CIAT has been awarded top ranking status two years running in Intelligent.com’s Best Cybersecurity Program review, highlighted as “Best For Industry Certifications”. Evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

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EC Council, the world's largest cybersecurity technical certification organization, awarded CIAT the Circle of Excellence Award two years in a row for our Certified Ethical Hacker certification training courses and career-ready curriculum.

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We believe you deserve an education worthy of your service. CIAT welcomes military veterans, active duty service members, and spouses using the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E), Active Duty Tuition Assistance, and MyCAA.

FULLY ACCREDITED

We have high standards and we believe you should too. CIAT has proudly earned accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

2021 Best Cybersecurity Programs

2021 BEST CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS

CIAT has been awarded top ranking status in Intelligent.com’s Best Cybersecurity Program review, highlighted as “Best For Industry Certifications”. Evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

2018 Academic Circle of Excellence award badge

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

EC Council, the world's largest cybersecurity technical certification organization, awarded CIAT the Circle of Excellence Award two years in a row for our Certified Ethical Hacker certification training courses and career-ready curriculum.

Military Friendly School '21-'22 logo

MILITARY-FRIENDLY

We believe you deserve an education worthy of your service. CIAT welcomes military veterans, active duty service members, and spouses using the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E), Active Duty Tuition Assistance, and MyCAA.

Fully Accredited School

FULLY ACCREDITED

We have high standards and we believe you should too. CIAT has proudly earned accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Talk to an Advisor

Request an appointment with one of our IT expert Admissions Advisors for personalized guidance on building your education plan. You’ll be able to book an appointment instantly for a time that fits your schedule. 

Enrollment Deadline - July 24, 2023!

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