Although you are likely to need extensive professional experience to become a network manager, you can often begin with completing your education. A degree in networking or computer science can help you begin working in this field, which is often an undergraduate program that can take about two to four years. Consider also receiving certification in using various networking systems and utilities, which can better qualify you above other applicants for a potential job. While you may need to begin working at a lower position, such as a system administrator or in technical support, you can gain experience in this type of job to help you become a network manager.
Your education can be one of the best places to begin as you plan out the path you will follow to become a network manager. There are numerous colleges, universities, and technical schools that offer programs in computer science, information systems, and networking. Consider a two-year program, such as those that culminate in an associate's degree, or a four-year curriculum that awards a bachelor's degree at completion. If you are interested in working at larger companies, developing multinational networking systems or researching new platforms for Information Technology (IT), then a postgraduate degree may be necessary.
As you are completing your formal education to become a network manager, and even afterward, consider different forms of certification you can receive. There are a number of companies that offer programs to certify you in the development and implementation of different networking platforms. This type of certification, combined with a degree in IT or a similar subject, qualifies you to work in many different fields. While you can certainly learn a great deal of information about IT systems from books and websites, a structured education can help set you apart from other applicants as you are trying to become a network manager.
You are likely to need a good deal of professional experience, probably about two to five years of work, before you can become a network manager. This is an upper-level position, so look for opportunities to begin working at a lower job. Companies may hire new candidates to work as system administrators of a Local Area Network (LAN) or as technical support associates to assist other employees. These types of positions can help you gain the professional experience you need to become a network manager. Once you have a few years of work in the industry, you may look for opportunities to advance at your company or for other businesses that need a manager.
