What are the best ways to transition into a network optimization career?

Network optimization is a branch of network engineering that focuses on improving the performance, efficiency, and reliability of networks. It involves analyzing data, designing solutions, and implementing changes to optimize network resources, traffic, and quality. Network optimization can be a rewarding and challenging career path for network engineers who want to enhance their skills, solve complex problems, and add value to their organizations. But how can you transition into a network optimization career? Here are some tips to help you get started.

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1 Assess your current skills

Before you pursue a network optimization career, you need to evaluate your current skills and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Network optimization requires a solid foundation in network fundamentals, such as protocols, topologies, routing, switching, security, and troubleshooting. You also need to be proficient in network analysis tools, such as Wireshark, SNMP, NetFlow, and Nmap. Additionally, you need to have some knowledge of network design principles, such as modularity, scalability, redundancy, and resilience. You can use online assessments, certifications, or feedback from your peers or managers to gauge your skill level and determine your learning gaps.

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Guilherme Rigueti
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I continue in this never-ending war by evangelizing that network fundamentals are solid for any technological vertical that wants to maintain itself or another horizontal specialization. I see many network, security or any other engineers who sometimes end up having to do a rollback due to leaving "fundamentals that passed" or "stayed in the drawer". And a lot of the problem is there. At the foundation of the network.

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Arnaldo Gil

Gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios @ ARSITEC | MBA Executivo
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Os profissionais tendem a ficar super especializados em suas áreas dependendo de quanto tempo e onde trabalham. Você precisa avaliar se suas capacidades se aplicam ao mercado ou só ao seu lugar atual

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2 Learn new skills

Once you have assessed your current skills, you need to learn new skills that are relevant to network optimization. Depending on your goals and interests, you may want to focus on specific areas, such as cloud computing, software-defined networking, network automation, network security, or network performance management. You can use various resources, such as online courses, books, podcasts, blogs, or webinars, to learn new skills and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups where you can interact with other network engineers and optimization experts, ask questions, share insights, and learn from their experiences.

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Guilherme Rigueti
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For a while I was reluctant to the idea of having other skills within the area, besides networking itself. Seeking to have other "horizontal" skills alongside your main skill brings new experiences and professional growth. It opens new doors and strengthens even where the professional considers himself strong.

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Arnaldo Gil

Gerente de desenvolvimento de negócios @ ARSITEC | MBA Executivo
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Aprender coisas novas é sempre bom, no entanto é necessário avaliar se o conhecimento terá utilização a curto prazo. No mercado de tecnologia o valor do conhecimento deprecia a medida que novos modos são introduzidos.

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3 Gain practical experience

Learning new skills is not enough to transition into a network optimization career. You also need to gain practical experience and demonstrate your abilities. You can look for opportunities to apply your skills in your current job, such as taking on network optimization projects, tasks, or challenges, or volunteering to help your colleagues or managers with network optimization issues. You can also seek external opportunities, such as freelancing, consulting, or participating in hackathons, competitions, or events related to network optimization. You can use these opportunities to build your portfolio, showcase your results, and get feedback on your performance.

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Guilherme Rigueti
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One thing that definitely helps at this point is having a network. Meeting people opens doors for you and with them opportunities. Having the chance to work on side projects in other companies or places is a great way to put existing skills and new ones acquired into practice, where normally there will be no pressure on this.

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4 Update your resume and profile

Another important step to transition into a network optimization career is to update your resume and profile to reflect your skills, experience, and achievements in network optimization. You need to highlight your relevant qualifications, certifications, projects, and accomplishments that showcase your network optimization expertise and value proposition. You also need to use keywords and phrases that match the network optimization job descriptions and requirements that you are targeting. Moreover, you need to update your online profile, such as LinkedIn, GitHub, or Stack Overflow, to showcase your network optimization skills, experience, and portfolio to potential employers or clients.

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Guilherme Rigueti
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Not only these, but being constantly online with other professionals and sharing the experience you have acquired or sharing theirs, at least participating in the subject, helps you gain recognition and vision in the environment in which you live professionally.

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5 Network with others

The final step to transition into a network optimization career is to network with others who are in the same field or industry. Networking can help you learn from others, discover new opportunities, and get referrals or recommendations. You can network with others by attending events, conferences, or workshops related to network optimization, joining professional associations or organizations, or reaching out to your existing contacts or alumni. You can also use social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Reddit, to follow, connect, or engage with network optimization influencers, experts, or enthusiasts.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to transition into a network optimization career?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current skills

2 Learn new skills

3 Gain practical experience

4 Update your resume and profile

5 Network with others

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Engineering

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What are the best ways to transition into a network optimization career?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess your current skills

2 Learn new skills

3 Gain practical experience

4 Update your resume and profile

5 Network with others

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Engineering

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