Jobs in Networking

In Networking one can be:
Network Administrator
Network (Systems) Engineer
Network (Service) Technician
Network Programmer/Analyst
Network/Information Systems Manager

The Network Administrator:
In general, network administrators configure and manage LANs and sometimes WANs. The job descriptions for administrators can be detailed and sometimes downright intimidating! Consider the following description that, although fictitious, represents a fairly typical posting:
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR - HOBO COMPUTING "Candidate will be responsible for analysis, installation and configuration of company networks. Daily activities include monitoring network performance, troubleshooting problems and maintaining network security. Other activities include assisting customers with operating systems and network adapters, configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, and evaluating third-party tools."
Needless to say, a person early in their career often lacks experience in a majority of these categories. Most employers do not expect candidates to possess in-depth knowledge of all areas listed in the job posting, though, so a person should remain undeterred by the long, sweeping job descriptions they will inevitably encounter.
Requirements:
perform network management functions
ensure prescribed service-quality objectives are met
Knowledge of network and communication hardware and software
Knowledge of operating systems and applications and specific methods of network communication
Identifies and resolves complex voice and/or data communications network problems; arranges for vendor support if necessary.
Understanding of IP Telephony and Voice Over IP solutions with respect to network design characteristics and related configuration of hardware and end-user devices
Understanding and integration of Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
Understanding the use of point-to-point radio communications to extend Ethernet network infrastructure to outlying enterprise properties.
Understanding of video and surveillance technology
Salary:
Less than 1 year: about 41,000; 20 years or more: about 57,000.

Network Engineer:
The job function of a Network Engineer differs little from that of a Network Administrator. Company A may use one title while Company B uses the other to refer to essentially the same position. Some companies even use the two titles interchangeably. Firms making a distinction between the two often stipulate that administrators focus on the day-to-day management of networks, whereas network engineers focus primarily on system upgrades, evaluating vendor products, security testing, and so on.
General Requirements:
5+ years of network related experience in large multi-protocol LAN/WAN environments.
*At minimum, passed the written portion of the CCIE certification is strongly preferred along with expert knowledge of Cisco router/switch platforms, MPLS, BGP, EIGRP, OSPF, Frame-relay, ATM, TCP/IP, and wireless technologies.
*BS/MS in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field preferred.
*Experience with MS Office applications, especially Excel and Project.
*Experience with MS Visio a plus.
*Extensive experienced in inter-VLAN routing, Spanning-Tree Protocol, VLAN trunking with ISL and 802.1q, and VTP is also necessary.
*Network Management and Internet Connectivity/Security backgrounds are very desirable.
Salary:
less than 1 year: about 49,000; 20 years or more: about 79,000.