Computer Network Architects
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $67K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $88K
Median Salary: $116K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $147K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $175K
Demand
Core Tasks
Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
Develop disaster recovery plans.
Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
Develop network-related documentation.
Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
Coordinate installation of new equipment.
Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.
Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Computers and Electronics
94%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Telecommunications
89%
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Engineering and Technology
83%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design
74%
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics
71%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management
59%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Public Safety and Security
59%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training
57%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service
55%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Top 10 Skills
Critical Thinking
80%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
78%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
78%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
78%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making
75%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking
75%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis
73%
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
73%
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Writing
73%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination
70%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
80%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Information Ordering
80%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Oral Comprehension
80%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
80%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity
78%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Written Expression
78%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Near Vision
75%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
75%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Category Flexibility
73%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
97%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Analyzing Data or Information
90%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
89%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
89%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
86%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information
85%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information
84%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
83%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
79%
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Thinking Creatively
78%
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Detailed Work Activities
Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.
Monitor the performance of computer networks.
Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
Develop models of information or communications systems.
Resolve computer network problems.
Develop specifications for computer network operation.
Provide technical support for computer network issues.
Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
Modify software programs to improve performance.
Install computer software.
Install computer hardware.
Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
Document network-related activities or tasks.
Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Test computer hardware performance.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Communicate project information to others.
Design integrated computer systems.
Configure computer networks.
Manage financial activities of the organization.
Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.
Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Develop information communication procedures.
Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.
Maintain computer hardware.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Work Context
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Education
Majors
Major
Interests
Conventional
86%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
86%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
77%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Realistic
58%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
34%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
29%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
94%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Analytical Thinking
92%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Dependability
88%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Persistence
87%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Integrity
82%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Achievement/Effort
81%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Cooperation
78%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
78%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
78%
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility
77%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Work Values
Achievement
86%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
