Network Engineer Review

Depending on the current projects my team is involved in there is a number of different tasks I could be working on. I usually spend some time reading documentation regarding a new project or updates for those ongoing. If there is a new project I'll spend time training on the process & shadowing a colleague. Some time is spent doing preparation work such as checking all the documentation is ready for an upcoming job. Often tasks involve taking calls from field engineers to support commissioning new network devices, performing configuration & updating databases. Other tasks include network management, importing devices into the software databases with the correct parameters to take automated backups and statistics. There are more specialized projects where I help during the whole process of designing and commissioning a customer network, deciding on the scope, technologies used, addressing, configuration & install.

Beginning with next to no networking knowledge I have now gained Cisco Certified Network Associate certification (CCNA) & began working towards the CCNP. I've had a rounded education on networking from the theory to the practical applications, implementing those skills in current projects. There's a range of applications I've had to learn from the NPM Solarwinds to remote connection tools like PuTTY. Some software I already had experience in but have become more proficient with such as Excel, with this I have been gained a deeper understanding of using and creating Macros.

I like that I've been given time to spend a lot of time studying & pushed towards certification. My manager has made sure I don't get stuck doing repetitive tasks giving me work which pushes my skills & lets me practice the knowledge I've learned with more complex tasks.

The structure is somewhat mixed. For the college portion of the programme it was scheduled for 6 week long blocks over an 8 month period where we stayed on campus. We have an apprenticeship coach that visits every few months to check how we are and assign NVQ work. For the day to day work it was slow to begin with but the team I was assigned to had not long been created so a lot was still in flux, and though there are times where there are lulls in the work it started to become more regular. My team is quite flexible though which has been a good thing for having plenty of time to study. There has been some technical apprentice training but it has been being developed and not really in place and structured regularly.

My employer has been amazing with supporting me. When at work I've always been given contacts to reach out to about anything I might need help with The team around me is always willing to help, going out of the way to create guides for systems and access & helping with study notes. I've been allowed flexibility to take time for studying and certification, working from home in cases of bad weather or when I was involved in projects starting early or finishing late, and when needing time for the dentist. They've also been great during the birth of my child, there was no issue with getting time for appointments and sorting paternity leave, they even managed to push college forward as it involved travelling away for a week at a time so it would be finished well before the due date.

For the BTEC we were at campus a week at a time so the process was quite self contained with little need for work outside this time. This worked well in that the teachers were able to give plenty of after class support getting anyone back up to speed as soon as possible working with a small group straight after class.

The actual qualification has been of little use. It was nice to learn some of the history of telecommunications but the focus was on old technology with a significant amount of time spent on the plain old telephone service which is being phased out. There was only a small amount of time going over useful principles such as the OSI model and a very quick look at a practical modern network.

The company offers a lot of ways to get involved in charity and promotes them heavily. Our wider team makes sure to regularly get people together from the smaller teams from different parts of the country for collaboration and an after work get together. There are opportunities for networking events with senior leaders and those in other parts of the company, there is a regular networking event to bring together apprentices from all over the country where they also organize leadership and soft skill training.

Yes

Starting apprenticeship pay is reasonable and increases quickly. An opportunity to learn skills and gain professional certification. The hours aren't too bad and the teams usually offer flexibility, overtime or supplementary pay for work at weekends or when a job starts too early or late. There is the chance to move in such a large company to find the role that fits you, my manager is an example of this after starting in customer service they were able to gain technical qualifications, move to networking then become team lead.

Be prepared for a lengthy application process. You don't need detailed knowledge about the role you'll be in, but that you're prepared to learn and work together in a team. Be warned that there will be a group task at the interview, be ready to listen but don't be passive. Remember that a number of people doing the interview will be part of the team you'll be joining. Don't be too disheartened if you don't get the role, you can always apply again next year.