Over time, we all observe technological shifts in various aspects of our lives. Whether this change will affect the labor market, the norms of communication or the education system, it does not matter. One thing is for sure: IT skills are in the greatest demand among businesses to survive this major shift.
That is why it is predicted that the employment of computer specialists will grow by 11%, and information security analysts by 28%, which is much faster than the average for all professions. Inevitably, people will want to have an IT degree in this field and benefit from the prospects. But do you have everything you need to become a professional in the field of computer networks? Read the list of IT skills and mark the fields according to your abilities.
What are computer networking skills?
First of all, let’s clarify what computer networking skills mean in general. They are the foundation of any business. Having this skill set means you can connect devices and help organizations communicate internally or externally with the rest of the world. Also known as IT networking skills, they include the following:
- Analytical skills
- Computer skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Multitasking
- Research skills
- Organizational skills
- Interpersonal skills
Analytical skills
Setting up and installing computer networks is not all the knowledge you need to become a computer security specialist. You are also expected to have other skills, such as the ability to analyze complex data.
This is what we call analytical abilities. They relate to the ability to collect and analyze information, solve problems and make decisions. This set of qualities will be of great importance for the future of the company. You will help them improve their performance and directly increase their productivity. In this context, having good analytical skills means that you will be able to evaluate the performance of a network or system, as well as detect and track changes in computer systems.
Computer skills
No, we are not talking about computer knowledge, which is basic and based on user experience. In fact, computer skills will allow you to work with various technologies, including local area networks, wide area networks, network segments, intranets, hardware and software. You can also be expected to have skills working with Microsoft Windows, Linux and UNIX operating systems. Last but not least, you should also know the basics, such as building computer systems, the methods required to install computer components, and the protocol used when updating systems.
Note. In some cases, you may also be required to have computer programming skills. In other words, be prepared to write code and develop software for computers and network systems.
Communication skills
How will you provide IT support to administrators or employees if you don’t have proper communication skills? All the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you may have are sometimes wasted if you can’t properly communicate information to the people you need. Yes, in some cases you can get away with writing reports, but this will not be the best case. From time to time, you will also be asked to inform the audience verbally. Therefore, you should work on improving the way you talk to your colleagues to better explain the patterns of all the data you receive.
Problem solving skills
When we talk about problem-solving skills, we mean the ability to cope with difficult situations in the workplace. From the point of view of a computer specialist, you need to solve problems related to computer networks. It is a very valuable asset to have some self-control and assess the situation without thinking about the negative consequences. Organizations rely on such professionals, and the ability to solve problems most often makes you the hero of the day.
Multitasking
When you are doing computer networking tasks, you are undoubtedly working with several projects at the same time. This is a common thing for computer specialists. Most likely, you will run periodic updates and prepare for the deployment of new software or improve network security protocols. And all this while you are still giving up inefficient equipment. However, multitasking helps you build your professionalism, so try to look at it from this point of view when you feel that you are drowning in work.
Research skills
Architects of computer networks, as a rule, are very independent people, inclined to self-study. If they are not sure about something, they will definitely dig deeper and find potential resources that will help them work better. Being able to conduct research correctly means that you will soon be solving problems. And we can observe the relationship between the skills themselves. Computer specialists usually conduct research using the following methods:
- Investigation
- Metrics
- Data collection
- Prioritization
- Data Entry
- Inventory
- Checking accuracy
Organizational skills
Having organizational skills means that you have some of the most desirable transferable skills an employee can possess. Why is that? Simply because they allow efficient and rational use of available resources, such as time, energy or mental abilities, to achieve the desired results. And when you are dealing specifically with computer systems, organization can be the most exceptional quality.
Interpersonal communication skills
Computer network specialists can be individuals or a whole group of people working together in the same field. To have a sense of mutual understanding with each other, you must have healthy interpersonal communication skills. This will improve the quality of your relationship and make you a valuable member of the team. It is important to understand other people’s points of view and express your thoughts clearly. After all, you spend most of the day with these people. Why not invest in healthy communication that will lead to long-term productivity.
Result
There are many privileges to be a computer specialist, but there are also advantages. It’s okay if you haven’t ticked all the skills listed above. For example, we all know that organization is an atypical trait of computer professionals! However, all these skills can be adapted while you are studying or working in this career.
