The wide availability of computers and the internet has made computer networking specialists necessary in many companies. The job outlook for this career is excellent, but you will face fierce competition. Working in computer networking also requires a thick skin, good problem-solving skills, great customer service skills, and a good work ethic. You do not need to get a master's degree in order to pursue a career in computer networking, but it might help you stand out from the competition. Few colleges offer computer networking degrees, but you can choose to get a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, communications science, telecommunications, telecomputing and electrical and computer engineering. You will have access to the same jobs whether you have a bachelor's or master's degree.

A Network Administrator is sort of the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to computer networking. A computer networks graduate should not try this position right out of college. Network administrators are responsible for configuring routers and switches, helping customers, configuring LANs (Local Area Networks) and WANs (Wide Area Networks), evaluating third-party tools, and making sure that firewalls are working properly. You will also need to maintain network security.

Network Engineers perform similar work to that of Network Administrators. Some companies even consider them the same thing, while others make a clear distinction between their duties. Network Engineers generally focus more on system upgrades, emergency maintenance, testing vendor products, and testing security. Network Engineers generally start their days after the rest of the company has left for the evening. You might also find yourself on call. This job has a long list of responsibilities, so a computer networks graduate must be willing to work hard and learn on the job if necessary. You will also need good problem-solving skills, as you will be handling emergencies on a regular basis.

Network Programmers design programs and applications that test and analyze the network, including diagnostics and monitoring utilities. This job is less involved than those mentioned above, but will still require hard work and an extensive knowledge of computer networks, hardware, and programs. Network Programmers might also build a new environment for the company or test various third-party products. A computer networks graduate should choose this job if he or she loves programming.

Network Technicians (also called Service Technicians) concentrate on one specific program or piece of hardware. Technicians do not need to maintain a whole computer system, but they often perform emergency maintenance and troubleshooting. This means that they, too, might work odd hours or be on call. Most technicians do not spend their days at the same company, but instead travel as needed. Service Technicians will also provide customer support and perform system upgrades if necessary. Each of the above jobs will work under the supervision of a Network Manager or Information Systems Manager. While this job focuses on administrative and supervisory work, you will need experience in the field before you can become a manager. A computer networks graduate will need to prove his or her capabilities in one of the other positions first.