Skill path
How to become a Computer Network Architect
How to become a Computer Network Architect: skill roadmap with 5 core skills, degree usually required, courses and salary data. Updated weekly.
Education & experience requirements
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.
- On-the-job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Foundations
Skills assumed by employers — the base to build on
- Computer NetworksFoundation
Understanding how devices exchange data over networks. Essential for designing,and securing infrastructures. Learn through network simulation and practical configuration.
- Operating SystemsFoundation
Managing computer hardware, resources, and processes. Needed for system stability and performance. Learn through OS design and hands-on administration.
Core skills
The skills that define the role today
- PythonHigh demand
A versatile programming language. Data professionals use it for analysis, automation, and building data-driven applications.
- DatabricksHigh demand
A unified analytics platform for big data processing and AI. Employers use it to handle large-scale data workloads. Gain skills through platform tutorials and Spark experience.
- Data LakeHigh demand
A central repository to store raw data in various formats. Needed for flexible analytics and data science. Learn about storage systems and cloud-based data engineering.
- ExcelHigh demand
A spreadsheet program for data organization and analysis. Essential for accountants and many other roles to manage and interpret data.
- Machine LearningHigh demand
AI that learns from data to make predictions or decisions. Used by scientists and managers to analyze complex data and automate tasks.
Tools in demand
Specific tools that appear in live postings
- Microsoft AzureIn demand
Microsoft's cloud computing services for building and running applications. Essential for cloud-based infrastructure. Learn through Azure documentation and free practice environments.
- PythonIn demand
A versatile programming language. Data professionals use it for analysis, automation, and building data-driven applications.
- AWSIn demand
Amazon's cloud platform for computing, storage, and services. Employers use it for scalable infrastructure. Learn by experimenting with AWS free tier and following official documentation.
- CiscoIn demand
Networking hardware and software suite. Required for building and managing networks. Learn through hands-on labs and study.
- TCP/IPIn demand
Internet protocols governing data transmission. Essential for network architecture. Learn via networking courses and simulation.
- DNSIn demand
System converting domains to IP addresses. Needed for network reliability. Learn by studying protocol basics and configuration.