Network Consultants

 What They Do:

Network Consultants are hired on contract to customize a local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN) system to fit a firm's needs. They are product specialists who study equipment quality and reliability, and the extent of integration with the customer's existing systems, keeping in mind all operational costs. They recommend a range of options to the customer, coordinate the purchase of systems, and engineer the network installation, keeping to budget.

Employment Outlook:

According to the 1993 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the "employment of consultants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as industry and government increasingly rely on outside expertise to improve the performance of their organization."

Average Wages:
Wages for Network Consultants compare with those reported for experienced Systems Analysts at the highest pay level. Reported contract hourly wages for Systems Analysts with 5-9 years experience in California range from $25.00 to 40.00; however a few consultants with past experience as high level data managers receive as much as $100 per hour.

Background

During the past several years, there has been a trend in businesses to downsize from centralized mainframe systems to distributed networks which integrate minicomputers, workstations, and personal computers into an organization's computing environment. The 1994 U.S. Industrial Outlook reports that in 1993 "39 percent of personal computers worldwide were connected to networks, up from 33 percent in 1992". Revenues for area network hardware alone were estimated at $8.3 billion in 1993, a 23 percent increase over the prior year. Industry experts predict the growth to continue for the next five years and say more users will require increased networking capability and bandwidth at the desktop, as well as in geographically dispersed sites. As networks and their related software and products become more affordable, and are accepted and used, specialized occupations emerge. The purpose of these jobs is to:

Continue to improve networks through engineering and design
Sell, install, administer and maintain networks, and
Train and support users to get the most benefit from networks

Network-related jobs are still being defined and standardized by information systems industry experts, but until these standards are set and employers follow them there exists some disparity of titles, requirements and job duties in the private sector.

The term "network" has vastly different meanings in a variety of computing and telecommunication environments. For the purpose of this study, networks refer to the hardware and software operating systems that connect microcomputers and mini computers to each other for the purposes of sharing data and communication between users.

Networks not covered in this report are those that involve information service networks that charge a fee-for-service or subscription rates to users, and traditional telecommunication networks that refer to the cables and wireless highways connecting a variety of equipment such as telephones, fax machines, modems and computers. These occupations will be covered in subsequent occupational guides.

Network Points Of Interest:

Network technology is now incorporated into most engineering and computer science curricula, however many of today's "pioneer" Network Managers, Analysts, and Technicians say they learned the new technology by taking courses offered by the manufacturer and by reading manuals on their own.

While most of today's existing network-related workers were hired with proven experience and a stated interest in computers, many report having college degrees in such disparate areas as music, history and agriculture. Some LAN Managers and Administrators are former Data Processing Managers and Administrators whose duties and title may have changed along with the computing environment.

Job Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of a wide variety of current network systems, operating system software, p.c. software, and adaptive equipment
• Advanced budgeting and business knowledge
• Ability to communicate technical information in understandable terms to non-technical customers
• Sales and analytical skills

Training/Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field usually required
6 -10 years of progressively responsible experience and a current broad-based background in telecommunications networks and technologies.
Strong knowledge of several interfacing technologies such as digital, fiber optic, loop, and computer aided design.
In a WAN environment, should know FCC, utility and other governmental regulations and protocols.

Where the Jobs Are:

Yellow Pages Categories
Computer Systems - Networks
Data Communications Systems - Networks
Data Communications Equipment & Systems
Data System. - Consultants, Designers, Telecommunications
Comparable Job Titles in Government:

Federal:

Computer Specialist #GS-334
State of California:
Information Systems Analyst
Equipment Installation Analyst
Data Processing Manager
California State Personnel Board Exam Hot Line :
Legal, Prof. & Tech. (916) 653-1365

Where the Schools Are:

For lists of California post-secondary schools offering programs related to network technology, write to the following organizations:

California Post-Secondary Education Commission
1303 J Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-1000

The California Council for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education
1027 10th Street, 4th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
California Community Colleges
1107 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-8752

Source: State of California, Employment Development Department, Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group, (916) 262-2162.