A Day in the Life of a Network Technician

Network technicians are the behind-the-scenes problem solvers who keep businesses, hospitals, and schools online. Their work ensures that employees can access company systems, customers can reach support teams, and organizations can operate without interruption. But what does a typical day in this role actually look like?

Let’s follow Dana, a network technician at a mid-sized company, as she goes through a typical day. Dana arrives at work by 8 a.m. and starts her day by checking network performance, ensuring there are no overnight issues affecting employees as they log in. Most of her morning is spent configuring routers for a new office location, troubleshooting connection issues for remote workers, and checking security logs for any suspicious activity. After lunch, she installs a new wireless access point in a conference room and updates firewall settings to improve security. Before heading out for the day, she documents the changes she made and schedules a system update for later that night.

Now, let’s break it down further and look at each part of a network technician’s day in more detail.

Checking the Network

A network technician’s day usually starts with a once-over of the system to make sure everything is running smoothly. This means:

• Monitoring network performance for slow speeds, bottlenecks, or outages.

• Checking system alerts for security threats or unauthorized access.

• Reviewing help desk tickets for any reported connectivity issues.

Even a small network hiccup can cause major headaches for a company, so catching issues early goes a long way in keeping business operations running without a hitch.

Troubleshooting and Fixing Issues

When employees can’t access shared files, lose internet connection, or experience lag, a network technician is the one jumping in to save the day.

Some of the most common troubleshooting tasks include:

• Figuring out if the issue is hardware, software, or user error.

• Replacing or repairing network cables when a physical connection is the culprit.

• Adjusting firewall settings and security protocols to prevent cyber threats.

Most problems can be fixed remotely, but some require an in-person visit—especially when hardware needs to be replaced. Cutting corners here can lead to bigger problems down the line, so network techs need to be detail-oriented and thorough.

Installing and Upgrading Equipment

A network technician doesn’t just fix problems; they build and maintain the network infrastructure that keeps organizations online. That means spending part of the day:

• Setting up and configuring new routers, switches, and wireless access points.

• Expanding network coverage when an office grows or adds new employees.

• Installing security patches and firmware updates to keep cyber threats at bay.

Hands-on experience is essential for success in this role, so getting practical training in configuring hardware, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and securing systems against cyber threats will go a long way.

Planning and Documentation

Before calling it a day, network technicians document their work and plan for what’s next. That includes:

• Logging system changes and repairs so other IT staff can stay in the loop.

• Scheduling off-hours maintenance or software updates to avoid disruptions.

• Evaluating network performance to identify areas that need improvement.

Good documentation might not be the flashiest part of the job but skipping it can lead to major confusion later—especially in large IT teams where multiple technicians handle the same network.

How to Become a Network Technician

Network technicians are in demand across industries, with opportunities for advancement into network administration, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. If you’re thinking about stepping into this career, you’ll need technical training and industry certifications to stand out to employers.

The ACI Learning Network Technician Certification Prep Program is designed to help you gain the skills needed to launch your career, covering the material in the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certification exams. The course also includes a voucher for each exam, cost covered by ACI Learning, helping you earn an industry-recognized credential that proves your expertise.

Is a Career as a Network Technician Right for You?

If you enjoy working with technology, solving problems, and keeping systems running smoothly, becoming a network technician could be a great fit. With the right training and certifications, you can break into the IT field and start building a rewarding career. Most Network Technicians have some experience with IT before applying to this role. If you have no IT experience,

ACI Learning’s Network Technician Certification Prep Program provides the foundation you need to get started. Our online, instructor-led program helps you engage with the material through a unique combination of exclusive content, sandbox labs, practice tests and more. We’re committed to our learners, which is why our Career Services team provides one-on-one support after the learning ends—helping you stand out from the competition and land your first role. Take the first step today and explore how you can turn your interest in networking into a career.