The Network Technician Career Path: How to Build a Career Without a Degree

The demand for network technicians will continue to grow. As the AI gold rush opens new data centers across the country, network professionals are needed to set up and maintain those centers. The good news? You don’t need a four-year degree to break into this field. Many successful IT professionals start with certifications and hands-on experience, allowing them to build rewarding careers without the time and expense of a traditional college degree.

In this blog, we will walk through a step-by-step guide to becoming a network technician, from building foundational IT skills to advancing into senior networking roles.

Getting Started: Build a Strong Foundation in IT

Certifications to Start With:

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) (optional, for complete beginners)

• CompTIA A+(validates general IT support skills)

Entry-Level Job Titles:

• IT Support Specialist

• Help Desk Technician

• Technical Support Representative

Starting in these roles helps you develop troubleshooting skills and introduces you to networking basics—critical knowledge for the next step. It can also help you get your foot in the door with an organization with networking roles, so if you can, choose your first role with a company that also has roles for your next step up in your journey. Moving up within an organization is much easier than doing it from the outside!

The ACI Learning Tech Academy IT Support Specialist Program teaches you everything you need to know to pass the fundamentals covered in the CompTIA A+ exam. We want our learners to truly grasp the skills they’ll use on the job. That’s why our Skill Labs are sandbox environments—giving you a safe, hands-on space to practice. Plus, we include a certification voucher (after meeting release requirements) to help you take the next step with confidence.

Dive In: Become a Network Technician

After you’ve gained some general IT job experience, you can start looking into moving to a networking role.

Key Certifications:

• CompTIA Network+(validates networking skills and knowledge of routers, switches, and troubleshooting)

• CompTIA Security+ (adds cybersecurity knowledge, increasingly valuable in networking)

Job Titles to Look For:

• Network Technician

• Network Support Specialist

• NOC (Network Operations Center) Technician

Hands-on practice is crucial at this stage. Using sandbox labs with the guidance of instructors to help you along the way can greatly improve job readiness.

ACI Learning Tech Academy’s Network Technician Certification Prep Program covers CompTIA Network+ and Security+ content, giving you the skills to manage, troubleshoot, and secure networks. You’ll learn through interactive experiences like study games, group discussions, and labs to help you get comfortable with the material.

Growing: Gain Experience and Specialize

After 1-3 years in a network technician role, you’re ready to develop your career further.

Advanced Certification to Consider:

• Cisco CCNA (vendor-specific, but a strong industry standard for networking professionals)

Potential Promotions:

• Network Administrator

• Systems Administrator

• IT Infrastructure Specialist

These roles involve configuring and maintaining larger-scale networks and troubleshooting more complex issues. Many companies require 1-3 years of experience for these positions.

ACI Learning’s Tech Academy emphasizes real-world problem-solving skills, preparing students for career growth opportunities beyond the entry level. Our Career Services Team will even help you land your first job after you take our programs, assisting you in refining your resume and more.

Going Up: Move Into Senior-Level Roles

After 3-5 years in networking, it’s time to get a bit more serious.

Certifications to Level Up:

• CompTIA Linux+ (useful for network engineers working with Linux-based systems)

• Cisco CCNP (for those continuing the Cisco track and specializing in enterprise networking)

• Cloud Certifications (AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Fundamentals, etc.) (for cloud networking roles)

Potential Senior Roles:

• Network Engineer

• Security Engineer

• Cloud Network Engineer

At this stage, many professionals choose to specialize in cybersecurity, cloud networking, or infrastructure management to align with their career goals and whatever they find exciting. All of these niches within the industry are solid, so picking what interests you can be crucial to stay motivated to keep improving.

Advance to High-Level Leadership Roles

After 7+ years in networking, where do you go from here?

Certifications for Leadership & Specialization:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) (for security leadership)

• Cisco CCIE (expert-level networking certification)

• Project Management Professional (PMP) (for those transitioning into IT leadership roles)

Potential Job Titles:

• Senior Network Architect

• IT Manager

• Director of IT Infrastructure

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) (if specializing in cybersecurity)

At this stage, your experience, networking (with your fellow humans, not with tech!), and leadership skills play a bigger role in career growth. Many professionals move into management, architecture, or security leadership positions based on their interests and expertise. It’s important to remember that not all IT professionals want to become managers, so continuing to grow as a network professional may look like moving to new organizations, or expanding your niche from cybersecurity to infrastructure management, instead of moving up.

Key Takeaways

• This career path is flexible—some people may progress faster, while others take more time depending on opportunities and experience.

• If you’re a fiend for knowledge, you might rack up these certifications in half the projected time or less.

• The roadmap to success is continued learning through certifications, hands-on experience, and networking with industry professionals.

• The real key, that not everyone talks about, is to choose the areas within networking that genuinely interest you. Otherwise, you risk burning out a few years into your career.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to take the first step, ACI Learning’s Tech Academy offers instructor-led training designed to prepare you for CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications. With hands-on labs, expert instruction, and career support, you’ll be equipped to launch and grow your IT career with confidence.

Start your journey today and build a career in networking—without the need for a traditional degree!