Looking for advice on skills I need to know as a network engineer

[hfakoor222]

So I'm in the market searching, trying to transition into network engineering from my current employ. I recently got my CCNP specialist (Encor), and obtained some telcom certifications from some universities. I also learned Python and I think i got pretty good with it.  And now as I've been applying I've noticed a wild west/platter of demanded skills, and so it disheartened me a bit as I don't have them.  Instead of learning alittle bit of everything, what are 2 solid areas i should focus on next i.e.. vmware, M. Learning, GNU, PE/CE on J. brand devices, virtualization (and explajn to me in what form),  firewalls? Firewalls seems like it'll take 6 months+ to learn productively. So I'm asking what are 2 other core skills/abilities I can work on which complement the traditional engineer role as I've been training for.

So for example if your response is cybersecurity, expand by mentioning what specific skills should I focus, which are in demand or regularly used.

Thank you for taking the time to read this

[Flavio Miranda]

Hello @hfakoor222 

 First off, thanks for the material you shared with me another day. Really appreciate.

  About your post, I believe you need to decide first in which direction you want to move. You clearly have what it takes to move in any direction but would be easier to decide if you "had a crush" on some area like networking OR cyber security OR programming OR Cloud.

 All of those are great and your coding skill will help you a lot on any of this area. But getting to you question, and speaking as a networking engineer I´ll recommend SDWAN and SDA. I believe, for networking, those are the two hottest  subjects when it comes to Employment in networking.

[hfakoor222]

Thanks I really appreciate that. . i was looking through the job boards today and about 15% were engineer roles based around basic-mid level firewall configurations and collecting info, and I think I might need to learn something about this area. i read an asa book twice and it seemed a little bit overwhelming to be able to do firewalls well,  it's a skill in and of itself.   One more question. Any areas in SD-WAN/SDA that integrate well with foundational network engineer concepts, or anything that can be learned functionally where I can put it to use in a reasonable amount of time?

[hfakoor222]

Does anyone have advice for someone trying to break into the field with a CCNP and a background in tech...

should i learn implementing vmware networking, learning what types of virtualization will get me a job, if I could apply coding skills other than automation where can i learn to apply it, or any other advice?

[Flavio Miranda]

For SDWAN you can go deeper with Lab. It is possible to run the whole SDWAN infrastructure in lab if you have enough CPU and memory.  Basically SDWAN comprise in a  Controller with three pieces:  vManage, vbond and vSmart, all of them virtual.

 Then you need routers which can also be virtual or you can run IOS on Eve. 

SDA would be more conceptual but it is also possible to build a Lab as DNAC virtual is available already.

[hfakoor222]

Bump. Tips/advice appreciated.