IT Support Technician → Network Administrator

A realistic transition from IT Support Technician to Network Administrator: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 17%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium7 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 17%

Transition from IT Support Technician to Network Administrator.

Transferable skills

  • Scripting basics

Skills to learn

  • TCP/IP & subnetting
  • Routing basics
  • Firewall & VPN
  • Wi-Fi
  • Network monitoring
  • Packet analysis

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your IT Support Technician experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Scripting basics

    Map transferable skills — Scripting basics — against what a Network Administrator needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Network Administrator

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Switching & VLAN

    Raise Switching & VLAN to the level a Network Administrator relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Network Administrator role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • TCP/IP & subnetting
    • Wi-Fi
    • Network monitoring

    Technologies

    CiscoHPE ArubaFortinet

    Cover the biggest gaps first: TCP/IP & subnetting, Wi-Fi, Network monitoring.

  4. 4. Master advanced Network Administrator skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Routing basics
    • Firewall & VPN
    • Packet analysis

    Technologies

    pfSenseWiresharkBGP

    Handle the advanced topics: Routing basics, Firewall & VPN, Packet analysis.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Network Administrator toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CiscoHPE ArubaFortinetpfSenseWiresharkBGPOSPFVLAN

    Be hands-on with Cisco, HPE Aruba, Fortinet and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Network Administrator work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Network Administrator tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Network Administrator

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CompTIA Network+Cisco CCNAFortinet NSE 4

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Network Administrator, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes