Program Description
The Networking Program is a program with a strong curriculum for high school students on the principles and practices of designing, building, installing, and maintaining computer networks in today’s ever-changing fast-paced world. Students will complete coursework in a complete range of computer concepts—from network cable installation, through such complex concepts as subnet masking rules, access control lists and configuring routers. Students learn on state of-the-art equipment so they can stay on the leading edge of rapidly changing networking technologies. Training needed to acquire professional certifications will be an integral part of this program. Qualifying graduates may enter the workforce as certified professionals or continue their training at the college level.
Year 1 Course Outline Includes
- Demonstrate baseline security skills for IT support professionals
- Configure and support devices and operating systems
- Troubleshoot and problem solve core service and support challenges
- Support basic IT infrastructure and networking
- Implement basic data backup and recovery methods and apply data storage and management best practices
- Design and implement functional networks
- Configure, manage, and maintain essential network devices
- Use devices such as switches and routers to segment network traffic and create resilient networks
- Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing network configurations
- Implement network security, standards, and protocols
- Troubleshoot network problems
- Support the creation of virtualized networks
Year 2 Course Outline Includes
Students complete the four Cisco Certified Support Technician Networking (CCST Networking) courses during senior year. These classes are:
- Networking Basics
- Network Devices and Initial Configuration
- Network Addressing and Basic Troubleshooting
- Network Support and Security
CCST Networking focuses on the skills required for onsite support and maintenance of Cisco routers, switches, and operating environments. These courses will allow you to be able to:
- Identify Cisco router and switch models, accessories, cabling, and interfaces
- Understand the Cisco IOS Software operating modes and identify commonly found software
- Use the Cisco Command Line Interface (CLI) to connect and service products
Achieving the CCST Networking certification is considered one of the best foundations for supporting other Cisco devices and systems.
Employment Outlook
Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for information technology (IT) workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks. Growth also is expected as the use of IT in healthcare increases.
Employment of network administrators in the computer systems design and related services industry is projected to grow 24 percent from 2018 to 2028. The increasing adoption of cloud services by small and medium-sized businesses that do not have their own dedicated IT departments could increase the demand for network and computer systems administrators within this industry.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics