Studying Computer Networking

Is your biggest pet-peeve slow-loading websites and YouTube videos? If so, then you’ve got to thank computer networking professionals for the work they do in keeping the internet and computer networks up and running. These professionals design, run and maintain networks of all sizes—ranging from home and small business to servers spanning continents and serving giants like Amazon and Netflix and also underground cables and fibre optic cables in the oceans.

Australian universities deliver well-organised, industry-relevant programmes that are valued by employers. In fact, most programmes are embedded with a work experience option which involves either undertaking a work placement or completing a relevant project at an external company.

Several of Australia’s 37 universities offer programmes in computer networking.

Some of the universities where you could study are:

• Monash University
• Melbourne Institute of Technology
• Swinburne Institute of technology
• La Trobe University

Salary and Career Prospects

Computer networking professionals are needed by virtually every company in every sector. They find employment in traditional IT and tech companies (IBM, Google) and IT functions of accountancy and professional services consultancies (EY, KPMG), engineering (AECOM,AMEC), retail and hospitality companies and government.

Some of the roles computer networking graduates take up are:Network Engineer, Node Operator, Junior Systems Engineer, Infrastructure Engineering (Networking) and Networking and Systems Engineer.

Salaries vary depending on qualifications, job role, location and experience. As a guide, computer networking professionals take home an average of $70,000 a year (48 lakhs INR approx).

Why Study in Australia?

Australia has cemented its place as one of the best study destinations for international students. There are 37 universities in Australia; with 7 featuring in top 100 and 15 in top 250 in QS World Rankings 2019.

Prominent IT and technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, in addition to home-grown brands like Atlassian and Aconex operate in Australia. Cities of Melbourne and Sydney have a thriving start-up and innovation landscape.

Australians enjoy year-round good weather, high salaries, access to spectacular beaches and a healthy work-life balance. The country is vast and beautiful and has something to offer for everybody, be that opera, music concerts, films, outdoor activities or beaches and surfing.

International graduates are typically offered post-study work visas of up to 3 years upon graduation.