Network engineer vs software engineer is the most confusing job role for an IT student to choose the careers into it.

Here are some of the points which can clarify the doubt of someone who wants to opt for it.

Educational/ academic requirements for network and software engineer

Educational requirements for network and software Engineer job role:

• Should have at least a bachelor’s degree in any technical stream.
• Such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, and Communication, etc. are preferred.
• Degrees like diplomas and B.Sc. in the above-mentioned field are eligible for junior roles.

Certification required for network engineer vs software engineer

• For network, you should have certification in CISCO or CompTIA certification, which is mainly required.
• You can get a job in network jobs without certification if you have basic or minimum knowledge of networking. (switch and routers).
• It will be not so easy to get a job in-network or you might get less salary.
• Software engineer certification is not required.
• knowledge-based on any programable language such as C, C++, Java, etc. can apply for the software job.
• Selection for the job is based on the interview performance for both job roles.

Work Culture and timings

A network engineer has mostly 24/7 jobs.

The shift for a network engineer is a rotational shift where the network engineer needs to work basically in the data center.

They also need to work for clients remotely in Europe, the USA, or Australia.

The rotational shifts are mainly :

• Europe Shift: After 2 PM IST
• USA Shift: After 7 PM IST
• Australia Shift: After 6 AM IST

Whereas Software engineer jobs are not 24/7, there are no such criteria for shift timings.

They have to work basically 8-9 hours normally.

The job timing is in the morning or evening as per the company/project requirements.

Salary and organizations

• Network Salary is less initially as compared to software.
• In-network you will get jobs mainly in big MNC’s.
• Software initially salary is more than network.
• The software engineer job will be in small companies or MNC’s as per the project requirements it depends.

Growth for network engineer vs software engineer

• Both have equal growth opportunities in long run.
• Initially in network growth is slow as compared to software.

The network mainly project are for 2-3 years.

Software projects are 6 months or 1 year depends on the project.

The in-network hike is slow, basically, the hike is after 1 year or more.

In the software, you will get a hike in 6 months or 1 year depends on the projects.

Job Security for network and software engineer

In-network Jobs, Job security is more.

The project assigned in-network is a minimum of 2 years of length or more.

The software project may vary depends, minimum length maybe 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year.

Job availability for network and software engineer

• Network engineer jobs are less available, getting a network job is not easy.
• Initially, in-network you can get the job.
• For an experienced employee, in-network getting a job is tough as you need more certification.
• Few jobs are available in the market if you search online Job portal for network engineers.
• Employees rarely switch jobs in the network as the project term is more.
• For Software, more jobs are available in the market.
• As the length of the project is less in software so employees search for jobs.
• Jobs are more available for employees who have multiple programable language knowledge.
• The requirement is more in software.

Ultimately it depends on the individual interest which one to choose network or software.

Both network and software engineer jobs are good in terms of salary and other benefits.

Just need to upgrade the skills in both domains to get succeed. Only focus on your interest.

Leave us a comment if we miss out on something about network engineer vs software engineer.