Networking for Network Engineers: Building the Connections That Build Your Career

Networking for Network Engineers: Building the Connections That Build Your Career

When most people hear “networking,” they probably think of cables, routers, and switches. But in the world of network engineering, there’s another kind of networking that’s just as important: career networking.

One of the main things we’ve learned from producing The Route to Networking podcast is just how crucial networking is, and how much of a difference being part of the community can make. From our hundreds of conversations with professionals across networking, security, and telecoms, it’s clear that engaging with peers, mentors, and industry groups not only helps you learn faster but also opens you up to opportunities you might never have discovered on your own.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a military leaver, or stepping into your first role in networking, learning how to build your professional network is one of the smartest investments you can make in your career.

Why Networking Really Matters

It might surprise some people, but your technical skills, while essential, aren’t always enough to fast-track your career. Many of the roles in networking, security, and telecoms are filled through referrals and recommendations rather than job adverts. Knowing the right people can give you early access to projects, jobs, and insights into the industry.

Networking isn’t about collecting business cards or sending endless LinkedIn requests. It’s about building genuine relationships, sharing knowledge, learning from others, and being part of a professional community.

Finding Your Community

One of the best ways to start is by joining groups and communities where like-minded engineers gather. These can be formal, like professional organisations such as the IET, IEEE, or NANOG, or vendor-led communities like Cisco Networking Academy or the Juniper Networks Community.

But it doesn’t stop there. Online spaces, LinkedIn groups, Reddit forums, Slack or Discord channels, can be just as valuable. These are places where you can ask questions, share insights, and meet peers who are walking the same career path. Even your university alumni network is worth tapping into, chances are, someone there is already working in the field and willing to offer guidance or opportunities.

Events: Where Connections Come Alive

While online networking is valuable, nothing beats meeting people face-to-face. Conferences, hackathons, and meetups are fantastic opportunities to meet peers, mentors, and recruiters. Big conferences like Cisco Live, Black Hat, or InfoSecurity Europe are excellent, but they can be expensive.

The good news is there are plenty of smaller, budget-friendly events that offer equally valuable networking opportunities:

• Local Cisco User Groups (CUGs): Free or low-cost gatherings where you can learn from peers and Cisco experts in a friendly setting.
• Tech Meetups: Platforms like Meetup.com host groups focused on network engineering, network automation, and cybersecurity. Many meetups in London and across the UK are free or just a small fee.
• Hackathons and CTF Competitions: Often hosted by universities or local tech communities, these events are a great way to collaborate on practical challenges while making new connections.
• Regional IT & Networking Conferences: Smaller vendor-led events or regional editions of larger conferences provide valuable talks and networking without the big price tag.
• University & College Events: Career fairs, guest lectures, and networking evenings are often free and are ideal for connecting with recruiters and experienced engineers.

Even if you can’t attend in person, many larger conferences now offer virtual passes, giving you access to talks and networking opportunities at a fraction of the cost.

The trick is to approach events strategically. A little preparation goes a long way. Know who will be there, have a short introduction ready about yourself, and don’t just focus on what others can do for you, ask questions, listen, and show curiosity. After the event, follow up with a personalised message on LinkedIn; it’s often these small gestures that cement long-term connections.

Your Digital Footprint and Personal Brand Matter

Networking isn’t limited to events and in-person meetups. How you present yourself online can have a big impact on your career, and building a personal brand is a key part of this. Your personal brand shows what you do, what you care about, and how you contribute to the professional community.

For network engineers, this doesn’t mean posting technical manuals, it’s about sharing your journey and engaging with others in meaningful ways:

• Post updates about your work or projects: Share what you’re learning or building. Even small wins can spark conversations.
• Tell stories: Talk about challenges you’ve overcome, lessons learned, or interesting experiences from work or events.
• Ask engaging questions or run polls: This invites discussion and helps you connect with peers who share your interests.
• Share a bit about yourself: People connect with people, not just job titles. Personal insights, hobbies, or your career motivations make your profile relatable.

Even small, consistent actions like these make you visible and approachable. They help you stand out as an engaged, thoughtful member of the networking community, and can open doors to mentorship, collaborations, and opportunities.

Mentorship: Learning and Giving Back

Mentorship plays a crucial role in career growth. Finding a mentor can provide guidance, introduce you to new opportunities, and help you navigate challenges. But it works both ways. Mentoring someone else, whether a junior colleague, a peer, or a student - builds your credibility, strengthens your network, and helps create a supportive professional ecosystem.

Sometimes, it’s the conversations over coffee, or a quick chat after a conference session, that become the most influential relationships in your career.

Take Your First Step

If you’re ready to start building your network today, one of the best ways to begin is by joining our Empowering Future Network Engineers LinkedIn group here

Through The Route to Networking podcast, we’ve had conversations with hundreds of professionals in networking, security, and telecoms. One thing that’s clear from speaking to so many experts is that they are happy to take the time to support and chat with anyone starting out, which is exactly why they agreed to be on the podcast. Each episode includes the guest’s LinkedIn contact information, so if you’re inspired by anyone you hear from, you can reach out, connect, and start building your own professional relationships. They are a fantastic resource for advice, guidance, and mentorship.

This is a simple way to get started, but there are plenty of other resources out there to help you grow your network further, events, forums, mentorship programmes, online communities, and more. Engaging consistently and exploring these opportunities will help you learn faster, meet the right people, and open doors to career opportunities you might never have found otherwise.

You can explore all podcast episodes and articles here