• Comment(s): 25
  • THE monitor flickers relentlessly, the mouse gets whimsical and the CPU makes a strange sound! It’s time to call Mr Fixit, the computer hardware engineer.  Unlike the software field, computer hardware is all about the architecture of the device.

    This includes configuration, troubleshooting and maintenance, assembly and dismantling of the components besides networking architecture and overall security system.

    Entry level
    ; The minimum educational qualification required for a programme in IT/ Hardware engineering depends from course to course. An institution which confers short-term certificate course (of six months) or a diploma (of 12 months) sets the eligibility as 10+2. Opportunities do exist for higher studies in this sector, but are not essential for the first job.

    Course content: This includes understanding computer components, diagnosing problems and troubleshooting them. Fixing, repairing, replacement, upgradation and installation of the device are the major thrusts in learning.

    The students are also trained in leading operating systems like Unix, Windows 2000 and others.  At higher levels, students gain expertise in Local Area Networking and  Wide Area Networking  respectively. With increased instances of security breaches in corporate functioning, now the concepts of security configuration and firewall data also find elaborate mention in the curriculum.

    Job responsibilities: “LAN performance, adding/deleting users, adding servers, creating backup of critical data are some of the task that a fresh engineer is assigned with, “ says Prakash, an engineer working with HCL. In the next stage of job growth, a responsible candidate would be assigned with tackling of advanced TCP/IP, security fundamentals, security implementation and router security to safeguard corporate information.

    The stages of growth, broadly moves from being an engineer to senior engineer and then on to server administrator. “Next stage is off-site or on-site manager/project manager and then a consultant,” says Prakash.

    “We conduct a personal interview to check if the applicants are serious. Creativity and interest are a must ”
    Ravinder Goyal
    Director, IACM
    All companies need IT/hardware engineers. Multinational companies as well as IT companies have in-house employees who are responsible for security and maintenance of the systems. Some large recruiters include Google, Wipro, Tata Consultancy  Services, Citibank, Mercer, Agilent Technologies, General Electric and HCL among scores of others.

    Other requirements: It is widely perceived that an engineer’s job is not in the frontline and therefore communication skill is not significant. However, this notion doesn’t hold much ground in today’s job market. In current context, engineers’ interface with customers is frequent and ever expanding. Therefore, engineers who are proficient in conversing hold a definite edge over their co-workers.

    Ambitious candidates also keep their employability levels high by pacing up with technological advancement. Any other qualification like vendor certificates like Microsoft’s MCSE or Cisco’s CCNA or CCNP or CCIE, or Novel’s CNE or Sun Microsystems’ Sun Solaris Administrator adds to an engineer’s profile. But remember as you move up the scale it is the skill that matters more than the certification.

    Fee versus salary:

    • A diploma holder starts with an average income of Rs 7,000-10, 000.
    • The average fee at established institutes is between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000.
    • Aptech’s Diploma in Hardware & Networking (N-power) programme is priced between Rs. 20,000-40,000 (depending on the city) whereas a 36-month programme of GNIIT is pegged at Rs. 1.5 lakhs.
    • Some institutions provide a value-add; GNIIT for instance, enables students to take admission to Semester 3 or 4 of BSc. (IT) and BSc (ITIM), where degrees are awarded by Kuvempu University, Karnataka. 
    Expert talk: Ravinder Goyal, Director, IACM

    Ravinder Goyal
    It is expected that by 2012, there will be a demand of over 5 million computer professionals, as per a recently concluded IDC-NASSCOM–McKinsey survey.Today, even an organisation having five employees can’t function without networking support.

    A network engineer must be  capable of implementing, administering, maintaining computer Hardware, Networks and overall Security Systems. He or she will be able to manage and troubleshoot computer hardware and LANS, administer and configure different kinds of servers, implement and manage CCTV, Biometric, smart Access Control Systems and RFID devices and maintain access control systems, manage Intruder Alarm and Building Automation and prevent and manage fire through Automatic Alarm Systems and much more.

    After completing the programme a student can work as a Trainee Engineer in the field of Hardware, Networking and Electronic Security at a starting salary of around Rs. 5,000-10,000.

    He can grow as Server Administrator, Network Administrator, Security Manager, Project Manager, Infrastructure Leader and a Technology Consultant. With a starting salary of around Rs 5,000-10,000 at an entry level, a student can reach up to a salary of 12 lakhs per annum in a span of around 8–10 years.
     

      Institutions offering computer courses

    Institution  
    Programme  
    Fees (Rs.)
    Months
    Selection
    Job function
    Recruiters
    GNIIT; option to get degree awarded by Kuvempu University, Karnataka
     150,000
    36
    IT Aptitude Assessment Test; Communication Skills Interview
     Software Engineering, Systems Engineering & Networking and Business Systems & Information Management.  
    Google, Wipro, TCS, Citibank, Mercer, Agilent Technologies, HDFC, HCL
    Diploma in Client Server Computing (.NET), affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
    18,000-25,000  
    12
    Aptitude test & interview
    Web/Enterprise Applications Development
    NIIT also offers diploma in Client Server Computing (Java) and in Management Information System
    Master Connect in Hardware Network and Security  
    52,000
    14
    Personal interview
    Trainee Engineer
    HCL, Wipro,Infosys, Team Computers.
    Diploma in Computer Applications; affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
    18,000-25,000  
    12
    Interview  
    Computer
    Programmer
    All organisations for systems areas

  • Published on: July 07, 2010
  • 25 Comments
  • Durgesh Kumar | Dec 15, 2011

  • Dear All, I have 1 year Work Expirence in Lenovo Service Center as Service Engineer. I have complited hardware & Networking form Jetking in 2009. If any job for me with salary +15k Plz me.because I am unable to find it.
  • ankur paliwal | Nov 29, 2011

  • i am graduated and diploma in computer hardware and networking i am loking for job please help me
  • abdul rahaman | Sep 07, 2011

  • sir i want to do hardware and networking.which is the best institute to study in chennai.and its give best future.and the best international certificate.pls reply me.pls don't cheat me because its my future.now i finish diploma in computer technology
  • rajesh yadav | Aug 11, 2011

  • Hi Sir, Recently i have completed the graduation from the calcuta university . I want to do hardware networking course pls tell me which course in H AND N will be benificial for the future and fro the growth will jetking be the best choice to start with it .
  • mohd.shadab | Jul 08, 2011

  • hi every one who is seeking a institute for hardware and networking course.choose any institute for ur study bt dont select AIESECI.coz its a froud institute. I'm sharing my experiane coz i was the student of this institute...
  • GNIIT Student | May 16, 2011

  • absolutly GNIIT is completly wastage of time and money aswell, dont take it as your career option specially for the beginers, yes u can have but wen u r already working somewhere and wants to get something additional for ur career, but please dnt have as being fresher i know the things regarding this bcz i am facing the big problems...... A GNIIT Student who is regreating for doing GNIIT.
  • Shadab ahmed | May 14, 2011

  • Dear, Sir i doing the hardware and networking ,ccna,mcse ,linux @ sir i want job for harware
  • maksud | May 08, 2011

  • i am maksud; graduction b.sc.it from SRTMUN university,nanded and which courses most scope computer hardware and networking courses. please detail information about courses in pune. contact.9595183709;9890858598.
  • Niranjan kumar | May 04, 2011

  • sir,i have given 12th board this year.what should i do to join aeronitics.
  • Sourabh Pandey | Mar 28, 2011

  • Dear sir i compelet B.C.A 2010 And Now I want to do H/W Course so plz tell me 100% placement collage
  • monika | Mar 21, 2011

  • NIIT se mein (GNIIT) ka cross kar rahi hu plz tell me this institute is join my placement or not
  • Vikramjeet Singh | Feb 10, 2011

  • Hello friends, this is Vikramjeet working in IT infrastructure company as Sr Exe- IT recruitment. Please mail me your resume for job if you are completed your deploma or have exp in hardware/networking. Regards, Vikramjeet Singh bbiodata@gmail.com
  • Manish Kumar | Feb 02, 2011

  • Dear Sir, I have completed B.A.(English) from C.S.J.M. University Kanpur. And I want to do MBA (IT). But i am confused that i can do this course And which university doing this course and other diploma course in IT. Which my career can make bright. Thanks. 9871128873
  • vimal | Dec 11, 2010

  • hoooooooooooo
  • Ali bohari | Dec 09, 2010

  • Gdevng presently i am learning h/w & n/wing from jetking institute. I have completed my graduation in bscit.can u say what starting package wil i get as a fresher in n/wing.
  • kumar | Nov 24, 2010

  • My advice for all guys is that get a degree and an A+ certificate for hardware and finish N+ for networking later take up CCNA from an institute like NIIT or APTECH since they r CISCO certified partners in education once u finish the course u will get a salary of atleast 10 to 12k
  • Prasann kumar | Nov 12, 2010

  • I have joined 'master connect' course in hardware & networking from IACM this year & also pursuing my +2 from open. After comleting the course & of +2 basis,how much salary i would get probably & what should be the best option for me to do by next year. I want to study ROBOTICS in future.
  • aditya sharma | Oct 30, 2010

  • hye if u want a good carrier in it you must opt for gniit... the sylabus is quite advace as compare to mca....... nd there is good oppurtunity for dis///
  • vijay kr vaish | Sep 23, 2010

  • sir i am 12th pass i have completed my hardware and networking from jetking delhi i have work experience in 3-4 year but many company not give good salary offer because i have not do graduation and i have lost my much time in other work ,sir pls advice me what i do in this time for my bright future and i have married in presently, i confused what to do.your advice is very important for my personal and professional life.pls
  • abc | Sep 19, 2010

  • NIIT (GNIIT) is utter nonsense. Don't waste your time or money on GNIIT i know because i was a GNIIT student.
  • Jai Prakash | Aug 22, 2010

  • gud evng i'm pursuing bsc(it) from niit. can i take mca or mba examitation. if yes, which institute is best for me? reply me on my mail
  • Akshay patil | Aug 11, 2010

  • 9421076464
  • Nilesh Sane | Aug 05, 2010

  • Presently i am working as a system administrator in shipping company .Total experience is 11 years . Presently i am getting 3.5 lakhs package .But i want career advice for moving forward in life .Please guide me ( my total experience is of windows platform) qualification: hsc , diploma in computer hardware maintenance - 1year , presently completed microsoft certified technology specialist ( MCTS )
  • S.PADMAVATHY | Aug 05, 2010

  • i want job.i complete diploma in computer engineering in the year of 2010
  • hemali kapoor | Aug 02, 2010

  • related to article for "IT/Hardware" , You can mention DOEACC Hardware course. They offer O level Hardware and A level Hardware courses.
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