Network Engineer vs. Network Automation Engineer

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The networking industry stands at a crossroads where traditional command-line mastery meets modern automation requirements. Few professionals embody this intersection better than Muna Chimso, a Network Automation Engineer at Google who joins us to share his remarkable journey and insights.

Muna's story begins in Nigeria, where fixing his mother's phone sparked an early interest in technology. After moving to the United States in 2018 to study Computer Networking and IT, he made a critical observation that would shape his career path: while he loved networking fundamentals, the job market increasingly demanded coding skills even for networking positions. Rather than choosing between his passion for networking and the industry's direction toward software, Muna embraced both, building a rare and valuable skill set that combines deep networking knowledge with programming expertise.

What makes Muna's perspective particularly valuable is his unique vantage point as a young professional who entered the field with fresh eyes. He shares how Google's Network Residency Program brings new graduates into the networking world, addressing the challenge of attracting young talent to a field often overshadowed by pure software engineering roles. We explore the evolving relationship between network engineers and developers, with fascinating insights into how companies are bridging this gap, from pairing traditional engineers with developers to incentivizing networking professionals to learn coding through bonuses and recognition programs.

The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn when Muna suggests that the future of network engineering isn't about memorizing commands but understanding complex systems at scale. "You won't need to type a BGP command anymore," he notes, highlighting how the value of network professionals is shifting from configuration expertise to systems thinking and problem-solving abilities. While automation and AI handle increasingly complex tasks, the human element remains irreplaceable for understanding business problems and designing appropriate solutions.

Whether you're a seasoned network veteran considering how to evolve your skills, a student wondering which path to pursue, or a technology leader building teams for the future, this episode offers invaluable insights into the convergence of networking and software development. Subscribe now and join our community at linktree.com/artofneteng to continue the conversation!

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