Hardware, networking lucrative career options

A hardware pro with 2-3 years' experience can earn as much as Rs 10 lakh per annum.

Computer hardware, networking and security courses are finding an increasing number of takers from the student community.

Institutes that conduct courses in computer hardware teach how to assemble computers besides explaining what task each component "" like processors, motherboards, random access memory, etc. "" performs to keep the computer ticking.

Networking courses, on the other hand, teach how to connect two or more computers with a view to sharing information and data.

The salaries are not too bad either. A hardware professional can expect a starting salary of around Rs 2 lakh a year, which could go up to Rs 10 lakh per annum once he has two to three years of experience, depending on his capability.

According to Manoj Singhania, senior GM, Aptech computer education, the hardware and networking industry is an attractive career option for those with a flair for technology.

A study by MAIT (Manufacturers' Association of Information Technology) forecasts that manpower requirement in the hardware and networking industry would go up to two million in 2008, from a couple of thousands right now.

According to R Krishnan, executive director, Aptech, institutes train students in hardware and networking platform in areas like the hardware basics, networking skills, server management and security aspect of the IT infrastructure.

So, while a student can find jobs in hardcore IT companies like Dell or Microsoft, he can also be employed by industries like manufacturing, BPO, retail, media, animation and entertainment. Arul Moorthy, managing director of Digital Magic, a Chennai-based digital video and film production house, agrees.

He says, "While recruiting a fresher, I would prefer a student who has done some course in hardware and networking instead of a plain graduate simply because a course like this provides some industry exposure and working knowledge."

"We are in desperate need of professional animators and technicians to manage all technical projects. So, we have decided to train more than 1,000 students at our training centres this year," adds Moorthy.

Over the last two years, Digital Magic's two training centres at Chennai have trained 150 students out of which 20 per cent were offered jobs at Digital Magic itself, while others bagged jobs in television channels and other studios. Course fees for hardware and networking courses range from Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000 for 6 months to 1 year depending on the subject chosen.

According to an official at CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association), "All companies today are dependent on IT for growth, irrespective of the industry, and it is these hardware and networking professionals who service them. Moreover, looking at the kind of demand for outsourced IT work in India, there would be no dearth of jobs for youngsters taking up courses in hardware and networking."