Data Communications Planner Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Data Communications Planner

Best Schools to become a Data Communications Planner in U.S. 2024

Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$7,170
Out-of-State Tuition:$21,692
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:8,125

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

In-State Tuition:$17,454
Out-of-State Tuition:$56,941
Admission Rate:18%
Graduation Rate:93%
Total Enrollment:51,225

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA

In-State Tuition:$12,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$31,754
Admission Rate:57%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:38,170

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

In-State Tuition:$9,360
Out-of-State Tuition:$26,568
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:62%
Total Enrollment:24,741

University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

In-State Tuition:$11,496
Out-of-State Tuition:$30,913
Admission Rate:95%
Graduation Rate:69%
Total Enrollment:31,547

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$61,989
Out-of-State Tuition:$61,989
Admission Rate:4%
Graduation Rate:95%
Total Enrollment:34,782
Data Communications Planner Job Description:
  • Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks.
  • Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures.
  • May also design network and computer security measures.
  • May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Data Communications Planner

Job Duties for Data Communications Planners

  • Develop disaster recovery plans.

  • Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.

  • Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.

Technologies and Skills Used by Data Communications Planners

Instant messaging software

  • Blink

Network monitoring software

  • Symantec Intruder Alert
  • Wireshark

Web platform development software

  • Google Angular
  • Spring Framework

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Data Communications Planner

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Data Communications Planner

FAQs About Becoming a Data Communications Planner