Top Network Administrator Schools
- Strayer University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
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Network Administrator Job Description
Are you ready to go back to college for the necessary career training to start a brand new life? Are you tired of struggling to make ends meet on a salary that will never be enough? Are you good with computers and technology? If you answered yes to these questions, you are perfect for a career as a network administrator. The network administrator job description can vary from one employer to another, but it typically includes configuring, maintaining, deploying, and monitoring active network equipment for a business or organization. The technological advances over the past several years have created a tremendous demand for network administrators. If you are ready to get your degree and start working in one of the world’s top careers, network administration is waiting for you.
Network Administrator Education
Some individuals have been able to enter the field of network administrator through on-the-job training but most employers require that applicants have a degree in network administration. A bachelor’s degree will suffice for many of these positions, but the higher your degree, the more opportunities you will have. Many traditional and online colleges offer appropriate degrees for individuals interested in becoming network administrators. Depending on the school, the program may include majors in information science, network administration, management information systems, and computer science. Any of these will prepare you to fulfill the duties of the network administrator job description.
After you finish your education program, you can further your chances of landing your dream job by attaining one or more certifications. Numerous certification programs involve general network systems and others that are mover vendor-specific. Some of these include vendors such as Sun Microsystems, Cisco, or Microsoft. You may also use specialty certification courses to stay up-to-date on the latest networking advances. You can find preparation courses throughout the country and that last from a few weeks to several months.
Network Administrator Job Description
The network administrator job description can vary from one employer to the next, but it typically includes providing support for local area networks, wide area networks, Internet, intranet, and network segment systems. In very large organizations or business, network administrators may be responsible for the overall stability and security of the entire network.
The job description also entails working as a mid- to senior-level member of an organization’s technical staff. You will maintain the overall health of the network, deploy servers, ensure connectivity, and provide security. Network administrators deal with issues that help desk personnel or network technicians cannot resolve.
Network administrators perform a variety of different functions, often depending on the size and type of organization for which they work. Typical network administrators may be responsible for configuring and managing a network, troubleshooting, documenting, and fixing network problems, and implementing, configuring, and optimizing network security. They may also work to install and support employee technology, install, maintain, and configure routers, switches, and other hardware, and to install and manage network software. Additional responsibilities include maintaining and monitoring internal and external security threats and maintaining an emergency backup system for critical servers.
About the Career
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for network administrators will grow by around 23% between 2012 and 2018. When you get the training to meet the demands of the network administrator job description, you are place yourself in a prime position to enter this growing field. People who fill the job description also enjoy a financial rewarding career. Network administrators earn an average annual salary of $67,000, but they can easily bring in well over $100,000 a year, plus benefits. Most network administrators enjoy retirement funds, sick leave, vacation pay, health, dental, and vision insurance. These benefits can be valued in the thousands of dollars each year.
If you are ready to make a career change and improve the quality of your life, now is the ideal time to go back to school and get your degree in network administration. The network administrator job description is challenging and it provides those who choose it with lucrative financial rewards. Find your place among these knowledgeable professionals and enjoy the life of your dreams.
