Top Network Administrator Schools
- Strayer University Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
- Rasmussen College Click for Recommended Degree Program
- AIU Online Click for Recommended Degree Program
Network Administrator Job Description
As businesses grow they have to ensure that all of their information is easily accessible to each of their employees. This is done through the use of a network that links all of their computers to a central database or server. Part of a network administrator job description, or the vast majority of it, includes ensuring that this network is always up and accessible to employees. The information shared in the network can vary from training videos and presentations to client information and financials for the company. All of it is tied to the productivity and bottom line of the company, so you can imagine that a network administrator is a key part to ensuring that a business is running as effectively as possible.
Daily Duties of a Network Administrator
Once you graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in network administration, you will start your job hunt and find a list of duties that are required in the position. These can include establishing network specifications by working with users, analyzing workflow, ensuring access to information is working, and making sure that the router administration and protocols are up to date.
You will also maintain performance by monitoring and analyzing the network and perform tuning, troubleshooting and escalations as needed. You will also need to conduct training programs and provide references and support to users as they learn more about using the network. When the time for an upgrade comes, you will be in charge of working with vendors to ensure the development and implementation is as trouble free as possible.
You will also be on a budget and will be in charge of monitoring expenses and ensuring that the networking department stays within that budget. Protection of confidential information is paramount and you will need to ensure that the network is secure from outside invaders. Finally, you will want to explore new avenues to make better use of the network and streamline the processes to help increase productivity.
All of these duties require a great deal of knowledge and experience and you will be well compensated for them. The average income of a network administrator is somewhere around $75,000 a year, based on experience, employer, position, location and specializations. Finding a way to start gaining experience while you are working your way through college will give you a leg up on your peers, so try to find entry level positions within your company so you can earn experience while you earn your degree. The two biggest factors in your early career success will come from experience and education, so make sure they are your main focus for now.
Education and Experience
Education is not a replacement for experience. The two go hand in hand and you need to ensure that you are focusing on both as early as possible. The issue is often finding the time to earn a degree while working. College schedules are static and difficult to work around, but earning your degree online will give you the ability to attend college on any schedule and reduce the impact on your personal and work schedules.
Online degree programs work much like a traditional campus based education, but instead of attending classes at a set time, you decide each day when you will work on your assignments. You will have due dates for graded work and tests or quizzes, but the studying, viewing and reviewing lectures and notes and other learning exercises are done on your time. Morning, day, or night, your classroom is always open and you can get there with just a few clicks on your computer. Take advantage of this ability to learn on your own and get started on your career today.
