Network Administrator Career

Network Administrators are vital to the success of any professional organization.They provide and maintain the infrastructure necessary for companies to maintain internal (LAN) and external (WAN) communication as well as keep information stored and secure.Network administrators tailor a company?s infrastructure to its size and needs, setting up and monitoring the necessary hardware and software.They are responsible for ensuring that their organization experiences as much "up time" as possible and that they are protected from serious security threats.

Administrators configure a computer network, maintain and secure the computer files and backup storage, set up company e-mail systems, provide security and firewalls, and take care of any problems quickly and efficiently.Network administrators must balance an intricate knowledge of computer software and programming with an ability to communicate to co-workers in a simple, efficient manner.Employers are looking for network administrators with business skills as well.It is important to their jobs that they can effectively communicate with non-technical colleagues.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are endless.Network administrators can work for small, independent companies as the sole administrator, or as part of a large team responsible for a specific area of troubleshooting or maintenance in a large corporation.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Network Administrators is expected to increase faster than average through 2014.Network administrators can maintain a wide knowledge of overall administration, or specialize in areas such as computer security or customer support.The BLS pegged the median salary of network administrators at $58,190 in May 2004.Moving forward it is safe to assume that salary levels will continue to increase, especially for those administrators with advanced education.Network administrators that pursue higher education are better prepared to compete in the job market and insulate themselves against the trend toward outsourcing more routine tasks.

Career Outlook/Job Requirements

A minimum of an Associate?s degree is highly recommended for Network Administration professionals, but not required.For maximum advancement opportunities, persons should complete an accredited Bachelor?s degree.It is important in this career that Network Administrators continue to educate themselves on new and emerging technologies through certification classes and advanced training.A successful network administrator must be able to work under deadlines and pressure while maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of necessary technology and software.Course work that is offered by hardware and software manufacturers as well as industry certifications is important to staying current with technologies in this field.

network administrator job description | network administrator careers | become a network administrator | network administrator information | network administrator requirements | network administrator job description | network administrator training | network administrator qualifications | network administrator salaries | network administrator degree