Network Administrator, A Rewarding Career!

Passionate in Computer Networks, then becoming Network Administrator can be a rewarding career! IT is a great place where your computer skills and your technical knowledge will be needed. Computer Systems Design is a field which is very dynamic and changing every day. We do lots of things online on a regular basis- like reading articles on the Internet or checking our account balances online. The main reason why everything happens smoothly is that of the presence of a network administrator behind every computer network. Maybe it is your dream to become one such network administrator and manage your own network. You probably even have the skills needed for the job. However still, the one question which will keep on lingering on your mind is “What exactly is the job of a network administrator?“. Our job here is to give you an answer to that question. We have gathered data from multiple sources in order to give you an idea about the life of a network administrator and about the exact job profile.

Who exactly is a network administrator?

A network administrator is someone who makes sure that the computer networks of an organization is running smoothly and there are no problems. In a big organization, plenty of computers are used simultaneously. Since so many systems are being used at the same time, a networking administrator is needed to coordinate between the various systems. With more and more companies opening each year, the demand for jobs in this field is on the rise. It is a very good time to be a network admin. By 2024, the demand for network admins is set to increase by as much as 8 percent and it is expected to grow further in the future. This profession is also very financially rewarding. The salary generally starts from $47460. In some cases, you can also get a salary which is more than $120000. Another reason why the demand for this profession is increasing is that of the fact that more and more companies are investing in new technologies and mobile networks. The demand is also increasing in the healthcare sector because they are also investing a lot in Information Technology.

What are the responsibilities of a network admin?

The responsibilities of a network administrator will vary from organization to organization. It depends on how large the organization is and how complex the networks are. However, there are some basic roles which every network admin has to perform:

1. One of the main jobs of a network admin is to install the various computer networks.
2. Setup and Configure the computer networks.
3. It is also the responsibility of the network admin to maintain the computer networks and to make sure that the network is upgraded frequently.
4. It is also the job of the network admin to diagnose any problems in the system and to come up with a solution.
5. The network admin is also expected to monitor the networks and to improve the performance.

What are the skills required to be a successful network admin?

The job of a network admin is to mainly look after the technical works like installing the hardware or upgrading the software. However, network admins may also need to communicate with the users of the network. Apart from the technical skills, network admins also require people skills.

These are some of the skills which organizations look for in a network admin:

Analyze: It is the duty of the network admin to think critically. Plenty of problems may arise during the job and that is why critical thinking is of utmost importance. Even if you don’t know the exact solution of the issue, thinking critically will help you to eventually reach there.

Time management: The job of a network admin is extensive. He will have to do a lot of work like maintaining and monitoring the networks, upgrading when needed and diagnosing any problem. Apart from that, he may also have to communicate with the users when needed. Without proper time management skills, it is not possible to do all the work.

Interpersonal Skills: From the network engineers to the end users- network admins have to deal with a lot of people, Because of this, interpersonal skills are very important.

Lifelong learning: This is a very dynamic field with new technologies coming frequently. The job of a network admin is to stay updated with all the latest developments in the field.

Where do network admins work:

If you are a network admin, you won’t be confined to just one specific industry. Network admins are demanded in plenty of industries. You will get many opportunities to switch industries.

These are some of the sectors where the demand for network admins is most:

• Education
• Insurance
• Hospital
• Transportation
• Technical services
• Data Centers
• Banks
• Telecommunication Companies
• Internet and Cable Companies
• Wireless Telecom Providers

You will get plenty of options to choose from.

How is a day in the life of a network admin?

As mentioned earlier, the job of a network admin is extensive. From installing hardware to monitoring and managing the network, there are lots of work. One day the network admin may have to install the networks. Another day may be spent on upgrading the networks. There is nothing called a” typical day” in the life of a network admin. You have to be literally prepared for anything and everything.

Taking the next step

Now that you have got an idea about the scope of this profession and about the job responsibilities of a network admin, you will have to decide whether you want to enter into this field or not. In order to become a network admin, you will have to get some certificates like Comptia A , Comptia Network ,  CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, MCSA. Mostly companies required Microsoft Certifications and Cisco Certifications for their Network Engineers.

Conclusion

Network administration is a very important position in any organization because he is in charge of the entire computer network of the organization. It is also a very challenging job. There is no fixed role as such. You will have to perform lots of functions. The future scope is also very good. And the salary is also very good in this field, The best thing is that your options won’t be limited to just one specific industry. You will get an opportunity to work in various sectors.