Do the inner-workings of a motherboard fascinate you? Are friends and family always calling you to solve their computer and Internet problems? Are you looking for an occupation on the fast track? Then a job as a system administrator may be for you. Better still, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects system administrators to be among the fastest growing occupations between 2002-2012.
The best part is, there are many ways to break into the field. Finding a job will come easiest to those with a college degree, and certification and practical experience are a must for those without a degree or those who are currently pursuing one. Many different types of programs are available to suit your needs -- you can get your master's degree online, or earn a certificate part time after work or class.
As a system administrator, you can work for almost any business, organization, or government facility designing, installing, and supporting a network and Internet or intranet system. Responsibilities of a system administrator include maintaining a network and computer hardware and software, providing support for users, and analyzing system problems. System administrators also troubleshoot problems reported by users and automated monitoring systems, as well as make recommendations for improvements that can be made to enhance the productivity of servers and networks. People skills are a must in this occupation, as you will need to gather information from others to identify the root of computer or network problems. System administrators may also be responsible for planning and implementing computer network security.
Sounds great, right? It gets better: According to the BLS, the average annual income of system administrators was $54,810 in 2002, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $86,440.
|
