Ten Reasons to Become a Network Administrator

As Information Technology (IT) has become such an indispensable part of contemporary life, the position of a network administrator has become more and more significant. A network administrator installs, supports, and even designs computer systems for an organization or business. They are in charge of the organization’s Intranet, WANs, Internet, LANs, and network segments. They also make sure that the IT systems run correctly and that everything, from the software programs to the computers, are working. A network administrator must be industrious, skilled in all aspects of computer science, and patient. The possibility to earn a very good salary in this position exists and all types of businesses, from large corporations to the government, hire network administrators making the job outlook a very good one. If you enjoy troubleshooting as far as computers are concerned and like working with area networks then this could be a very good career choice for you. Continue reading to learn ten reasons to become a network administrator and what incentives the field might hold for you.

1. Good job outlook- Employment is anticipated to grow quicker than average for all occupations within the next ten years.

2. A variety of educational backgrounds are accepted- Computer skills are necessary, but individuals can normally enter this profession with many different levels of formal education, from bachelor’s degrees to master’s degrees and even associate degrees in some instances.

3. Comfortable work environment- Network administrators usually work in well-lighted laboratories or offices that are modern and comfortable.

4. The ability to work from home- In some instances, a network administrator can work from home, especially since computer networks are expanding and workers are therefore able to carry out their responsibilities from a remote location.

5. Advancement opportunities- Network administrators can often advance to more senior-level and supervisory positions once they have gained experience within their company.

6. Potential to earn a good salary- The median annual salary for a network administrator was around $65,000 in 2008. Some administrators were able to earn more than $100,000, however, depending on who they worked for and how long they had been with the company.

7. A variety of work environments- Network administrators work in a variety of environments, from small businesses to large corporations and even for the government.

8. You enjoy working with computers- A network administrator has a range of job duties, from installing and maintaining network software and hardware to monitoring networks to make sure that they are working properly. If you enjoy working with computers and troubleshooting then you could do very well at this job.

9. Good benefits- Most companies have good benefits for their network administrators. Benefits can include, but are not limited to: retirement plans, life and health insurance, vacation and sick leave, and paid training.

10. Relevant experience and skill can sometimes be enough- Some companies will accept those who have relevant work experience and demonstrated skills in the field as an alternative to having a strong educational background in computer sciences.