Are you good with technology and computers? Are you more comfortable with a keyboard in your hands? If you know your LAN from your WAN and enjoy problem solving, then becoming a Network Administrator could be the perfect career move for you.
The main role of a Network Administrator is to set up, configure and maintain a business's computer network, and as such they have become vital in many industries.
Key duties for a Network Administrator will usually include:
- Planning and installing the appropriate systems
- Setting up user accounts and retrieving lost information such as passwords, e-mail addresses or user names
- Providing support and solving any network problems, regularly backing up or restoring any necessary information
- Monitoring the network efficiency, carrying out any changes needed to improve performance
- Maintaining network security at all times, implementing extra security measures when required
To be successful as a Network Administrator, the most obvious attribute needed is a high level of computer literacy.
You must be technically minded, and up to date with emerging technological advancements. Also, it's essential to have a good knowledge of how computer systems operate.
Other key skills include:
- Excellent communication skills
- Highly developed organisational skills
- Good attention to detail
- The ability to describe technical information simply and efficiently across the business
- Patience
What's it like to be a Network Administrator?
The best thing about being a Network Administrator is that I get to do something I’m genuinely interested in, and get paid for it. Developments in computing move extremely quickly, meaning that the job is constantly changing. There are always new security threats, or ways of improving the network, so you never stop learning. I really enjoy finding out about the latest developments in the computer industry, and introducing them to our systems.
