| If you're looking for a fast-paced career that combines | | | | become paralyzed. A network systems administrator |
| technology with creativity, check out the field of | | | | is the person who can, and must, resolve these |
| computer network, systems, and database | | | | network issues. It's an important position. |
| administration. This dynamic career path reflects the | | | | Education and training are key. A bachelor's degree is |
| increasing number of computer networks in business | | | | required for many network and computer systems |
| today. | | | | administrator positions. In addition, many employers will |
| In the workplace, computers and computer networks | | | | demand that applicants have specialized computer |
| have become an integral part of everyday life. Nearly | | | | network training of the type that may be offered by a |
| everyone who works in an office has a computer, and | | | | career college. The best way to explore your career |
| big companies may have thousands of workstations, | | | | training opportunities is to log onto a reputable online |
| each with a computer terminal. These computers don't | | | | college directory and compare computer training |
| just sit on desks like little islands; they need to be linked | | | | programs. Choose the ones that are right for you and |
| together into one seamless operating system. The | | | | request free information from the schools. This will |
| ways that computers are linked together include | | | | allow you to make the best choice for your career |
| local-area networks (LAN), wide-area networks | | | | education. |
| (WAN), network segments, and Internet and intranet | | | | Here are some of the program areas that are key to |
| systems. Networks can be very complex, and creating | | | | this career field: |
| a network of computers is a task that must be | | | | Computers and electronics - Knowledge of circuit |
| performed by highly qualified personnel. | | | | boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and |
| Network and computer systems administrators design, | | | | computer hardware and software, including |
| install, and support an organization's computer network | | | | applications and programming. |
| systems. Network and computer systems | | | | English language - Knowledge of the structure and |
| administrators work in a wide variety of organizations | | | | content of the English language including the meaning |
| including professional offices, government organizations, | | | | and spelling of words, rules of composition, and |
| small businesses, and large corporations. They analyze | | | | grammar. |
| problems, maintain a company's network hardware | | | | Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, |
| and software, and monitor networks to ensure their | | | | geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| functionality. Administrators may plan, coordinate, and | | | | Administration and management - Knowledge of |
| implement network security measures, and they may | | | | business and management principles involved in |
| gather data to identify customer needs and then use | | | | strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources |
| the information to identify, interpret, and evaluate | | | | modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and |
| system and network requirements. | | | | coordination of people and resources. |
| Systems administrators ensure that the design of an | | | | The career outlook is excellent. According to the U.S. |
| organization's computer system allows all of the | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in the current decade |
| components, including the network, the computers, and | | | | from 2008 to 2018 employment of computer network, |
| software, to work properly together. They are often | | | | systems, and database administrators is expected to |
| responsible for maintaining the network's efficiency, | | | | increase by 30 percent, which is much faster than the |
| and they monitor and adjust the network's | | | | average for all occupations. Demand for computer |
| performance. They continually survey the current | | | | network administrators is expected to increase as |
| computer system to determine future network needs, | | | | companies continue to invest in new technologies. |
| troubleshoot problems reported by users and by | | | | Compensation can be generous. According to the BLS, |
| automated network monitoring systems, and make | | | | as of May of 2006, the median annual earnings of |
| recommendations for future system upgrades. | | | | wage-and-salary network and computer systems |
| When the computers in the sales office crash, or | | | | administrators was $62,130. Not bad! |
| when the finance people can't access their networked | | | | If you're looking for a challenging and rewarding career, |
| spreadsheets, or when the warehouse cannot access | | | | check out computer network systems career training. |
| the intranet to track a shipment, the company can | | | | It may open a new door to a bright future. |