The Job of a System Administrator - What does a System Admin do?
These days most companies can't function without their system administrator. The reason for this is that they are so heavily dependent on their computer network. Obviously that means there needs to be somebody to maintain that network and this is what the system administrator does. It has quickly become one of the most important jobs at virtually any company.
The primary job of a system administrator is to design and build the computer network that the company uses. This can be quite a complicated job since these networks can really get quite complicated. The system admin is a bit unique in the sense that they are the ones who design the system but they are also the ones who physically put it together as well. This is a job that really never ends since most computer networks are constantly being upgraded so this part of the job keeps them pretty busy.
The other major task of a system administrator is to fix problems with the network. Something as complicated as a computer network is bound to have glitches from time to time. Since most companies depend on their computer network getting these fixed quickly is critical. In many cases it will turn out that the problem is not actually with the network but with the people using it. In these cases the system administrator is likely going to get called by somebody looking for you to fix their problem and they end up having to teach somebody how to use the computer properly.
In some cases the system administrator will also be responsible for the security of the network. This is becoming less common, at least with larger companies as they have recognized the value of having a security specialist. However at thousands of smaller companies the system admin is the one who is responsible for security. Given how complicated network security has become in recent years this can actually become a major part of the job as the system admin will need to stay on top of all the new developments in the field.
You would think that with all of the responsibilities that a system administrator has they would need to be very well educated, this is not necessarily the case. It used to be that all system administrators were self taught just because there was nowhere else for them to learn the required skills. This isn't really the case anymore as there are now plenty of degree programs available. It is still possible to break into the field without a degree but for the good of your career it would be best if you picked up a degree in computer science or information systems. There are also a number of certifications available from both the hardware and software vendors, these can also be useful for the system administrator.
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