A computer systems administrator’s biggest job is to keep an organization’s lines of communications open. On a given day you might have major hardware or software malfunctions to fix; you may have to rewire network cables; you may be pressed to work as fast as possible by frustrated people whose computer systems are paralyzed. None of this is easy or for the faint-hearted. On the other hand, you will be well-paid. Network administrators in 2013 made an average of $74,000, with the top earners bringing in nearly $120,000.
- Other functions of the job include updating software and hardware, maintaining email and data storage, training new users on the system, connecting employee workstations to the network, and sometimes managing telecommunications networks for people working from home or on the road.
- Do research before committing to a career in systems administration. There are many web resources that can give you a good summary, such as US News and World Report or Computer Weekly