Network Administration: A Career For The Problem-Solving Hero!

Network administration is a career field which offers a tremendous amount of versatility: where you work, who you work with and/or for, and the types of things your job will require you to do. You get to be somewhat physical, creative, and can use your superb problem solving skills to be a hero on a daily basis. Network administrators have skills and insider know-how that most people don’t: how to design, run, and repair computer networks. From helping companies decide what they need and/or how to optimize what they have, to training users and repairing system glitches, your skills will always be in high demand. As if that weren’t enough to entice you, career opportunities in the field of networking administration are projected to increase by 28% by the year 2020.

But before you tie on your superhero cape and fly into the network matrix, here are some top 5 reasons to consider a career in networking administration.

Top 5 Reasons To Consider A Career In Networking Administration

1. Utilize Mind And Matter. A career in networking administration incorporates the best of both the intellectual and physical worlds. Network administrators are responsible for setting up company networks – including the actual mechanics of installing computers, servers, modems, and all of the physical aspects of small to large scale computer networking. Additionally, they may be called upon to navigate the more intellectual aspects of computer systems such as user training, maintaining system security, and analyzing and/or problem solving any issues that arise for the network users.
2. Versatile Work Environments. Because computers are everywhere, network administrators are in high demand. Many students have a tough time choosing what they want to do. Maybe you want to work with computers but you have also thought about a career in education. Or, maybe you like the idea of the health and retirement benefits that are associated with a government job, but can’t think of a position that interests you. Network administrators are needed for every branch of the professional arena, from schools to law firms and from municipalities to airports. You can take your networking administration degree and let it open doors for you in whatever niche appeals to you.
3. A Salary To Smile About. Another one of the top 5 reasons to consider a career in networking administration would have to be the salary.  While money should never be a primary motivating factor, its importance can’t be underestimated. If you are like most college graduates – especially those who returned to school later in life – you have loan debts, car payments, and mortgage payments to make. The median income for networking administrators in 2010 was $69,160, more than twice the median income total for all other occupations.
4. You Get To Play With Toys. If you are into technology, then you are into technological toys…er, we mean technological gadgets. Part of your job is to stay abreast of the latest and greatest that technology has to offer in order to keep your clients’ systems working efficiently and profitably. That means you have to learn about and test (play) with any new gadget (toy) which could potentially benefit your client(s). For example, mobile applications instantly changed how businesses operate. The network administrators with vision helped their clients make the transition as quickly as possible, giving them the business edge. If you don’t keep up, your job performance will suffer.
5. Perpetual Education. If you love to learn, this is a great field for you. You never get to stop learning when you work in the realm of IT. As mentioned in #4, technology is in perpetual motion and you have to stay on the train if you want to make it to the next station. Once you have completed a degree in networking administration, you will want to continue your education via seminars, online classes, and trade shows. Updating your IT certifications will be key to keeping your resume updated, maintaining your competitive edge, and ensuring that up and coming graduates aren’t able to vie for your professional position.

These top 5 reasons to consider a career in networking administration can all be summed up in one idea; a career in networking administration delivers job satisfaction on every professional level – the personal, interpersonal, academic, intellectual, and physical. It provides the perfect opportunity for you to combine your people skills, as well as your tech-savvy side, to help others do their jobs better.

Why are you pursuing an education in networking administration? If you already work in the industry, is there any advice you would offer to upcoming network administrators?