Manage an organization's computer systems, including local area networks (LANs) inside the company, the company interfaces to external wide area networks (WANs) such as telecommunications and cable networks, and other data communication systems within the company. This includes managing who has access to what devices and online information within the company. People in this career control how different computers interact and communicate with each other, preventing people from accessing information they shouldn't.

A Typical Day

  • Install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.
  • Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform necessary maintenance to support network availability.
  • Test Web site performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly and without interruption.
  • Assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. 
 

Recommended Credentials

Bachelor's Degree

Education & Training

Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.

 

Northwest Lower Michigan

 

Northwestern Michigan College
Computer Information Technology

Ferris State University (NMC University Center)
Bachelor of Science Computer Information Systems

Elsewhere in Michigan

 

Davenport University
Bachelor in Computer Information Systems

Explore This Career

Try it before you buy it!

AP Computer Science class

Tour Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center - Information Technology 

Tear apart old electronics
Troubleshoot issues in your home
Ask questions when you have them and look up things online
Get comfortable on the phone

The Local Advantage Learning Pathway

Pathway 1

Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center - Information Technology

Pathway 2

Northwestern Michigan College 

- Computer Information Technology: Infrastructure and Security 

Pathway 3

Take Industry Certification Exam at NMC Aero Park Professional Testing Center 

 

Sample Employers in Our Region

Click the logos below to learn more.

TIP

Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.

 

Sample Job Titles...

  • Network Systems Administrator
  • Computer Systems Administrator
  • Information Analyst
  • Information Systems Manager (IS Manager)
  • Network Administrator
 

Hear It From The Pros

10-Year Job Growth Projections

0%
10-County Region
-2%
Michigan
4%
U.S.

Employed Regionally

90
In 2021 (10-County Region)

Wage Range & Median 10-County Region

$48,800
$73,940 
$101,620

Annual Hires Regionally

10
In 2021

Other Regional Career Resources

Learn more about Systems Administrators at O*NET Online.

Cisco Networking Academy

Sample Career Pathways

Click to download a PDF of this diagram.

Diagram of Paths To and From Other Careers for Systems Administrator