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
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
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
Employed Regionally
Wage Range & Median 10-County Region
Annual Hires Regionally
Other Regional Career Resources
Learn more about Systems Administrators at O*NET Online.
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