The Career Path of a Network Administrator

With excellent employment prospects, network administrators have career path options that encompass a variety of technical and management tracks. Typical network administrator’s tasks include designing, installing and supporting an organization’s computer systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, network administrators have responsibility for network segments, local area networks, wide area networks, and Internet and intranet systems. Whether your career as a network administrator involves working for a large or small company, a nonprofit organization or government offices, your skills are essential to the successful operation of your employer’s business.

Getting Started

Network administrators often begin their careers as computer technicians. They help setup computer systems, participate in connecting computers to servers, and solve user’s computer problems. Moving into a position of network administrator includes helping design networks, ensuring connectivity and troubleshooting operational problems. Network administrators often work more than 40 hours per week, sometimes working evenings and weekends to efficiently monitor and maintain computer system performance.

Depending on the employer, academic preparation for a network administration position includes a bachelor’s degree in a computer field or an associate degree in network administration. Some employers prefer certification for network hardware or software. As systems become more complex, especially with security concerns and the challenges of maintaining mobile access, the desire for a college degree for network administrator positions is increasing.

During the beginning of a network administration career, continuing education on hardware, software, network security and connectivity are essential. These core skills, along with effective communication, support a career path that moves to technical specialization or management. Using the first three to five years of a career as a network administrator allows you to experience a variety of tasks and operating environments. From this breadth of experience, you will be better able to identify personal preferences and build a skill base for your future career.

To ensure that your career in network administration provides many opportunities for advancement, seek to achieve competencies in analyzing and defining network requirements, understanding system architecture and infrastructure in addition to developing proficiency using specific equipment and software. Learn how to configure and optimize network performance and ensure secure network operations.

Technical Track Career

Choosing a technical track career in network administration requires either becoming an expert on specific hardware, software and network solutions, or a generalist with knowledge of many platforms and network solutions. While a generalist often supports designing networks and recommending appropriate hardware and software, a specialist solves difficult, challenging problems occurring in a system’s operations.

Both technical track options require continuing education and certification offered by vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle or college classes. With experience and training, a network administrator’s technical career should progress to working on larger or more complex systems, and may include supervising and training network technicians. Cisco Systems, a leading vendor of Internet systems, suggests that a technical career path in network administration moves through five levels, including entry, associate, professional, expert and architect. Within each performance level, a network administrator can specialize in design, installation or troubleshooting for routing and switching, network security or service systems.

Management Career

If your career objectives lean toward network administration management rather than technical tasks, you still need to develop core proficiencies in the technical aspects of the job during the first few years of employment. However, after training and three to five years of progressively more responsible technical experience, look for opportunities to manage small network projects or network support teams.

On a management track, training needs expand to include leadership, planning, supervision and quality control. Almost all network administrator management positions require proficiency with costing and budgeting. Managers should enjoy working with people and develop skills in communication, feedback and mentoring. Managers also need to be able to interface effectively with non-technical people within and outside the organization. Beginning your management career on small projects gives you the opportunity to practice these skills.

After proving your management skills on small projects, a management career in network administration involves managing larger projects with greater responsibility for staff, budget and meeting strategic organizational goals. Multiple management layers for upward career mobility in network administration management usually occur only in large organizations or those dedicated to consulting on network solutions.

Extending your career path to senior management may necessitate moving out of network administration exclusively and gaining experience in data management, system engineering or architecture. To improve opportunities for a management career that leads to positions such as Chief Technical Officer or Chief Information Officer, a Masters in Business Administration or Engineering Management may be required.