network administrator

What does a network administrator do? Once you get started, your job responsibilities may include:

• discussing the company's needs with colleagues and stakeholders
• designing and installing systems
• evaluating the existing system's efficiency
• repairing security holes
• backing up data with cloud technology
• upgrading the network

You don't just maintain the existing system: you make it better. You adjust the network to make it faster, safer and more efficient while remaining user-friendly. When new technology rolls out, you decide whether to integrate it into the system. Software upgrades can be pricey, so you'll use your expertise to decide whether to take the leap.

Network administrators also educate people. You'll give colleagues advice about maintaining cybersecurity, such as never sharing passwords and avoiding phishing scams. When someone has a question, you'll explain it in a way that they can understand. Periodically, you'll train new employees to operate the network safely and efficiently.

Preventing hacks, scams and data breaches is one of your most important roles. You're always one step ahead of hackers and their rapidly changing tactics. After installing firewalls and anti-virus software, you monitor the network and repair issues, protecting the network from attacks. Likewise, you only add trustworthy network users and remove suspicious characters.

You're familiar with various technologies, programming languages, operating systems, servers, software and network equipment, such as modems and routers. Networks you operate may include:

• local area networks (LANs)
• wide area networks (WANs)
• storage area networks (SANs)
• virtual private networks (VPNs)

Network administrators usually work indoors in an office environment. However, your location varies depending on your industry. You could work in a bank, warehouse, or scientific facility, each with a different layout.

Throughout the day, you'll likely visit different areas in your facility and possibly travel to other locations. While you work online, you'll also deal with hardware, modems and routers that require you to work in the office. Network administrators typically work in person, but you can ask your boss about work-from-home options.

You might work with fellow technology experts, including system administrators, network designers and telecommunications specialists. Colleagues also include network engineers, information technology consultants and network managers. If you work for a large company, they may employ multiple network administrators. Companies often call IT experts for troubleshooting. Your colleagues also depend on your location. For example, if you work for a bank, you'll interact with office workers, bankers and finance professionals. Many jobs have human resources and payroll managers.

Some network administrators work 9 to 5 jobs with 40 hours a week, but your employer might schedule you for early morning, afternoon or night shifts. Some companies need 24-hour monitoring to keep large systems active, requiring some people to work on weekends and holidays.

If an emergency happens when you're not at work, expect your employer to contact you for assistance. Sometimes, you can answer questions over the phone, but you might have to head to work at odd hours. Hourly employees usually receive overtime pay, but salaried employees are sometimes exempt.

Most network administrators hold full-time positions. However, you could start with a part-time position in a different role and gradually achieve a full-time job. If you work hard, you could work for the same company for years. Still, some network administrators move to different companies for better schedules or benefits.

Network administrators have a positive job outlook. If you do well, you could advance to a senior position or supervise your team. Supervisors earn higher titles that usually come with pay raises. Plus, you could seek higher jobs within the company and eventually become one of the most prestigious employees.

Once you've accumulated years of experience, you can negotiate for higher salaries. You'll highlight the fact that you can work with old, modern and advanced technology to meet the company's needs.

Some network administrators learn that they have a talent for a specific task. If you want to switch positions, you could seek a job as a:

• cloud engineer
• Ruby developer
• cyber security engineer
• data warehouse developer
• security analyst

Seeking education or a mentorship helps you prepare for your new role.

Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Your job involves extensive Internet use, but you'll also work with physical hardware, such as modems, computers and routers. Network coordinators also work alongside team members and communicate face-to-face with colleagues. For this reason, you might not be able to work from home, but your boss may permit this under special circumstances.

To become a network manager, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree in computer science. Many specialize with a master's degree in computer networking or a certification in computer networking. Although certification requirements vary from company to company, it's not uncommon to need certifications for Microsoft software, Cisco or Sun microsystems.

Network administrators aren't IT workers, but you offer troubleshooting and technical support for your company's system. In fact, many network administrators start off as IT professionals and then move to advanced fields with higher-paying employers. You may work alongside IT workers when issues arise.

Small businesses and large corporations alike need network administrators, opening the door to partnerships with major players. You could work for machinery manufacturers, software development companies and financial institutions that make millions of dollars per year. High-paying jobs often come with other perks, such as free meals and paid commutes.

Some companies hire one network administrator, while others need a team to maintain the system 24/7. In any case, you'll work with other technical experts as well as people who work in different parts of the company, such as human resources (HR). You could advance to a supervisor position and manage other network administrators.

Finding a job near you as a network administrator is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.