Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Install and maintain computer network systems for businesses.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Data not available
Read more about wages
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Outlook: |
Data not available
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Education: |
Bachelor's degree
is typically required.
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On the Job: |
Typical Work Tasks
- Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
- Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
- Install computer hardware.
- Resolve computer network problems.
Read more about the job
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Job Title Examples: |
Network Administrator
Network Engineer
Systems Administrator
See more job title examples
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View All Career Information
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Wages & Outlook
Typical Wages
Data not available
Employment
Where do Network and Computer Systems Administrators most often work?
Current Demand
No data available.
Future Demand
No data available.
On the Job
Network and Computer Systems Administrators install and support organizations' local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems. They make sure the system is available to all users, and focus mainly on administering the network, rather than designing it. They may also create security measures.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
- Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
- Install computer hardware.
- Resolve computer network problems.
- Resolve computer software problems.
- Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
- Identify information technology project resource requirements.
- Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
- Collect data about customer needs.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Typical Working Conditions
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Using e-mail.
- Sitting.
- Working with a group or team.
- The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Education & Credentials
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree
Education level attained (national data)
Education Level Attained (national data)Education Level Attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation |
Less than high school diploma | 0.5 |
High school diploma or equivalent | 6.9 |
Some college, no degree | 21.3 |
Associate degree | 15.2 |
Bachelors degree | 41.4 |
Masters degree | 13.1 |
Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree | 1.6 |
Work Experience and Training Requirements
Nationally, this career typically requires:
- No related work experience for entry.
- Little or no on-the-job training to become competent.
Current Training Opportunities
Related Programs
Majors
Click on any of the Majors listed below to find out more about preparing for this
career.
Transfer Options
Enrolling in a community college can be a great place to start your four-year degree. While all 31 Minnesota State community colleges,
technical colleges and universities offer all or part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
(a 40-credit package of general education courses accepted for transfer to other state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota,
and some private colleges and universities), not all two-year colleges offer degrees intended to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree.
If you plan to transfer to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree, it is important to know which degree path is right for you:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees offered at community colleges are designed to transfer into liberal arts four-year majors.
- Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees offered at community and technical colleges transfer into specific four-year majors and will likely require completing additional general education courses at a university.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees offered at technical and community colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
- Diplomas and certificates offered at technical colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
Talk to a transfer specialist as early as possible to determine the best associate degree for your goals. Be sure to review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) each semester to best prepare for transfer. Get more help understanding transfer using the tools below.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Algebra I and II
- Analytic Geometry
- Electronics
- Graphic Arts
- Journalism
- Keyboarding
- Multimedia
- Network Systems
- Pre-Calculus
- Technical Writing
- Trigonometry
- Web Page Design
In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area.
A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career
and college path. A Program of Study can help you:
- Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
- Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
- Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
- See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
- Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Skills & Knowledge
Most Important Skills for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Evaluating a System or Organization—Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Troubleshooting—Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Programming Computers —Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Telecommunications—Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Investigative—Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.
Describe Your Skills
People who have worked in this career typically perform the following tasks.
These statements can help a prospective employer understand what you can do, on a resume or during an interview.
- Using computers.
- Making decisions or solving problems.
- Keeping up-to-date with new knowledge.
- Collecting information from different sources.
- Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work.
- Identifying information by categorizing, comparing, or detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Compiling, calculating, tabulating, or otherwise processing information.
- Repairing and maintaining electronic equipment.
Careers that Use Similar Skills
The following careers use skills, knowledge, and abilities that are similar to those used for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
View more careers in the Information Technology cluster
View more careers in the Network Systems pathway
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
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Jobs
Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron
Job Title Examples
Network Administrator,
Network Engineer,
Systems Administrator,
Information Technology Director (IT Director),
Information Technology Manager (IT Manager),
Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist),
Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator),
Network Manager,
Network Specialist,
Systems Engineer
Where Do Network and Computer Systems Administrators Work?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators often work in the following industries.
Similar Careers
Below are careers that use skill sets that are similar to Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.