Stepping Into a Career in Network and System Administration

Are you planning to develop a career in Network and system administration? These are certainly quite sought after positions in today’s professional world. However, you should not take the plunge before doing some good research about the field, no matter how lucrative the offers may seem. Positions for network and system administration are highly sought after, and you should expect stiff competition. However, a solid educational background and good knowledge about technological advancements in the field should see you through. Here are some pointers on how you can prepare yourself from an early stage.

Step – 1: Get proper education

First off, get proper education in the field, along with good knowledge in the advancement of related technologies. Getting a four-year college degree will be a great way to start your preparation. It is even better if the degree is in one of the fields among computer science, information systems, or communications science. Augment your skills even further by getting some online certifications in the field you wish to specialize in.

Choose a platform for your certifications. It may be Microsoft technologies, UNIX/ Linux, or even Novell Netware. Alternatively, you can go for hardcore networking and opt for a certification in Cisco technologies, such as, CCNA or CCNP. However, make sure you gain substantial knowledge in whichever field you select. Employers prefer candidates who show prowess in more than one technological field. If you have specialized in Microsoft technologies, for instance, do not ignore Linux administration altogether. Even a basic level knowledge in the field may earn you an additional brownie point.

Step – 2: Gain some experience

No matter how well educated you are, nothing can replace good old hands-on work experience. Fresher candidates may find themselves in a paradoxical situation here, finding that no employer is interested in hiring inexperienced candidates, whereas not getting hired means there is no way of gaining any experience. If you find yourself in this situation, do not worry. In network and system administration, a lot of seemingly insignificant jobs may get counted as job experience. Many colleges and universities offer work-study programs. These can be good places to start. Otherwise you can look for part time jobs to complement your educational background. Even if you manage the network of your local library for 3 months, it may be counted as work experience. So don’t worry even if the job seems to be insignificant. You never know what the employer may recognize as job experience.

Step – 3: Work on communication skills

You will have to explain what experience you have gathered from part time jobs and internships, and how that will benefit the employer’s organization, at the time of interview. So, having excellent oral and written communication skills is a necessity. Another good tactic is to face loads of interviews, even if you are not interested in the positions. This will prepare you for facing tricky questions and coming up with appropriate answers based on spur-of-the-moment ideas. This is an invaluable skill that none can teach you.

Network and system administration is a vast career field, and simply carrying around loads of certificates is not enough for getting a lucrative job offer. You must be willing to work hard on getting properly educated, and gaining some good hands-on experience. Only a combination of these two can get you past that crucial interview stage.

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