What are the job roles and responsibilities of an Network Administrator?

Network administrators are responsible for maintaining computer networks and solving any problems that may occur with them.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• installing and configuring computer networks and systems

• identifying and solving any problems that arise with computer networks and systems

• consulting with clients to specify system requirements and design solutions

• budgeting for equipment and assembly costs

• assembling new systems

• maintaining existing software and hardware and upgrading any that have become obsolete

• monitoring computer networks and systems to identify how performance can be improved

• working with IT support personnel

• providing network administration and support

Typical employers of network administrators

• software developers

• the government

• the finance industry

• manufacturers

• retailers

• utilities companies

• schools

• universities

• hospitals

• publishers 

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into this career for both graduates and school leavers.

There are a few opportunities to work in network administrator roles with any degree background (ie a non-technical degree); however, this is unusual. Most network admininstrator jobs advertised ask for a computer science, software engineering or electronic engineering degree.

Network administrators need to understand how to connect devices to form a fast and efficient network. Therefore it helps if graduates have experience of running networks on specific network operating systems, perhaps in a school, a university or in a company's IT department. You can also apply for industrial placements and summer internships.

For school leavers, taking a short course in networking or network design (such as those run by Cisco) can be helpful but may not be a requirement of all school leaver employers. 

Once in the job, most network administrators will study for professional qualifications.

Key skills for network administrators

• Patience

• IT and technical skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Enthusiasm

• Teamworking skills

• Initiative

• Attention to detail

Network administrators are responsible for maintaining computer networks and solving any problems that may occur with them.

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• installing and configuring computer networks and systems

• identifying and solving any problems that arise with computer networks and systems

• consulting with clients to specify system requirements and design solutions

• budgeting for equipment and assembly costs

• assembling new systems

• maintaining existing software and hardware and upgrading any that have become obsolete

• monitoring computer networks and systems to identify how performance can be improved

• working with IT support personnel

• providing network administration and support

Typical employers of network administrators

• software developers

• the government

• the finance industry

• manufacturers

• retailers

• utilities companies

• schools

• universities

• hospitals

• publishers 

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into this career for both graduates and school leavers.

There are a few opportunities to work in network administrator roles with any degree background (ie a non-technical degree); however, this is unusual. Most network admininstrator jobs advertised ask for a computer science, software engineering or electronic engineering degree.

Network administrators need to understand how to connect devices to form a fast and efficient network. Therefore it helps if graduates have experience of running networks on specific network operating systems, perhaps in a school, a university or in a company's IT department. You can also apply for industrial placements and summer internships.

For school leavers, taking a short course in networking or network design (such as those run by Cisco) can be helpful but may not be a requirement of all school leaver employers. 

Once in the job, most network administrators will study for professional qualifications.

Key skills for network administrators

• Patience

• IT and technical skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Enthusiasm

• Teamworking skills

• Initiative

• Attention to detail