Network Administrator Schools and Career Info

Things you need to know, but nobody tells you

I was surprised at how much database work my college required for my degree. I don't really use that at all in my day-to-day activities and I didn't really...[full comment]

I was surprised that I didn't really need a technical degree or specific training to obtain my current job. I am mostly self-taught, though my degree helped me understand...[full comment]

I was surprised about how much learning there is in the computer science field. I find myself never getting bored with it and am always on the lookout for new...[full comment]

I was surprised to find out exactly how much I didn't know about my field after graduation. When I got my job as Network Administrator, I quickly learned that I...[full comment]

In general there is sometimes a lot of downtime during my work week. Work seems to come in chunks of time, so I may be very busy one week...[full comment]

The best part of my job is problem solving. I have to think on my feet and sometimes think in detail about how something should work and why it works...[full comment]

You need to have a high level of interest in computers and networks. Continue to study. This type of career requires you to study and take new certification tests every...[full comment]

My career is great for people that enjoy always having new challenges. The same problem never occurs twice, so you cannot simply write down instructions for others to solve certain...[full comment]

1) Volunteer to work on an projects that come up, as they are all opportunities to expand your knowledge and network with people in your company. It will be a...[full comment]

 
 

School and Career Surprises: Tips From People on the Job

Each comment from a network administrator includes their career and school satisfaction ratings.

Career: "I was surprised that I didn't really need a technical degree or specific training to obtain my current job. I am mostly self-taught, though my degree helped me understand how businesses operate and how to fit in at my current institution."

School: Studied Enterprise Management at University Of Tennessee - Knoxville in Tennessee; completed Bachelor degree in 2008.
Career: Network Administration, male, 1 years of experience, currently based in Tennessee.

Career: "I was surprised about how much learning there is in the computer science field. I find myself never getting bored with it and am always on the lookout for new learning experiences."

School: Studied Computer Science at Southern Oregon University in Oregon; completed Master degree in 2009.
Career: Network Administrator, male, 10 years of experience, currently based in Oregon.

Career: "I was surprised to find out exactly how much I didn't know about my field after graduation. When I got my job as Network Administrator, I quickly learned that I still had a lot to learn. I am definitely more knowledgeable now 10 years later, but the learning never stops."

School: Studied Information Technology at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana; completed Associate degree in 2004.
Career: Network Administrator, male, 10 years of experience, currently based in Indiana.

School: "I was surprised at how much database work my college required for my degree. I don't really use that at all in my day-to-day activities and I didn't really need it. I also had to learn a bit of programming, which I don't really use at all, although it did help me understand some other topics."

Career: "In general there is sometimes a lot of downtime during my work week. Work seems to come in chunks of time, so I may be very busy one week and not all the next, it is hit or miss. Also, you have to have good problem solving skills and be able to manipulate people to get the information you need. This was kind of surprising to me."

School: Studied Network Engineering at Southwest Florida College in Florida; completed Associate degree in 2002.
Career: Network Engineer, male, 18 years of experience, currently based in South Dakota.

Best & Worst Things About This Career

As reported by people currently doing the job

"My career is great for people that enjoy always having new challenges. The same problem never occurs twice, so you cannot simply write down instructions for others to solve certain problems when they arise. I enjoy a career that takes advantage of my ability to think about the big picture and identify correlated factors that could be causing the problem. The worst part about the career is attempting to explain the degree of difficulty of work to your supervisors and managers. Most of the time, these people are not technically oriented themselves, and do not understand the intricacies of the technology."

School : Some college, studying for BA in Computer and Information Science, University of Maryland
Career: Network Engineer As An Army Civilian, currently based in Georgia.;

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

Helpful Info From Insiders

"1) Volunteer to work on an projects that come up, as they are all opportunities to expand your knowledge and network with people in your company. It will be a big help when you want to advance your career. 2) When starting off, be knowledgeable on topics covered by the CompTIA exams (A+, Security+ and Network+). If you can obtain these certifications, they will help you get your foot in the door when you are starting out. 3) The IT career field can get stressful when things aren't working right. Stay level-headed, and remember not to burn bridges with anyone you are working with. You never know when you may next need their help."

School : Some college, studying for BA in Computer and Information Science, University of Maryland
Career: Network Engineer As An Army Civilian, currently based in Georgia.;