• Occupation Overview
• Future Growth Opportunities
• Job Description

II. Job Requirements/Prerequisites:

• Skill Requirements
• Experience Prerequisites
• Education/Training Required

• Bay Area Education/Training Resources

IV. Getting A Job:

• Employers Who Are/Will Be Hiring
• Recommended Job Search Strategy

V. Back To Career Guide Home Page

Skill Requirements

Intellectual - Basic

• Able to understand highly technical topics.
  
• Able to work under pressure.
  
• Able to prioritize multiple activities.
  

Intellectual - Specialized

• Excellent computer skills.
  
• Able to troubleshoot.
  
• Familiar with the relevant networking hardware and software.
  

Social

• Desire to help others.
  
• Able to work with others in high-pressure situations.
  
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
  
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  

Physical

• Able to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
  
• Able to crawl under desks to reach the back sides of computers and peripherals.

Skill Maintenance Requirement
High. Networking technology changes quickly, requiring constant updating of technical knowledge.

Remaining current is often accomplished by attending conferences, reading technical publications, and taking short courses.

Experience Prerequisites

Previous experience as a System Administrator is helpful. Certification from Cisco or Microsoft (see the next section) can often substitute for one year of experience.

Education/Training Required

A 4-year degree is often stated as a requirement for Network Administrators, particularly at the larger companies. An AS degree, along with certification, is usually an acceptable substitute.

Cisco and Microsoft offer certification tests for their networks. Passing these tests indicates to potential employers that one has the technical skills necessary to be a Network Administrator. Most of the training programs described in the next section prepare individuals to pass one or more of these certification exams. The certifications that are relevant for Network Administrators are listed below.

• Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
  
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
  
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

The next section in this career guide ("Bay Area Education/Training Resources") provides detailed information on some of the training programs available for Network Administrators.