System administrator is responsible for designing, organizing, modifying, and supporting a company's computer systems. Designs and installs LANs, WANs, Internet and intranet systems, and network segments.

Tasks:

1. To support LANs, WANs, network segments, Internet, and intranet systems
2. To maintain system efficiency and make recommendations for future upgrades
3. To ensure design of system allows all components to work properly together
4. To evaluate and modify system's performance, troubleshoot problems reported by users and identify user needs
5. To maintain network and system security, analyse and isolate issues
6. To monitor networks to ensure security and availability to specific users
7. To maintain integrity of the network, server deployment, and security
8. To ensure network connectivity throughout a company's LAN/WAN infrastructure is on par with technical considerations
9. To design and deploy networks
10. To perform network address assignment
11. To assign routing protocols and routing table configuration
12. To assign configuration of authentication and authorization of directory services
13. To maintain network facilities in individual machines, such as drivers and settings of personal computers as well as printers
14. To maintain network servers such as file servers, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems
15. To administer servers, desktop computers, printers, routers, switches, firewalls, phones, personal digital assistants, smartphones, software deployment, security updates and patches

Key skills for system administrator:

• Proven ability to assess problems and research solutions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Greater knowledge of the business side of IT
• Keen awareness of system vulnerability
• Productive management of time
• Attention to detail
• Enthusiasm
• Ability to describe technical information in easy-to-understand terms
• Discretion (since confidential data is held on computer systems)
• Patience

Average salary (2014):

The United Kingdom: £25,784 per year
The United States of America: $67,000 per year
Australia: AU$62,595 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Most system administrators hold degrees, although it is not a strict requirement. Degree subjects which are particularly useful include computer science and a general information technology degree. There are also IT certifications which will look good on an individual’s CV. No formal experience is needed prior to making an application. However, any evidence of previous experience with computers will look impressive to employers, as will evidence of using key skills, including problem solving skills.