How to become a System Administrator | System Administration Course | Earn Your Certificate as System Engineer
A system administrator or a computer systems administrator is a professional who manages and maintains the computer systems, networks and servers of their company or clients. If you are good with computers and have a knack for solving network issues, you might want to follow up a System Administrator or System Engineer Carrier.
Knowing more about this profession can help you decide if this is the best career option for you. In this article, I we explain how to become a system administrator or System Engineer, discuss what a system administrator does and share some skills, qualifications and certifications they you may need to excel in this career.
My recommendation for a well structured IT System Administrator or IT System Engineer certificate course is Udemy Academy.
Step 1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and build your IT technical skills.
You might sigh, exclaiming, “higher education in IT is outdated!” But it truly is not. The lion’s share of employers accept applicants for systems administrator position only if they have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related major, such as computer science, electronic engineering or computer engineering, and have three to five years of experience. While earning a four-year degree, you’ll nail down the basics, like various programming languages, the types and features of different operating systems and networking services, how to do database and systems analysis, what’s involved in systems design and more. During your educational studies, you will have the opportunity to do internship training that will assist you acquire company experience.
However, since technology changes much faster than textbooks, the path to becoming a system administrator also requires constant self-education. You should make it a habit to learn about emerging trends in the field on your own: which operating systems and applications are becoming more common, what new approaches there are for efficient hardware and software troubleshooting, what threats to network security are emerging, and many more. Read industry publications and research, ask questions on forums, engage with practicing system and network administrators.
Earn IT certification with the following training System Administrator courses
Step 2. Take extra courses to become a system administrator or IT System Engineer
To increase your credentials and advance your skills, we recommend getting IT certifications, either during college or after graduation. Such certificates are voluntary, but employers often see them as an extra reason to consider your application. Thus, relevant certificates not only help you master your skills of developing and managing computer systems but also increase your chances of getting a job and having a wider range of choices.
While it may not be necessary for getting a job as a system administrator, some employers prefer candidates who have a few relevant certifications, such as Microsoft and CompTIA certifications. It shows that you are serious about building a career in this field. Having the experience of earning certifications can also help you develop your technical skills.
Step 3. Develop strong interpersonal skills.
How to be a good system administrator? It requires more than technical knowledge of Windows or Linux environments and mastering tasks like backups – interpersonal skills are just as important.
Since the system administrator is the first point of contact when network problems arise, you should be ready to work under pressure and remain calm. You should also have strong problem-solving and time-management skills, good judgment, and the ability to address issues quickly and efficiently.
Good communication skills are paramount, since you’ll inevitably have to propose ideas, explain your goals and expectations for projects, and educate employees about working with IT assets responsibly. In particular, a good system administrator knows how to explain complex information to non-IT people. You can craft a complicated or important message into a story to make it more impactful.
Step 4. Get a job.
Before applying for full-time jobs, you should get entry-level experience by doing internships or having part-time jobs first. You can take on junior roles for desktop or tech support helpdesk to understand how everything you studied in theory works in practice. Real-world experience is the best training.
Once you have tested and honed your skills, you are all set for getting an entry-level position as a system administrator or a network administrator, since their roles often overlap. Often, employers look for at least 3–5 years of experience, but you might be able to include your education and internships toward this number. Make use of the contacts you have made in the field; the best way to get a job is through your network. You can also search for positions through LinkedIn, Monster or Indeed, targeting jobs that match your skills and salary requirements. If you are familiar with a specific OS or have a cert in a certain field, make sure to highlight it in your resume.
As you choose between larger corporations and smaller organizations, think twice before rushing for a big brand. You are likely to get more experience in a small company, because they are often short on budget and people; you’ll have to juggle many projects and learn how to do a lot of things simultaneously, so you’ll be forced to improve your automation skills. Choosing a big company puts you at risk of having a narrow area of responsibility and ending up with a less exciting experience.
Step 5. Constantly refresh your knowledge.
Once you’re working and don’t have to Google ‘How to become a sysadmin’ anymore, your path is still not over. It is never over — you must stay up to speed on the latest technology, which changes really fast.
What does a system administrator do?
The primary duties and responsibilities of system administrators are:
1. Understanding the specific requirements of clients
2. Making recommendations and suggestions for the design of computer systems for clients
3. Installing and maintaining systems like WANs (wide area networks) and LANs (local area networks) for a variety of organizations and institutions
4. Maintaining and upgrading data cloud infrastructure and internet servers for clients
5. Troubleshooting network issues and fixing identified problems
6. Assessing cybersecurity threats and implementing mechanisms to prevent intrusions
7. Making scripts for the automation of tasks and network processes
8. Testing and improving the efficiency of computer systems and internet servers
Foundational skills for a system administrator
If you want to become a system administrator, you may consider developing these skills:
1. Communication skills: As a system administrator, you may need to interact with a variety of people, including clients, managers, stakeholders, executives, technicians and clerical staff. Being able to convey complex ideas in terms that people can easily understand often requires good written and verbal communication skills.
2. Organizational skills: In this role, you may handle a variety of tasks, including keeping your resources, tools, files, communication and hardware organized at all times. Additionally, you may also have to organize your primary tasks into a timed schedule and adhere to it strictly.
3. Attention to detail: System administrators often perform with accuracy and consistency. They may have to analyze large amounts of data to generate useful insights and solve problems, so good attention to detail can help you avoid errors in this line of work.
4. Technical skills: You can benefit greatly from developing a good knowledge of programming, software development, hardware capabilities, testing mechanisms, protocols and network infrastructure.
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With the below link: You can earn a certification in IT System Administrator course to start an IT carrier.