System Administrator: What it is and what are the responsibilities

System administrators, also called sysadmins, are information technology (IT) professionals who make sure that an organization's computer systems are functioning and meeting its needs. Sysadmins maintain, troubleshoot, and service computer servers and networks.

What is System Administration: Tasks and Responsibilities

The tasks of a system administrator include the following:

• Administering Windows, Linux, and Mac systems;
• Updating, installing and configuring application software and computer hardware;
• Troubleshooting problems and providing technical support to employees;
• Creating and managing system permissions and user accounts;
• Performing routine security testing and monitoring.

System and network administration

In some organizations, system administrators and network administrators are used interchangeably and have virtually identical responsibilities. However, from a technical standpoint, there are differences between the two. A system administrator deals with servers and computer systems, while a network administrator deals with network-related tasks and equipment, such as routing, IP addressing, and local area network (LAN) maintenance.

When working in smaller organizations, these responsibilities may be combined into one role, but in larger organizations they may be different. Because systems and networks are often intertwined, it is not uncommon for job descriptions to require knowledge of both.

Salary and job prospects for systems administrators

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average base salary for systems administrators in the U.S. in 2022 was $90,520 dollars. Salaries can vary depending on experience and the cost of living in the location where they work. Employment of computer systems administrators is expected to grow 2% between 2022 and 2032, slower than the average for all jobs.

How to become a systems administrator

To become a system administrator, you must have the basic skills to keep the computer systems in your organization running smoothly. Here are some of the key skills you should include on your resume:

1. In-depth knowledge of operating systems: Whether it's Windows, Linux or Mac, hiring managers usually look at the ability to manage the operating systems used in the company. Windows and Linux operating systems are widely used, and these two operating systems are a good place to start.
2. Familiarity with hardware: Working with physical devices such as servers and printers is an important part of a system administrator's job.
3. Cloud computing skills: Familiarity with cloud applications such as Office365, Google Cloud Platform and AWS is an advantage when hiring.
4. Knowledge of networks: System administrators are often required to configure and maintain local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), as well as configure network security tools such as firewalls. This can be common in smaller companies where IT professionals have to juggle multiple tasks.
5. Communication and interpersonal skills: In addition to working as part of a team, a sysadmin often has to help other employees who do not have the same technical knowledge, through the help desk or other means. Communication skills are an important component of successful day-to-day work as a systems administrator.

Certifications for system administrators

There are several certifications you can earn to gain experience as a system administrator. Here are a few examples:

• Windows Server Administration Fundamentals: Knowledge of Windows servers is a major asset in the job of a systems administrator, and the Windows Server Administration Fundamentals certification lays the foundation for a successful career in Windows servers, networking, and Active Directory, account management, and system recovery tools.
• Google IT Support Professional certification: This certification provides students with the skills to handle common system administrator tasks such as customer support and troubleshooting. In addition, the course introduces commonly used systems such as Linux and the Domain Name System and prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ exam. This course is not a certification course, but upon completion you will receive an industry-recognized professional certification. No prior experience is required.
• Google IT Support: This certification program allows you to learn in-demand skills at your own pace without a degree or work experience.
• Red Hat: The Red Hat System Administrator certification gives you experience with Linux operating systems and prepares you for entry-level work in system administration.
• CompTIA Server+ or A+: CompTIA offers several entry-level certifications. Specifically, the Server+ or A+ certifications can give you the skills and experience you need to qualify for an entry-level IT job. The Server+ certification gives you specialized knowledge about servers, while the A+ certification can be applied to other aspects of IT. It covers a wide range of skills.

Preparing for an interview

Preparing for an interview means anticipating some questions in advance and knowing how to answer them. Below are the main questions you may encounter during a sysadmin interview:

• How do you deal with viruses?
• How do you determine when a server needs an upgrade?
• Can you give an example of a case where you were unable to solve a problem? What did you do to make it happen?
• What qualities do you possess to be a good system administrator?

Interviewing for IT jobs

Because IT jobs are highly technical, interviewers may ask not only technical questions, but also questions about personal behavior. Be prepared for both. To refresh your IT skills, recall some of the tasks you know and practice explaining them out loud.

It's not unreasonable to recall a few episodes when you did well or when not so well, and think about what you did to improve the situation. Concrete examples will help you prepare mentally and appear more confident to employers.