For at least two decades now, most of the hottest careers in the world have been in information technology. With the ubiquity of IT at work and home, organizations have developed an appetite for IT professionals who’ll ensure that technology works for them and not against them. One area of IT that has seen especially rapid growth in network administration.
Network connectivity is increasingly a must-have feature for every device. It’s not just conventional computing gadgets such as computers and smartphones but also cars, refrigerators, security systems and more.
Network administrators are charged with ensuring the smooth running of an organization’s network and network nodes. They fix network problems and heavily rely on AD tools. Here are 5 compelling reasons why you should consider a career in network administration.
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Table of Contents
Numerous Job Opportunities
When it comes to choosing a field of work, passion is important. However, it’s always a great thing if you venture into an area that has solid future growth prospects.
We’ve mentioned just how expansive and rapidly growing the career opportunities in networking are. Network administrators have excellent job prospects in the short, medium and long-term. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that network and system administrator jobs in America will see a 5% growth between 2018 and 2028.
Key technology trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing will only increase the number of openings for network administrators.
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Attractive Remuneration
Money isn’t the only thing you should look at when considering a job but it’s certainly a big part of your decision. We all expect to be compensated for our skills in a way that ensures a better life for us and our loved ones.
The good news for anyone keen on a network administrator job is that the pay is pretty good even for entry-level roles. Thanks to the advanced skills needed and the high pressure of ensuring network uptime, the remuneration is quite rewarding. In 2018, the median pay for network and system administrators was an impressive $82,050 or about $40 per hour. That was more than double the $38,640 median wage of all occupations in the US.
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Plenty of Freelance Work
There’s a degree of financial security and stability that comes with employment. However, not everyone prefers or is cut out for the world of formal employment. The world of freelancing may be less predictable and more precarious but the flexibility it comes with and the absence of a ceiling of how much you earn can make the disadvantages worth it.
Fortunately, you are unlikely to run out of work as a freelance network administrator. That’s because many small companies cannot afford to have a network administrator as a full-time employee and will engage a freelancer to address network challenges as and when they occur.
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Lucrative Prospects for Career Advancement
If you’re someone who is keen on scaling the corporate ladder whether, in tech or non-tech organization, network administration is a good place to start. That’s partly because the job of a network administrator is multi-faceted and malleable.
You could become a project manager, CIO, CTO, CISO, COO and other roles where understanding technology infrastructure is an asset. That being said, taking courses in non-networking fields can further broaden your prospects and increase your chances of breaking into the C-suite.
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Out-of-Office Application
There’s a warm fuzzy feeling you get when you do good. It’s part of the reason we volunteer our time and skills without expecting financial compensation. As a network administrator, you can count on being the go-to guy for your family, friends, and neighbors when it comes to everyday computer problems.
Being such an asset to your circle means you will build some decent social capital that you can readily cash in when you have something you need others to help you accomplish in your life. For instance, if one of your friends is an attorney and you’ve helped them out with their computer issues in the past at no charge, they’ll likely want to return the favor if you ever need some legal advice.
If you weren’t sure about it before, these reasons may persuade you to pursue a career in network administration.
