What Is Involved in System Administrator Training?

System administrators are individuals who make sure that their organizations’ computer systems work properly and are up-to-date. These people have to enjoy working with machines and solving complex problems. Applying for an undergraduate degree program and taking computer courses is necessary to complete system administrator training. A student in this vocational area should also be prepared to gain field experience via an internship and use his or her education to become certified.

The first step necessary to complete system administrator training involves applying for a four-year bachelor’s degree program in this field. This is necessary to claim most positions in this career area. To do this, a person must fill out his or her chosen college’s enrollment form and turn in a copy of his or her high school diploma or the equivalent certification. In addition, he or she has to send in his or her latest standardized test scores and high school transcript.

Various computer-focused courses make up an educational program in this area of study. A student should learn how to keep a company’s computer network as secure as possible from outside threats, including viruses that destroy information. He or she must also focus on honing his or her skills with updating systems so that they work more efficiently in addition to fixing any technical problems that arise. System administrator training additionally covers how to ensure that all parts of a computer system, including hardware and software, cooperate well to meet users’ needs.

Some schools demand that a pupil also complete an internship as part of his or her graduation requirement. This involves contacting local companies to find out if they are willing to work with a person who is finishing system administrator training. An individual’s time as an intern should be spent testing system designs and making sure that a company’s computer system recovers necessary data in the event of a technological emergency. Proving his or her skills to a manager while completing on-the-job training at an organization could open up doors to long-term job opportunities for him or her.

Training in this career area prepares an individual to pursue relevant certifications as well. He or she can complete examinations offered by private software product vendors to earn these credentials. Maintaining these designations simply requires taking continuing education courses. Being certified allows a person who has completed system administrator training to enhance his or her job prospects because it shows hiring managers that he or she truly is an expert in his or her field.