An IT administrator is a very important role within business. If an organisation uses technology of any kind, it is worth recruiting, or contracting, an IT administrator – they will be on hand whenever things go wrong, and they will be able to advise the organisation on technology.

An IT admin might be hired directly by a business, or they might be part of a company that provides services to other businesses – an example of the latter is TechQuarters, who are one of the foremost IT support companies London based businesses get their tech support from. Either way, their role is to ensure that an enterprise’s IT infrastructure remains up-to-date; they also do things like insulate the company against potential cyber-attacks.

Job Description

IT is a fast-paced and constantly growing sector. This means that the responsibilities of administrators regularly expand and change to various extends, in order to meet the expectations of companies, governed by the industry standards. In an IT department, the administrator is one of the key members, and will provide many essential services to maintain business continuity. A good example of this is, in the event of a network failure, or issues with internet connectivity, during peak work hours, the IT administrator would be expected to diagnose and resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

An IT administrator plays a big role in the day-to-date operations of an organisation.

Salary and Compensation

The salary of an IT administrator may vary depending on candidate experience, and the size or type of company they are working for. In the US, the average salary of IT administrators is just over $61,000. There are many growth opportunities in this role. Some IT admins may opt to work freelance, in order to remain open to new and better opportunities.

There are lots of places where IT administrators can find work. For instance, Indeed is an excellent platform for tech roles; and in the world of telecommunications, where IT admins are always in demand, platforms like FieldEngineer.com, are worth exploring.

IT Admin Jobs

An IT administrator is normally accountable for the maintenance and organisation of an enterprise’s IT network, including their servers, computers, peripheral devices, security systems, etc. Nowadays, business continuity is reliant on the consistent performance of IT, and therefore the IT admin’s role is very important to the company at large.

Due to this, an IT admin will frequently spend their time investigating and analysing network issues, monitoring performance, and advising the company on how they can refine their IT infrastructure.

Educational Requirements

One of the good things about many IT roles, including IT administration, there is not a single – or even a preferred – pathway to a particular role. Traditionally, professional roles expect applicants to hold a relevant degree. In the case of IT administration, a degree in computer science, IT, electronics, or another similar subject will demonstrate one’s knowledge and aptitude for the work.

In lieu of a formal degree, there are also many types of diplomas that will also qualify one to attain work in IT. Furthermore, some companies, such as dedicated IT support companies, will take on apprentices and train them up in various IT roles like administration.

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Essential Skills

On top of a working knowledge of computers and other information technology, an IT administrator should have technical proficiency in all the major operating systems and platforms that businesses are likely to use in their IT infrastructures.

Technical knowledge and skills are important, but there are many ‘soft’ skills that are also very important for IT administrators. For example, strong communication skills is a must, as an IT admin will have to maintain consistent communication not just with colleagues, but also with personnel in other departments of the business are very important.

An IT admin should also have excellent problem solving skills, as well as lateral thinking, and the ability to stay calm and productive whilst under pressure.