IT Jobs | What does a System Administrator do?

IT jobs: Find out what is the role of a System Administrator. Read and analyse if you have the right skillset to become one!

By Ruchira Sanyal -

March 21, 2017

3505

A system administrator is primarily responsible for setting up and monitoring the operations and maintenance of an office’s computer systems. The work involves setting up LANs WANs, Internet and Intranet systems in the office. In other words, a system administrator is the person we all reach out to, the moment there is a problem with our computers or internet at work.

THE JOB ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary roles and responsibilities of a system administrator include:

Supporting LANs, WANs, Internet and intranet systems at workplace, and ensuring their efficiency.
Maintaining network and systems security
Modification and evaluation of system’s performance.
Maintaining network facilities in individual computers and machines at the workplace and also maintain network servers, printers, routers, firewalls, security updates and patches.
Troubleshooting problems reported by other people at work.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED

This profile requires very strong domain knowledge about networks, operating systems, hardware etc among others. Apart from that, interpersonal skills, work management, ability to handle stress are some essential characteristics of this role.

The major skills and competencies required for this role are:

Excellent functional knowledge about networks, operating systems etc
Good interpersonal skills
Work management

ASSESSMENT FOR THE ‘RIGHT’ SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

The following table illustrates how various skills and personality traits map to assessments required for the System Administrator role:

System Administrator Profile	AMCAT Mapping
Communication Skills	Spoken English: Mid
Technical Skills	Domain skills: High
Interpersonal Skills	Spoken English: Mid to High
Problem Solving Skills	Logical Ability: High
Ability to Work under stress	Emotional Stability: High