Network and Computer
Systems Administrator
PANHANDLE

Average Wage
$30.29

Average Annual
Job Openings
15

Employment in
2004
2014
250
350

———————–
TEXAS
Average Wage
$30.94

Average Annual
Job Openings
1,140

Employment in
2004
2014
21,400
30,450

———————–
UNITED STATES
Employment in
2006
289,520

Female 29%
Minority 17%
JOB DESCRIPTION

Install, configure, manage and troubleshoot local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). Connect entire systems of workstations, printers and modems to Internet, e-mail, and other application servers via fiber optic
and other types of cables.


SKILLS AND APTITUDES NEEDED

  • Aptitude for electronics
  • Competent with business systems and computers
  • Ability to identify and analyze problems
  • Good communication skills
  • Good manual dexterity and vision
  • Basic knowledge of telecommunications, mechanical and engineering technology


Computer network technicians test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability and compatibility with computer systems and upgrade components when necessary. This occupation may also include web page design. Technicians must keep their knowledge current with advances in convergence, bandwidth, speed of data transmission, operating systems, and application servers.

Many administrators have experience as systems analysts, computer engineers, programmers, operators or in other computer occupations. Employers seek administrators with experience in specific software or technology to be used on the job. In addition to technical skills, employers also seek administrators who have business and interpersonal skills.

Employment in the computer information systems and data processing services industries is expected to grow rapidly due to the increasing use of information technologies. In order to remain competitive, firms will continue to install sophisticated computer networks, set up Internet and intranet sites, and engage in electronic commerce.

EMPLOYMENT
CODES
OES 85705 (evolving)
O*NET 15-1071.00
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
PANHANDLE AREA PUBLIC TRAINING PROVIDERS
Training Provider
Direct
Related
Education Offering
Amarillo College
Amarillo, Dumas, Hereford







A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science Degree), Computer Information Systems Major

A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science Degree), Electronics System Technology Major - Networking Technology Option
Clarendon College
Clarendon, Pampa


A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science Degree), Computer Technology Major - Networking Administration
Frank Phillips College
Borger, Perryton



A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science Degree), MIS (Management Information Systems) Networking - Cisco and Microsoft Windows 2000 Major
Wayland Baptist University
Amarillo



B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration Degree) Management Information Systems Major

West Texas A&M University
Canyon



B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration Degree), Computer Information Systems Major

For information on public training providers outside of the Panhandle Area, please refer to the Resource Index.
HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT LEVELS BY INDUSTRY
Elementary/Secondary Schools 10%
Local Government 9%
Insurance Carriers 6%
Depository Credit Intermediation 5%
Newspaper/Periodical/Book/Directory Publishing 4%
Internet Service Providers/Web Search Portal 4%
Data Processing/Hosting/Related Services 4%
Colleges/Universities/Professional Schools 4%
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Professional and vendor-specific certifications are preferred and often required
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, (800) 342-6626, http://www.acm.org

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), 2350 East Devon Ave., Suite 115, Des Plaines, IL 60018-4610, (800) 843-8227, http://www.iccp.org

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers—USA (IEEE), 1828 L St. NW, Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20036-5104, (202) 785-0017, http://www.ieee.org

For additional website sources, please refer to the Resource Index.
Panhandle Career Handbook published by Panhandle Regional Planning Commission
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