| Job placement sites (monster.com,
dice.com, etc.) can prove that there are plenty of jobs available for
UNIX system administrators. So, what is a system administrator?
System administration is a very broad
topic, which can make it difficult to define. Generally speaking, a system administrator is
someone that sets up UNIX systems (workstations and servers) and
handles day-to-day tasks for maintaining a large number of systems;
including creating and maintaining user accounts, installing software,
ensuring system security, and solving computer and network problems.
In large organizations, system
administrators sometimes have specialized roles. Some administrators
may focus entirely on creating and maintaining user accounts. Others
may focus on system security and others may spend their time ensuring
data is successfully backed up in case of a system failure or
disaster.
For an excellent article on
"Careers in System Administration" (written by Barbara
Dijker for the Dr. Dobb's Journal, Fall 1999) click here.
This article discusses the following topics:
- Careers in System Administration
- Specialties and Career Advancement
Paths
- Market Areas and Industries
- Market Demands and Trends
- Salaries and Salary Trends
- Consulting and Contracting Versus
Direct Employment
- Job Requirements
- Training and Education
Resources
There are plenty of resources for the system administrator beyond the
man pages. The Figure lists many popular resources that are worth
visiting if you are interested in system administration.
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