17.2 Careers in UNIX System Administration
17.2.1 The profession
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.