Careers in the Information Communications Technology field are becoming dynamic. Many confuse the job descriptions that are found in this field. This is so given the fact that the field of computers is still new. This paper will look at three careers in information technology because that is my interest.
A systems administrator is tasked with managing the operating systems of all the computers that are found in the organization. Without proper management of the operating systems in an organization, there will be regular clashing in the operations of the systems in that organization. It is therefore imperative that the operating systems are properly managed. The operating systems are large-scale, like UNIX and Microsoft servers. The operating systems are supposed to manage the organization’s resources. This will ensure that the end-users are able to perform their normal tasks without any problems experienced in the day (Brown, 2006).
System administrators are also responsible for the daily maintenance of the organization’s operating system. With this, they are responsible for backup of the daily operations, maintain by deleting and adding user accounts to the system. The operating systems have been developed so that they are able to manage the various accounts that have been created in the system.
The work of a system administrator has been made more tedious with the inclusion of making sure that eth system is safe from viruses. With the virus attacks that are targeted at operating systems, the work of the system administrator is becoming vital. They are supposed to ensure that the operating system is safe from all kinds of attacks. Any attack on the operating system that is used by the whole organization will compromise the whole system. This is where the maintenance of the operating system will come in handy. In case of attacks, the systems administrator is supposed to ensure that the system is cleaned and quarantined for further attacks. System administrators should be acquainted with such qualifications as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) (Schneider, 2011).
Network administrator is responsible for managing the organization’s Local Area Network (LAN). The speed and performance should be optimum for the organization to function well. This is where the network administrator comes in. The network administrator is concerned with making sure that all forms of communication in the LAN are working well. He is to make sure that the LAN interfaces well with the Wide Area Network (WAN) like the Internet. Network administrators are supposed to be conversant with such qualifications as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Certified Network Engineer and CCNA.
The roles of the system administrator and that of network administrator will differ depending on the size of the company. Small and medium sized companies will have the same roles serving as system administrator and also network administrator. Bigger companies will have differing roles of system administrator and network administrator (Gibson, 2008). The roles are the same in other companies. A system administrator in one company may be a network administrator in another company (Horner 987).
A software engineer is concerned with designing information systems that will be used to solve the various problems in the organization. They are also tasked with making sure that all bugs that are reported in the system are correctly solved. This will make sure that the system and the information systems are running smoothly (Horner 76).
The role of a system administrator in large companies tends to be clearly defined. They are strictly confined to the server room where they make sure that the servers are up and running. They make sure that all the information systems are running well in the servers. However, this role seems to overlap when it comes to medium sized companies where they will double up as network administrators. This is likewise in small companies. Software engineers in large companies are also tasked with making sure that the software systems are running well and have no bug. Any bug that is reported will be dealt with by the software engineers. In small companies, the role of the software engineer will be general, as in he will serve as an IT support and also system administrator (Chen 76).
Overall the three roles seem to overlap when it comes to comparing with the size of the companies. Small companies seem to be having a vague definition of the job description of these three professionals.
The Systems Administrator Appreciation Day is celebrated every last Friday of July of each year. It is celebrated in remembrance and appreciation of the hard work that systems administrators do of the information systems of organizations to run smoothly.
Works Cited
Chen, C. P. "Career projection: Narrative in context." Journal of Vocational Behavior 54 (2007): 279-295.
Horner, Donnie. "Career management." cond. Donnie Horner. By Donnie Horner. 2012.
Sate University. "Software development job description, career as a network administrator, salary, employment." Infoworld 63.2 (2011): 73.
