Hot Jobs: Network Engineering and Administration
Network engineering administrators install, configure, and maintain an organization's LAN server and workstations. They manage the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of an organization's local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). Network engineering administrators may also analyze products and recommend use of new products and services to senior management.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, network engineering administrators held about 278,000 jobs in 2004. Although they worked in a wide range of industries, about 23 percent of all systems administrators were employed in professional, scientific, and technical services industries. Other organizations that employed large numbers workers include educational institutions banks, government agencies, insurance companies, and retail vendors of computers, office equipment, appliances, and home electronic equipment.
Job Outlook According to the BLS
Employment of systems administrators is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations as firms continue to invest heavily in securing computer networks. Companies are looking for workers who are knowledgeable about the function and administration of networks. Such employees have become increasingly hard to find as systems administration has moved from being a separate function within corporations to one that forms a crucial element of business in an increasingly high-technology economy.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm (visited April 13, 2006).