Today's workplace is most definitely a digital environment, with network administration professionals in constant demand. Computer training and recognized credentials are imperative to IT professionals, including those who choose to specialize in network administration. However, network administration is most commonly known for managing IT systems. Administrators often rely on their subordinates, the network technical support professionals to troubleshoot and fix network problems. To become a network administrator, students often start with network technical support degrees or diplomas, working their way up to more advanced positions like administrator. The key skills and training is the same, the primary difference is the amount of experience the professional has, as well as their certifications.

Businesses today use complex networking systems to facilitate daily business operations, document sharing, communications, and record keeping. Government agencies have expansive computer networks, often requiring numerous IT professionals organized into large teams or departments to manage their networks and especially network security. These teams and departments include network technical support as well as numerous network administrators. In order to land one of these jobs, candidates must possess advanced network technical support degrees, Microsoft certifications, A++ certifications, or other computer network-related degrees. Students may choose to start with a two-year associate's degree or diploma program to start their career, and then advance to a bachelor or master's degree as their career progresses.

During the program for these two-year associate's degree or network technical support degrees, students study not only the fundamentals of operating systems by Linux, OSX, and Microsoft, but also how to troubleshoot those systems. Training starts with the basic concepts behind computer networking and progresses to include understanding the roles of network tech support professionals as well as network administrators. With most degree and diploma programs, students are ready to start taking their certification exams for A+ and Microsoft by the end of their first year.

The second year of study for network technical support degrees and network administration degrees usually focuses on network design and maintenance. Students learn how to build and maintain servers, design networks that are scalable as the business or agencies evolves, and implement network overhauls. Students prepare for certification exams like the Microsoft Certified IT Professional exam. Additionally, soft skills such as teamwork, proposal writing, and IT professional ethics are also a strong focus as students prepare for graduation. However, even after graduation, most students must begin their careers as network tech support professionals before advancing to network administration.

To further compliment your job marketability above and beyond network technical support degrees, consider apprenticeships, volunteer work, or internships which provide onsite, hands on experience to compliment your studies. Not only will these opportunities provide you with the ability to immediately apply the skills you learn in school, but they will also provide documented experience to add to your resume. All other things such as degree or skill sets being equal, employers will most often hire the candidate with demonstrated experience in their field over someone fresh out of school with no real world experience.