Description

This program provides students with the necessary skill and knowledge to plan, install, and provide routine control over and manage exceptional situations in relation to quality communications network services in an information system. It provides in-depth knowledge of evaluating communications hardware, software, and transmission service alternatives against changing business requirements, maintaining links with network suppliers, monitoring network performance, providing support for systems, localizing and rectifying faults in networks and handling non-routine user/customer problems, and providing expertise and practical assistance in delivering service that complies with statutory and other standards, as well as strategic and tactical plans.

Program Notes

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.

Career Opportunities

Recent studies indicate that strong growth in IT jobs, especially for skilled Computer and Network Operators, are expected over the next few years. Careers that correspond with the skills learned in this program include:

• Hardware Installation Coordinator
• Network Administrator
• Network Support Technician
• Network Operator
• Local Area Network (LAN) Administrator
• Local Area Network (LAN) Technician

Duties and Responsibilities

Network Administrators provide day-to-day onsite administrative support for software users in a variety of work environments, including professional offices, small businesses, government, and corporations. Their duties may include:

• Maintaining, troubleshooting, and administering the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), hardware, software and related computer equipment.
• Monitoring and implementing network activities.
• Designing and configuring networks, recommending purchases of application servers, peripherals, and software.
• Evaluating and installing computer hardware, networking software, and operating system software.
• Providing problem-solving services to network users.
• Performing data backups and disaster recovery operations.

Required Skills and Personal Attributes

• Technical/functional skills and aptitude
• Software and hardware troubleshooting skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to be innovative and creative
• Business and management skills
• Time management skills
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
• Embraces change and new technology
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to embrace change and new technology
• Self-motivated
• Good customer service skills
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively despite possible time constraints
• Experience in the IT industry