System Administrators are responsible for maintaining the computer systems of a company. Server management is a primary responsibility, and a System Administrator would be responsible for installing, maintaining and upgrading servers. They are also responsible for ensuring the servers are backed up, and that the server data is secure from unauthorized access. System administrators will also often perform light programming (usually scripting, which involves writing programs to automate tasks).
Many System Administrators do not have a formal education, they are self taught. They may have a 4 year degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems (MIS). Knowledge of business functions is also important, as is the ability to communicate with other employees in the company in both technical and non-technical roles. To progress to more senior roles, a system administrator should have some knowledge of project management.
System Administrators often promote to a more senior administrator role and then into a project management role. Strategic roles involving long term planning and company technology strategy, such MIS Manager or CIO, may be a fit for those with the appropriate education and experience. Some System Administrators specialize in a certain area, such as security, and become experts in that particular area.