Operation System Careers

The significance of the role of the Operation System(OS) in the overall Information Technology employment sector cannot be undervalued. Indeed, it is hard to talk about technical skill-sets or the practical application of such skill-sets without at least some underlying understanding of their context within a computer operating system environment. From hardware specifications and requirements, user technical support, system administration and security, to software development and system implementation, operating systems are an integral part of the information technology and computing world in all its aspects, and it is difficult to form a concrete demarcation between specialized careers in this industry and the concept of the computer operating system.

Probably the most common thought of career position within the information technology arena that garners the most OS-centric job description specifics is that of the system administrator or network administrator. A system administrator is a person employed to maintain and operate a computer system or network for a company or other organization. The duties of a system administrator are wide-ranging, and vary widely from one organization to another. Sysadmins are usually charged with installing, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems, and planning for and responding to service outages and other problems. Other duties may include scripting or light programming, project management for systems-related projects, supervising or training computer operators, and being the equivalent of a handyman for computer problems beyond the knowledge of technical support staff.

Unlike many other professions, there is no single path to becoming a system administrator. Few colleges or universities have specific programs for system administration, so many system administrators have a degree in generic fields such as computer science, computer engineering, information system management, or even a trade school program.

Currently, entry-level systems administrators make about $55000, as reported by esj.com, while salary.com states the median expected salary in 2006 for a typical system administrator in the United States is $65,675. System administrator salaries are strongest within the financial services and insurance industries.

Perhaps second only to the system administrators in terms of OS-centric roles, technical support officers are responsible for ensuring the smooth running of computer systems. Tasks vary depending on the size and structure of the organization, but will typically include installing and configuring computer systems, monitoring and maintaining the computer systems, taking staff/clients through a series of actions within the supported operating systems, and troubleshooting, diagnosing, and solving hardware/software faults. Application support roles also fall under this category, which provide support for specific applications implemented within the organization.

As with many other IT positions, there is no specific path that leads one to a technical support position. Candidates often have traditional college coursework, usually in a technical major such as CIS, MIS, or computer science. However, often technical support specialists receive certifications from private institutions that offer training in the various information technologies.

Entry-level technical support specialists earnings can vary depending on organization and job requirements. Positions compensation range from an hourly wages upwards toward the median salary earned for the role. Payscale.com states the median salary in the New York/New Jersey/Tri-State area for a technical support specialist is approximately $45,000.

Computer Security Specialists plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to prevent unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure of information. They regulate users' access to computer data files and erect firewalls to keep out tainted digital transfers. These specialists use encryption coding to conceal confidential information as it is being transmitted. They also monitor news reports of computer viruses and update the virus protection system as needed. Computer security specialists may be called upon to educate users about computer security, install security software, monitor the network for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, and, in some cases, gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber crime. The responsibilities of computer security specialists has increased in recent years as there has been a large increase in the number of cyber attacks on data and networks. This and other growing specialty occupations reflect an increasing emphasis on client-server applications, the expansion of Internet and intranet applications, and the demand for more end-user support.

Again, from the Payscale.com website, computer security specialist can expect to enter the field earning a salary upwards of $50,000. The median earnings potential for this position across the United States appears to be approximately $70,000.