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Doing systems administration is a satisfying but difficult job, mostly because you come into contact with users who know about their own applications, but have absolutely no knowledge of any other technical issues - even if they think they do! You job is to keep the installation trouble free on a day to day basis, and to have knowledge of all the installation-specific issues that arise in computing. You also have to spend some time with users, doing some on the job training for how to use the system well, and in some cases, how to use the system at all.

In order to become a systems administrator, you need to have a background knowledge of computing - usually in the form of an associate's degree or similar, and you need specific systems administration training - usually gained during certification training. Today, certification is almost mandatory; most companies use certification as a part of their recruitment and promotion strategy, and don't really have a policy of dealing with you until you get your apporpriate certification.

You also need to have good communications skills, including the ability to listen as well as to talk. You are going to have to spend a fair amount of time sorting out users problems, and also talking to the other technical personnel you work with. Really your job is about smoothing things out, both technically and, to some extent, with people as well.

Many computer installations today are complex, as they are a mixture of computers, servers, peripherals, and networks. They also often have networking connections to other installations, or to the Internet.

Setting up such an installation takes real expertise, because not only does it require the services of hardware engineers, it also requires much work from systems software engineers. In fact, in some cases these two roles are taken on by the same person, although not always, and in a larger installation it is likely that the systems software engineer will be a permanent post.

The need to set up each computer, it's relationship with the server, set up the server and then connect the network is a mixture of both hardware and software, and the boundaries are not obvious in many cases. Connection with the Internet compounds this.

In order to be able to take on this kind of role, you will need at least a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or a similar subject. You will also probably need considerable experience in networking and systems administration, and will probably have relevant certification either from appropriate vendors or generic certification.

Maintaining and repairing computer hardware is a job that has changed during the last thirty years. While computer hardware was a relatively expensive item in a company's budget, or for an individual a major purchase, repairs were necessary and economic. It used to be quite normal to replace parts, even the motherboard, for both repair and to upgrade computers. Disk drives and other peripherals were replaced as their lives tended to be less than the computer itself, and so work for computer hardware engineers and technicians was prolific.

However, with the cost of hardware going down each year, and new developments coming on the market on a monthly basis, this situation has changed and today it is more likely that hardware will not need any real attention, and will be replaced within three years. But there is still a market in second hand computers, and while ever this is on the cards there will be a need for computer hardware engineers.

To qualify for this kind of job, you need at least an associate degree in electronic engineering or in IT hardware. You can study for this in a traditional mode, attending your college or university on a part time or full time basis, studying in the classroom or you can study an online degree, doing most of your study at home or at work, and attending college on an occasional basis.