Network Administration Archives | American National University

What Can I Do with a Network Administration Degree?

Chloe Daniels — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 20:44:12 +0000

In today’s world, computers are becoming more and more dominant in every walk of life. Whether they’re in pockets and made to answer calls, a gaming device, or computers used to track business, they are in every facet of what many people do in a day. The importance of having people keep these systems running smoothly, efficiently, and without cyber threats is growing with each new technological advance. As businesses and organizations continue to rely on technology for daily operations, skilled network professions will always be in demand. And if you’ve just graduated from American National University’s Network Administration bachelor’s degree, you may be asking: what can I do with this degree?

Network Administrator

A network administrator is the first job that would come to mind when earning a network administration bachelor’s degree. They have a crucial role in maintaining an organization’s IT infrastructure. They are responsible for managing and troubleshooting networks to ensure that all systems remain secure, efficient, and connected. Their duties can typically include configuring routers and switches, monitoring network performance, implementing cybersecurity measures, and providing technical support to employees, among many other responsibilities depending on a business or organization’s needs. And as businesses increasingly rely on digital communication and cloud-based systems, skilled network administrators are essential to preventing downtime, optimizing performance, and safeguarding sensitive data. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy problem-solving, working with technology, and keeping organizations running smoothly in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Listings for this kind of job can lead to over 750 jobs on a LinkedIn United States search as of February 2025.

Systems Administrator

While the name is similar to the aforementioned role, there is a difference in responsibilities between the roles and how you would utilize your network administration degree in them. A systems administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining an organization’s IT systems, ensuring that servers, networks, and software operate efficiently and securely. Their duties include installing and configuring operating systems, managing user accounts and permissions, troubleshooting technical issues, and implementing security protocols to protect sensitive data, among many depending on the needs of the role. While similar to a network administrator, who focuses primarily on network infrastructure and connectivity, a systems administrator is more concerned with the overall functionality of IT systems, including servers, applications, and user access. They play a vital role in keeping an organization’s IT infrastructure running smoothly, minimizing downtime, and optimizing system efficiency. his career is well-suited for individuals who enjoy working with technology, solving complex problems, and ensuring seamless IT operations in a fast-paced digital world. A search for this job on Indeed in the United States can yield over 500 jobs as of February 2025.

Cybersecurity Analyst

A field that network administration degree holders can go into with their knowledge is cybersecurity. One of those jobs can include being a cybersecurity analyst. They are responsible for protecting an organization’s networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. Their duties include monitoring network activity for suspicious behavior, conducting vulnerability assessments, and implementing security measures such as firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems, as well as anything else a client would want protected within their computer networks. There would also be investigations on security breaches and education for employees for safe practices. With the rise of cyber threats, businesses rely on these professionals to safeguard sensitive information and ensure compliance with security regulations. This career is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, enjoy problem-solving, and are passionate about defending digital assets in an ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. In today’s digital age, cybersecurity jobs are many as companies need trained professionals to keep their trades and secrets under lock and key.

Cloud Administrator

As technology advances, so does the use of cloud computing. As more things become digital, there will be more of a need for those professionals to control a cloud-based computing environment. A cloud administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining an organization’s cloud computing infrastructure, ensuring that cloud-based systems run efficiently, securely, and reliably. Their duties include configuring cloud environments, managing user access and security settings, optimizing resource usage, and troubleshooting performance issues, with any other responsibility expected of them within their organization. Cloud administrators can work with platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to deploy and manage virtual servers, storage, and networking solutions. As more businesses migrate to the cloud, skilled cloud administrators are essential for maintaining scalable, cost-effective, and secure cloud environments. This career is perfect for individuals who enjoy working with cutting-edge technology, problem-solving, and optimizing cloud-based solutions in a rapidly growing field. This job search yields over 700 job postings within the United States on LinkedIn as of February 2025.

VoIP Engineer

Cell phones, mobile devices, tablets, iPads, and more are in use by millions if not billions of people all across the globe. With the expansion of these devices comes the need for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) engineers. They specialize in designing, implementing, and maintaining internet-based communication systems that enable voice and video calls over networks. Their responsibilities include configuring VoIP hardware and software, optimizing call quality, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and ensuring seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure. VoIP engineers also implement security measures to protect communication systems. They can work with systems like Cisco, Avaya, and Asterisk to manage call routing, voicemail systems, and communication systems. As businesses continue to shift from traditional phone systems to VoIP technology, these professionals play a crucial role in providing reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality communication solutions. This career is ideal for individuals who enjoy networking, problem-solving, and working with cutting-edge communication technologies. A job search for these careers can produce over 300 postings on Indeed as of February 2025.

Earning a Network Administration bachelor’s degree from American National University opens the door to a variety of in-demand IT careers as mentioned previously, among the many else that are available to these degree holders. With businesses increasingly relying on technology, skilled professionals are essential to keeping systems secure, efficient, and connected. At ANU, students gain hands-on training, industry-relevant knowledge, and the flexibility of online learning, preparing them for real-world challenges in IT. To learn more about our program and how it can help you earn the career you have been wanting, go to an.edu.

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American National University Accolades and Recognition

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 15:57:59 +0000

American National University has been recognized by many websites for our affordability, high quality programs and specializations, and more. These accolades reflect our dedication to providing students with a flexible, convenient, and affordable education so they can reach their career goals. See below for a list of designated distinctions we have received over the years.

#4 in 10 Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Computer Systems and Network Administration Degree Programs for 2020-2021 by Online Bachelor Degrees
#5 Best 15 Online Medical Assisting Associate’s Programs for 2020 by Best Health Degrees
#5 Top 10 Paralegal Programs in Washington DC for 2020 by Online Paralegal Programs
#2 in the Virginia for Secretary school in 2022 by Secretary-Schools.com
Named to the Cheapest Colleges in VA by Out of State Tuition 2021 list by CollegeCalc
Named the Best Paralegal Certificate Program for Student Support by The Balance Careers
#22 Best Online Associate in Medical Assisting Programs by Intelligent.com
Best Student to Faculty Ratio of Colleges in Kentucky by Intelligent.com
Best Stackable Degrees for Online Bachelor’s in Network Administration Programs by Intelligent.com

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Increase Employability and Leverage your Career with these Certifications

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 20:57:26 +0000

Finding a job can be a challenge but throw a pandemic into the mix and it feels downright impossible. Indeed.com acknowledged this truth in their recent article, “The 20 Most-Requested Certifications by Employers in 2020,” giving professionals ideas on how to level up their employability through certifications. Select programs at American National University and the University of Fairfax lend themselves to preparing students to take some of these certification exams, making themselves more employable and competitive in this tough job market.

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | Through ANU’s pharmacy technician diploma and associate’s degree programs, students learn topics explored in the computer-based exam, covering “recordkeeping, basic math, pharmaceutical laws, ethics, medical terms, and insurance.”
CompTIA Security+ Certification | ANU’s Associate of Network Support or Bachelor of Network Administration programs prepare students for success in the Security+ certification, beneficial for entry-level professionals in information security. This certification proves to employers that the individual certified is capable of tasks such as “managing risk, cryptography, identifying threats and working with network components.”
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | Indeed.com deemed CISSP as “arguably the most popular network security certification” due to its’ international recognition. The Master of Cybersecurity at ANU gives you sufficient background to pass the exam, “boost[ing]… your resume for managerial roles in the cybersecurity industry.” The University of Fairfax also offers a CISSP prep class for those who already meet the experiential requirements to take the certification exam.
Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) | An internationally acknowledged certification, the PMP certification gives the applicant leverage “as it gives employers confidence in your knowledge and project management skills.” The University of Fairfax’s Project Management and Quality Assurance Certificate prepares students for this exam – no prior higher education experience is required. In addition, ANU’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree program provides a path to achieving the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® designation, an entry-level certification for project management specialists.
Medical Assisting | At ANU, our Medical Assisting certificate and associate’s degree have been designed to prepare students for national certifications, such as the Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC). Students will work on developing the skills and techniques needed for employment as a medical assistant or phlebotomist in a wide variety of healthcare facilities.

See the ANU and UF websites for further information on the courses offered or speak with an admissions representative today to find out how you can begin the courses that can help to leverage your career.

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