5 Common IT Job Roles And What They Do

If you are involved in IT, or are interested in a career in information technology, knowing the terminology is valuable. It will help you comprehend what your chosen industry is talking about – and most importantly, understand what’s expected of you.

First and foremost, understand that not all technical positions are created equal. There’s a large difference between a systems administrator and a website developer and the only thing they have in common is they’re both “technical”. This list is going to focus on IT positions that can be found within an IT managed services provider (MSP) like ours.

Help Desk Technician

A help desk technician is the first point of contact for end-users who have questions, problems or complaints about their company’s computer systems. Help desk technicians are usually responsible for answering and resolving computer-related questions from all employees in a company. Typically this is done remotely over the phone and by accessing the user’s computer if necessary. They may also perform routine maintenance, such as installing or upgrading software.

Help desk technicians may work in a call center or as part of an onsite support team at the client’s office. They often work in collaboration with other IT professionals such as network administrators and systems analysts to resolve complex issues that span multiple systems and technologies. In addition to technical skills, help desk technicians must also possess excellent customer service skills because they are often required to explain technical details to non-technical users who may be unfamiliar with computers and related technologies.

Field Technician

A field technician is someone who troubleshoots, installs, and maintains computer systems in the field. They will often visit client sites to help fix problems with their computers or networks. Their job duties can include everything from installing new hardware to monitoring the health of a system.

Field techs are often called upon to troubleshoot problems with computers and other devices that cannot be easily resolved over the phone or otherwise need repair or maintenance.

Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst’s main job responsibility is protecting a company’s network and systems from potential threats. However, this job can also include other responsibilities such as managing security policies and procedures, performing penetration testing, researching new technologies and products, monitoring threats and vulnerabilities, implementing firewalls and antivirus software, or providing training for employees on how to deal with such threats.

Network Engineer

A network engineer is responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of computer network systems. The duties of this position include installing and integrating new computer equipment, configuring existing systems for optimal performance and troubleshooting problems with networks or individual computers. They often work on team projects with other IT professionals.

Network engineers must be familiar with a wide range of technologies related to networking, including computer hardware and software, wireless communication protocols, security practices, and more. They must also have strong communication skills in order to work effectively with others in their organizations as well as outside vendors who may provide additional services such as technical support or maintenance on behalf of their employers.

Systems Administrator

A system administrator is responsible for ensuring that the IT infrastructure of an organization is running efficiently. The system administrator must know how to troubleshoot problems and make adjustments in order to keep the system running smoothly.

System administrators are also responsible for setting up new computers and making sure they have all of the necessary software installed on them. This includes installing antivirus software, operating systems, and other programs that will be used by employees.

Takeaway

There is no one universal definition for an IT professional. The job titles used may be different depending on who you ask and where you are. But with that said, the value of IT to modern businesses is undeniable. Perhaps the easiest way to explain what IT professionals do these days is to say that they perform a variety of vital functions in support of business goals and objectives.