Education · 1 of 4

The path

Certifications and proof you can fix things matter more here than in almost any other technical field.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Computer science if offered, plus math. Build a home server, break it, fix it. That experience is what you will talk about in interviews.

2. 2

   Associate degree or a bachelor's degree

   2 to 4 years

   Employers typically want a bachelor's in computer science or a related field, but many accept a two year degree or a certificate plus experience.

3. 3

   First job on a help desk

   1 to 2 years

   Password resets, broken laptops, printers. Unglamorous, and the fastest way to learn how an organization really works.

4. 4

   Get certified

   Alongside work

   A networking and a security certification first, then a platform one for the systems your employer actually runs.

5. 5

   Systems administrator

   From year 2 or 3

   You now own servers, accounts, backups and security permissions for real people.