Exchange Administrator

Exchange Administrator is a role that may be attractive to learners and students of online courses. An Exchange Administrator will work in a number of different positions and roles as the job description will vary depending on the institution or company employing the Exchange Administrator. Some Exchange Administrators may spend time working on high-level systems managing data recovery and security. Other Exchange Administrators may spend time focusing on user accounts and user permissions, as well as general upkeep and maintenance of systems. No matter what an Exchange Administrator does, the individual in this role is responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and administration of Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Exchange Online technologies in on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. To be successful in this role, one will need strong networking skills and knowledge. The ability to keep up with and sometimes be ahead of the technological curve is also a great asset.

Skills You'll Want to Develop

Many different skills are necessary to succeed in this role. Some of these skills may be developed through online courses, while others will require more hands-on experience. Some of the skills you will need to succeed in this role include:

• Strong and demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Exchange Online technologies.
• Experience with deploying, managing and troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Server in on-premises and cloud environments.
• Experience with designing and implementing messaging solutions that meet business requirements.
• Experience with managing and troubleshooting email, calendars, contacts, and other messaging applications.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with users, administrators, and vendors.

Additionally, Exchange Administrators can benefit from having skills in the following areas:

• Networking and Network Administration
• Security and Compliance
• Cloud Computing
• Scripting and Automation
• Project Management

A Day in the Life

In this role, no two days will ever be exactly alike. Generally, Exchange Administrators will spend time performing the following tasks:

• Monitoring and maintaining Exchange Server and Exchange Online environments
• Deploying and managing email, calendars, contacts, and other messaging applications
• Managing and troubleshooting user accounts and user permissions
• Providing technical support to users and administrators
• Working with other IT professionals to ensure that messaging systems are integrated with other business applications

Those in this role may be responsible for training and onboarding new users and updating documentation. They will also be responsible for making sure the organization is up to date on all of the latest security patches and updates.

Exchange Administrators may work independently or as part of a team. They may work in a variety of settings, including corporate offices, government agencies, and educational institutions.

Self Projects

There are many things you can do to get started on your way to becoming an Exchange Administrator. The first step is to take courses in the fundamentals of IT. Many colleges and universities offer online courses. Courses in the following areas can be a great start for someone who wants to progress toward a career as an Exchange Administrator:

• Networking and Network Administration
• Security and Compliance
• Cloud Computing
• Scripting and Automation
• Project Management

Once you have a strong foundation in IT, you can start to focus on learning about Exchange Server and Exchange Online. Microsoft offers a variety of online courses that can help you get started.

In addition to taking courses, you can also gain experience by working on your own projects. You can set up an Exchange Server or Exchange Online environment on your own computer. You can then use this environment to practice deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Exchange Server and Exchange Online.

How Online Online Courses Can Help

Many online courses that may be helpful for a learner progressing toward the goal of Exchange Administrator can teach valuable skills such as:

• Deploying and managing Exchange Server in on-premises and cloud environments.
• Designing and implementing messaging solutions that meet business requirements.
• Managing and troubleshooting email, calendars, contacts, and other messaging applications.
• Managing and troubleshooting user accounts and user permissions.

These courses may provide students with access to lecture videos, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs. Online courses can be a great way to learn the basics of Exchange Server and Exchange Online, and they can also help you prepare for the Microsoft Exchange certification exams.

While online courses can be a helpful tool for learning about Exchange Server and Exchange Online, they are not enough on their own to prepare you for a career as an Exchange Administrator. This career usually requires at least some hands-on experience, as well as some additional training and certification. Practical experience is necessary to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to troubleshoot and manage Exchange Server and Exchange Online technologies. Hands-on experience may come in the form of setting up your own Exchange Server or Exchange Online environment, working on projects at your current job, or volunteering to help out with Exchange Server and Exchange Online deployments or migrations.

Conclusion

Exchange Administrator is a rewarding career that offers a variety of opportunities for professional growth. If you are interested in a career in IT, then Exchange Administrator may be a good fit for you.