What I do as a systems administrator

The job of systems administrator is so varied that not even the System Administrator's Guild can create a definition valid for all systems administrators. Some have college degrees, some don't. Many have no certifications, and are self-taught. Some aren't even called systems administrators. Even if their job description includes "systems administrator", many perform tasks unrelated to systems administration. Here's a incomplete unordered list of things I do:

• Manage software installation on workstations and servers.
• Setup network monitoring and notification procedures.
• Assist users in solving problems they encounter, à la help-desk.
• Track down network and hardware problems.
• Call in outside support as needed.
• Inform users of planned network outages.
• Manage ticket-tracking software to ensure prompt, orderly solutions to problems.
• Setup and manage a reliable backup and archiving system.
• Organize special room use, particularly for the MCM modeling competition.
• Provide reliable, spam-free (as far as possible) email transfer.
• Provide reliable, secure user access to email over IMAP, POP, and webmail.
• Maintain a variety of database backends, including Postgres and MySQL.
• Maintain useful, usable documentation for users on the use of the computer systems.
• Install new copper and fiber optic cabling as needed.