The effective functioning of a company’s computer structure and systems is pivotal to the security and protection of her information. This is especially true in these days where computer hackers are in the habit of exploiting vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the computer security systems of companies and even the software products of large organizations for their incessant gains. These challenges and hassles in protecting and securing information had led to the need for the Computer Systems Analyst.
A computer systems analyst is one who safeguards a company’s current computer systems and procedures, by helping them find ways to have them operate more effectively and efficiently. Also known as system architects, they design solutions to aid organizations run their operations smoothly and effectively. This they do by studying the organization’s current computer systems and procedures to put together a system that helps them work well, without any hassles or difficulties. By so doing, they act as a merger between the business and information technology (IT) world, help to understand the needs and limitations of both worlds. Sounds quite interesting right?
In this guide, we want to help you understand all you need to know about the Computer Systems Analyst Career so you can explore the opportunities available in this career path, should you choose to take it.
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Why become a Computer Systems Analyst?
Most people who become Computer Systems Analyst choose the career path because of the high employment growth rate. Statistics show that the growth rate is projected to grow about 9 percent over the next ten years, which is explicitly faster and higher, compared to the average of all occupations. In recent years in the IT world, most companies (both big and small businesses) have begun to adopt the cloud computing architecture, making the demand for computer systems analysts on the increase. In addition, the increased use of IT services and procedures in the health care sector has also brought about an appreciable demand for these systems analyst workers.
Another obvious reason why one could choose to become a Computer systems Analyst is the salary structure. On a yearly basis, the median annual wage for computer systems analysts is $90,920. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Thus from the median wage structure, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $55,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $147,670. This is huge salary base is often attributed to the increase demand for the computer systems analyst in most companies and organizations.
Important Qualities for Computer Systems Analysts
In becoming a computer systems analyst, some qualities is expected of one so as to effectively function in this occupation. They include:
A. Communication skills: the analysts work as a middle man between the management and the IT department and must help explain complex issues to both parties in a way they can both understand, hence the need for good communication skills.
B. Creativity Skills: the work of the analyst is such that they often have to “think outside the box” in a bid to find durable and effective solutions to computer problems of organizations. This calls for high level of innovation and creativity in operation.
C. Analytical skills. The analyst often has to figure out how changes in the architecture or computer structure can affect a project. This requires interpreting complex information from various sources before deciding the best way to move a project forward. This involves highly analytical abilities.
What Computer Systems Analysts Do?
A lot of computer systems analysts are general-purpose analysts who simply help develop new systems or maintain existing ones; however, there are some others who tend to be more specialized in their line of operation. These specialized systems analysts are as follows:
A. Programmer analysts: these design and update the computer system’s software as well as create applications to meet the organizational needs. Their work involves more of coding and debugging computer software programs, as compared to other types of computer analyst.
B. Software quality assurance (QA) analysts: the work of these analysts is to do in-depth testing and diagnosis of problems of the systems that has been designed by them. This is necessary so as to meet the critical requirements for effective and smooth running of the systems. Invariably, they write reports to the management of the company, to help recommend efficient ways to improve the system.
Other duties of the computer systems analysts are:
They help recommend and configure hardware and software so as to design and implement new systems.
They look out for ways to add new functionality or features to existing computer systems.
They research new trends and emergence in technologies so as to ascertain the benefit an organization can gain from using them, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
They help prepare the cost analysis and benefits to the organization management to aid their decision making process, as to the need or necessity for the financial upgrades of IT computing and infrastructures.
They consult with the organizational managers to determine the roles IT systems play in an organization.
How to Become a Computer Systems Analyst
A. Get a bachelor’s degree: although it is often common to see people go get a degree in a computer or information science field, this is not most often a requirement by most companies. A couple of firms do hire analyst with business or liberal arts degrees who have information technology skills.
Education for Computer Systems Analysts
Most computer systems analysts often tend to have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. However due to the fact that these analysts also are heavily involved in the business side of a company, it becomes highly helpful to take business courses or at least a major in management information systems.
In addition, some employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), alongside a concentration in information systems
