Cloud computing has become a prevalent technology with many valuable applications in modern life. The increased turnover has allowed the demand for jobs related to this industry to grow at breakneck speed.
Organizations rely on cloud computing more and more to measure their database operations across computing processes and infrastructure.
It is when businesses need IT analysts to make sure the technology process is still running efficiently. If you are curious about how to become a computer systems analyst, continue reading the article below.
What Do Computer Systems Analysts Do?
Before diving deeper into the matter, you will be wondering what a computer systems analyst’s fundamental role is.
The main task of these professionals is to manage the organization’s computer systems. They need in-depth data to analyze and recommend solutions.
To work at the best productivity, computer systems analysts need to cooperate with other departments in the process of working.
Some of their jobs include researching and installing software and hardware for new devices. They are also responsible for communicating the method of use to the user.
They also support cybersecurity efforts to deter attackers from targeting digital assets.
3 Types of Computer Systems Analysts
There are three types of jobs for systems analysts. Each position and job has different properties for you to choose from.
1. Systems Analyst
Systems analysts have a job helping companies and organizations use computer technology more effectively.
These specialists’ main task is to analyze the costs and benefits of new technology systematically. From there, they will introduce it to other organization members so that everyone understands how to use the system.
Often this position will have the most people working in the current industry. They play an essential role in the development of the organization.
2. QA Engineer
Quality assurance engineers check the computer’s performance and identify problems in the system.
These professionals, of course, will not work alone but always have a support team. They will actively detect and correct errors that appear in a program.
So, the system will always maintain its quality to function as best as possible.
3. IT Manager
IT managers are the team managers and are responsible for arranging everything to go smoothly. Their work often revolves around the organization’s computer systems.
Their primary responsibility is to manage users on the company system and the organization’s network. In addition, these professionals need to upgrade the system to ensure quality periodically.
How To Become a Computer Systems Analyst
After learning about the jobs and responsibilities of a computer systems analyst, it’s time to explore its career map. Basically, the process to enter this profession consists of the following steps.
1. Earn Bachelor’s Degrees
A bachelor’s degree is one of the minimum requirements for professions requiring high knowledge and techniques such as IT system analysis.
You can choose to study computing science or any related discipline.
However, things may not be as simple as that. The high and growing demand for the cloud technology sector has raised the industry’s requirements.
Analysts who want to go further in their careers may consider improving their knowledge of management IT systems.
This training program combines information technology knowledge and relevant business principles smoothly. As a result, students can implement different practical resolutions for businesses. Some notable courses and topics include:
- Management Principles: By taking this class, students are exposed to various management concepts. Some of the knowledge includes ethics, business structure, leadership, and team building.
The content mainly revolves around the organization’s decision-making process so that students can be better prepared to work in a professional environment.
- Database Design: The purpose of this lesson is to give students the basics of different languages. It is applicable in database and systems design.
By joining, you can learn how to use tools to analyze business data and find complex relationships between them.
2. Advance Your Skills
Professional systems analysts need to constantly hone their skills and expertise to keep up with innovations in the field. Take regular classes to learn about innovative technologies.
Your career goals and interests will determine how you improve your skills. Leadership skills and organizational knowledge are essential if you want to go into business.
However, the new technical aspect is the one that computer systems experts pay attention to. They need to learn how to run the company’s software and hardware.
If you have more knowledge, you can tinker with how to code the software to create their custom tools.
Another way to improve your skills is to participate in boot camps. Some notable topics are cybersecurity or other online IT courses.
Bootcamps are one of the most effective ways to become proficient in tools and technology. These skills are efficient for you to apply at work.
The duration of the bootcamps is usually quite focused and short, focusing only on a particular topic. Upon completion, you will have the skills and knowledge to advance faster in your career.
If you want a better job opportunity, look into coding or cybersecurity bootcamps.
The biggest downside of bootcamps is that the training time is too fast, and the focus is on practice exercises. So try learning about the class or learning the basics before you start.
Group projects are also part of the curriculum you should pay attention to. The ability to work in a team is an indispensable factor.
If you want a more flexible schedule, check out part-time or part-time online bootcamps.
3. Get Your First Job
After studying and cultivating enough knowledge, students can start a job to apply theory to practice.
The most common strategies for getting an attractive job are to invest in a good resume and prepare interview questions. You will also have better offers if you have more connections with industry experts.
General requirements for a computer systems analyst position will include education and practical experience. Cultivate them a lot to score points with employers and gain experience.
The key to all is to make the most of the opportunities in the learning and practice process to get the most out of it.
Depending on your area of expertise, consider adding certifications to your resume. It will help you impress potential employers.
Adding an advanced degree or quality certifications will help raise the net salary and the benefits of fundamental analysts.
According to a Global Knowledge report, IT professionals can increase their average salary from $12,000 to $13,000 when they add a new credential.
Organizations recognize the value of computer systems analysts, professionalism, and initiative in improving their skills.
4. Earn Master’s Degrees
While a bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum for an analyst to land a lucrative job, a master’s degree or higher will put you in the right place for promotion.
After working as an analyst for many years, consider pursuing a master’s degree program that fits your qualifications and goals.
Some of the most popular and standard programs that you can refer to include:
- Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity
Data is at the heart of every organization. Companies need to strengthen their cybersecurity systems to protect them as technology advances. This program focuses on the lessons of user privacy and legal limits.
Students participating in the study will practice skills to proactively detect, reduce and fight against constant threats in cyberspace.
- Master of Business Administration in IT
The training content of this program focuses on helping computer systems professionals convert technical skills into practical strategies.
With a strong focus on IT resource design and advanced database management, this program is highly suitable for professionals. It is one of the factors to help you achieve top positions.
- Master of Science (MS) in Software Development
Organizations need to change to keep up with rapidly evolving technology constantly. The company needs people who can innovate with the latest changes, make fewer mistakes, and lower costs.
Essential Skills
To become an excellent expert in computer analysis, you need to equip yourself with some necessary soft skills. These skills help you get the job done easier and with better results.
Analysis and Investigation
A business tends to collect and build databases from many different sources. This data can effectively support the future activities of the organization.
The job of data analysts is to synthesize them and interpret them to make predictions about the future. Doing so guides the organization’s following action decisions, such as new software improvements or performance upgrades.
After each project implementation, these experts are also tasked with evaluating and reviewing the iniative failure or success.
Communicative
Since the information technology department often works directly with the company’s management, communication skills are certainly indispensable.
It helps you maintain a seamless relationship with your customers and negotiate with leadership.
The people you work with often don’t understand the IT jargon. Computer analysts should also explore and uncover potential IT solutions for all stakeholders.
Because of the nature of a technical profession, they will be exposed to many standard terms that are difficult for non-specialists to understand. Experts need to find a way to explain them.
Creativity
Systems analysts need to face complex technology issues throughout their work constantly. Without enough passion, you will quickly get tired and lose interest.
In addition, these professionals need to be equipped with creativity and constant innovation. Job requirements will sometimes force them to come up with non-traditional solutions.
With thousands of new technologies hitting the market, only smart analysts can explore and speculate on the possibilities.
Job Outlook
After learning about all the necessary processes and skills for computer systems analysts, many people will be curious about the future and compensation of this profession.
Let’s explore a little bit of the potential of being an analyst below. The information will include salary and future recruitment needs.
Demand
Systems analysts often work in many different environments. The organizations they join can be for-profit, non-profit, or even non-governmental organizations.
Many factors determine the growth rate of the required systems analyst job.
Some examples include cybersecurity threats and the adoption of cloud computing—the application of technology in healthcare and similar fields.
According to the report of BLS, within ten years, from 2020 to 2030, the career demand for systems analysts will increase by about 7%. It is a growing industry compared with a medium growth rate of 5%.
It is predicted that 47,500 new jobs will be opened in the market each year.
The main reason for this growth is the rising prospects in the healthcare sector. The application of information technology to medical records and services is the best example.
Salary
A computer systems analyst’s median salary is $99,270 per year. It means every hour; an expert will earn $44.73.
Salaries can range from $55,180 to $147,670 for the lowest and highest earners. In the information technology field, this is a well-paying career.
Conclusion
The road to becoming a computer systems analyst is not easy and smooth. In fact, you will need to hone your skills and knowledge continuously so as not to be left behind and behind the times.
Even so, its career road has similarities with other information technology professions. The summary steps include:
- Earn Bachelor’s degrees.
- Advance your skills.
- Get your first job.
- Earn a Master’s degree.
The key to success here is a passion for learning, good communication, and analytical skills. Make sure you have these soft skills to advance your career.
Hopefully, you will soon fulfill your dream of becoming a talented analyst in the future. Thank you for reading.