Are you a Computer Systems Analyst?

MizAnnThrope

11 years ago

If so, will you share a bit about your job? I'm thinking of switching to this as a new career in my late 40s.

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Comments (12)

golfergrrl
11 years ago
Do you have a degree in computer science?

Here is a link that might be useful: job description
paula_pa
11 years ago
I'm a computer programmer and I don't have a degree in Computer Science. There are ways to enter the IT field without a degree in Computer Science.
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Are you a Computer Systems Analyst?
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I have been a Business Systems Analyst (aka BSA and BA) as well as a number of other non-developer IT roles (from tech writer to director). It very much depends on the company, but typically a Systems Analyst (vs a Business Analyst) is a much more technical role. In my experience, they were seasoned developers/architects but these days, the role is generally replaced by collaborative efforts of multiple team members. A business analyst position is one way to get into IT if you are switching careers. It has not been my experience that employers want MIT degrees for these roles-- in fact, it's been my experience that real life experience is preferable and that a masters is not at all an indicator as to a candidate's ability to perform the job. That said, I suspect that it would be beneficial, at least on paper, if you are looking to get into the industry without work experience. I have hired many BSAs over the years and it's one of the positions for which I actually seek someone with a varied background-- at least for the type of work we were doing. It is important that you have the aptitude to work on a technical team but it's just as important that you know how the business world works-- how people think and work and how they use software. Highly technical people-- developers-- don't always "get" the realities of the business world and non-technical people don't usually "get" how systems are developed. So the BSA serves as the liaison between the business units and the technical team. The BSA works with the business units to determine what they need-- not just what they think they need but what they need to interface with their other systems, to improve efficiency and to accomplish their business goals and initiatives. They then document these needs in a way that makes sense to the development team. The BSA is key to the success of the project because he/she ensures that everyone is on the same page and everyone knows what is needed. The skills required will vary a great deal depending on the company and the type of systems you are working on. Very different skills are required if you are developing a new system than if you are maintaining or customizing an existing system. As noted above, the skills required for any analyst position include exceptional communication skills-- both written and verbal. You will be writing requirements documents, gap analysis documents, creating presentations, facilitating meetings and preparing presentations. You'll also need good analytical skills. In my experience, this is something you have or you don't. While you can develop your skills, you need to be one of those people who naturally processes information in a logical and analytical way. That's a pretty high-level view -- but what I think may be a bigger issue is the job market. The IT industry has been hit pretty hard over the last 10 years and while you are seeing jobs in the field, companies have become much more demanding in what they expect-- and they're paying much less. Requirements and salary will vary a lot by the type of company and the location. I've worked for large corporations and abhor the environment-- but I'll say that you're more likely to see a project team adequately staffed in a large corp. I know that's in stark contrast to what Gibby has seen-- so perhaps we are in different areas and/or different industries. Either way, small companies or large companies, BSA salaries are down-- but that does play to your advantage to some degree because they are also filling more entry level positions. Salaries will vary by region but what I've seen, you are looking at 65-85K-- a little more in the cities and a little less for entry level. I generally hired at the top of that scale-- but I also expected a lot of my analysts (including the ability to fill other roles in QA and Project Management). Sorry, I've received a few phone calls while writing this-- too many stops and starts. I am sure there's much more to say but I am going to leave it here for now. If you have questions after after reading these posts, feel free to contact me directly. Good luck to you!
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dees_1
11 years ago
I am a systems engineer and I don't have a degree at all. What I possess that makes me successful is general business knowledge and logical thinking.

The one thing I will warn you about computer/systems analyst positions is this - they can be offshored. You need to find a very smal market to start into the field and then work from there.

I fell into this job after many years in HR but it was a natural progression for me.
golfergrrl
11 years ago
I was also a programmer without a college degree, but that
was eons ago. I took a test and was sent to IBM training by my
employer. There are many new and past college
grads out there with IT degrees who can't find a job even at
an entry level. You just don't walk in the door and learn
how to be a systems analyst in 6 months. It's a very high
level position.
nicole__
11 years ago
IBM hired "me" right out of college...a 2 yr degree in Computer Information Technology and it was because of "WHO" I knew...not what I knew that I got hired. I should mention that they had a plant shut town, typical in the high tech industry before I got that far up the ladder....

(I was working @ Sears putting myself through college and a girl in housewares, night crew, was always bored, so on my breaks I'd stop by and chat. She went back to college & took a postion as a secretary for the lady that was doing the hiring for the IBM position, saw my name come up as an applicant....and they together...got me hired without an interview)
LuAnn_in_PA
11 years ago
Maybe this will help....
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm

But that's in the USA, and I think the OP is not.

Here is a link that might be useful: Computer Systems Analyst
monica_pa Grieves
11 years ago
Have you experience with a variety of operating systems?
Know a programming or scripting language?
A variety of server operating systems?
Database programs?

If the extent of your experience is just using a PC, you need some formal education.
marie_ndcal
11 years ago
I think you posted earlier asking about jobs and am curious why you picked this job without any training. What college do you have and what have you been doing. That might help the people here to help you out further. Hard to recommend something with out knowing a person's background especially since you mentioned there might be a age problem. Just curious. Remember there are many people in their 20-30 age bracket you could be competing against. I have a friend in his mid 30's who designs software, no college, and out of work for almost 2 years.
MizAnnThrope
Original Author
11 years ago
Paula, please elaborate on "There are ways to enter the IT field without a degree in Computer Science."

LuAnn, I have looked at that exact link, recommended on another thread. Why do you think I'm not in U.S?

Obviously, in switching careers, I'm aware that I'll need additional education/training.
monica_pa Grieves
11 years ago
You can enter the IT field by getting real OJT experience at a small company where you are able to "pick up" skills and develop a track record of proving your ability to analyze business processes and develop ways of improving the flow of business properties.

I was a Systems Analyst for years and also taught systems and data base courses for major IT companies. I never got a degree, but in the early years, I took evening courses at colleges and tech schools.

I started out in the mid 60's as a keypunch operator, and was fortunate to be in small workplaces where I learned operations, and was eager to learn additional skills and take on extra work.

Easy to do at 18. I was in my early 30's before I became a programmer, then analyst, and was then hired by a computer company to work with customers

In my beginning database design and programming classes, I had a "loosening up" and private analysis of students to test their ability to design a simple process. It broke the ice, because the task was simply to write down the exact movements of a robot to walk up to the front of the classroom, sit down in a chair facing the class, and then walk back to their seat.
The written instructions were then passed on to another student, and a 3rd was told to follow those instructions exactly.
A lot of laughter and bumping into walls, etc. as people realized that an automated process needs very specific instructions.

Good planing skills are a must.
bigfoot_liz
11 years ago
I have a friend working as a mid level computer systems analyst who had no prior training in computers at all. She has a degree in physiology, wanted to be a physical therapist, from Purdue. She left the start of grad school & moved w her new DH to CO and started working for State Farm as an adjuster. She moved her way up a management ladder, moved back to Indy for State Farm and then was sent back to CO but they wanted to move back home. Her DH took a job w a diff major insurance co in Indy (he is a project manager) , she initially got a lower level job at the same company then decided to apply for systems analyst at the recommendation of a co-worker in that dept. They hired her immediately because she was trainable and is VERY detail oriented. She has worked there for 7+ yrs now. LOVES her job most days LOL ~ liz
LuAnn_in_PA
11 years ago
"LuAnn, I have looked at that exact link, recommended on another thread. Why do you think I'm not in U.S? "

MsAnnThrope, on city-data, lives in Australia. I thought you were one in the same.

Are you a Computer Systems Analyst?

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golfergrrl

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