Computer Systems Analyst

Career Overview

Computer systems analysts combine the business and information technology needs and capabilities of an organization to design information systems that are more effective and efficient.

Education

A four-year bachelor's degree in computer or information science may be required to obtain these positions. A higher degree (master's) in business (MBA) or a similar field will make an individual more valuable.

Future Outlook

Employment of computer systems analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. As organizations across the economy increase their reliance on information technology (IT), analysts will be hired to design and install new computer systems.

Work Environment

Computer systems analysts typically work for companies related to computer systems design, information, insurance, or finance. Some work for organizations while others work as consultants. Some consultants may work remotely, so some travel may be required.

Recommended High School Courses

Computer Programming
Computer Science
Business
Communication

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
Test software performance.
Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
Modify software programs to improve performance.
Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
Write computer programming code.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
Manage information technology projects or system activities.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Configure computer networks.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Document design or development procedures.
Train others in computer interface or software use.
Develop diagrams or flow charts of system operation.
Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
Read documents to gather technical information.
Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
Design integrated computer systems.
Identify information technology project resource requirements.
Collect data about customer needs.
Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.

Schools

Adams State University

Albion College

Albright College

Alfred State College

Allegheny College

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American University

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Bob Jones University

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Boston College

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Bradley University

Brandeis University

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Bucknell University

Cal Poly Pomona

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Carnegie Mellon Universit...

Central New Mexico Commun...

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Colorado School Of Mines

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Connecticut College

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Herzing College- Montr...

Ibt College

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Nipissing University

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Trent University- Pete...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$55,180.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$90,920.00 /yr

High End:

$147,670.00 /yr

Related Careers

Database Administrator

Information Technology Manager

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Systems Analyst

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.