A Guide On How To Become A Systems Analyst
One requirement for becoming a systems analyst is having a bachelor’s degree in computer science. A degree certificate in information science or other.
Of course, there are many jobs you can apply for as a fresh graduate to gain more experience. I’ll advise that you look for jobs in the IT industry that will provide you with enterprise infrastructure and systems experience.
There are tons of benefits attached to becoming a Systems Analyst in a reputable organization. At least, you’ll stand a chance to earn a better salary and perks by becoming an analyst. Besides, being a Systems Analyst is your ticket to stimulating your career growth and increasing it to a higher level in the Information Technology space.
But here’s a burning question; how do you become a Systems Analyst? If you’re interested in getting an answer that matters to the question above, then this article is for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about Systems Analyst
Systems Analyst career: Is it worth it?
Before going into details about what Systems Analyst is all about, let’s start with this question – is becoming a systems analyst worth it.
As with other jobs across the world, one thing you need to keep in mind is that the systems analyst career isn’t for everyone. You need to meet certain requirements and have a strong interest to become successful in this job.
Choosing a Systems Analyst career is certainly worth it; here’s why below:
- First, do you have an interest in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Management? If yes, then becoming a Systems Analyst position is a good way to achieve your dream job. You’ll most certainly be working with various computer systems in your organizations to solve different problems efficiently.
- You’ll receive a better salary by becoming a Systems Analyst. According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay of a Systems Analyst in the US is $72,176 yearly. By calculation, that’s roughly $40 hourly or $1,594 weekly. Matter of fact, experts say that organizations across the globe can always pay as high as $112,000 yearly for top systems analysts.
- Systems Analysts also get various perks, depending on the companies they work with. For instance, some organizations often give their employees health insurance, sick leave, and even paid vacation. By becoming a Systems Analyst in a good company, you’ll get the chance to travel to seminars, trade shows, and training.
- Systems Analysts are in high demand in today’s market. This is another reason why starting this career is worthwhile. Systems Analysts are in high demand because most firms depend heavily on quality data to prevent costly data errors.
Duties of Systems Analysts
Systems analysts perform several roles in every business setup. You can check down to see some of their duties:
- First, systems analysts’ primary function is to troubleshoot and provide solutions that matter to database program issues.
- They are also in charge of creating reports on cost analysis and cost-efficiency.
- Their duty also includes formally training system users, and researching, assessing, and evaluating various technologies in the company.
- They are also responsible for designing new frameworks and computer systems for the company.
- Systems analysts’ responsibility is to understand exactly what every system user requires. After that, they must understand exactly what to do to improve various systems based on these requirements. One way they make this happen is by talking to various users.
- They are also responsible for producing specifications for both modified and new systems.
- Systems analysts must be able to communicate easily with the stakeholders on how the company can invest in innovative systems.
Here are the 4 steps to becoming a Systems Analyst
You need the right information for you to become a successful systems analyst. The following steps will guide you on what you need to do:
1. You need a bachelor’s degree in computer science
One requirement for becoming a systems analyst is having a bachelor’s degree in computer science. A degree certificate in information science or other relevant courses is good. If you have a strong interest in pursuing a career in system analysis, you need to get a college degree.
However, if you’re still not sure whether the job is for you, one thing you can do is schedule a meeting with a systems analyst around you. This way, you’ll get more information about this profession, including the challenges attached to it.
Of course, there’s no way you can study to become a systems analyst without having a good grade in mathematics and physics. In addition, you need to have problem-solving skills.
If you don’t want to study Computer Science or Information Science, other relevant courses you may consider are Computer programming, Management Information Systems, or Database and Business Management.
2. Get certified
Having a bachelor’s degree in a relevant course alone isn’t enough to start a career as a Systems Analyst. In addition, you need to earn some relevant certifications.
Many people with a bachelor’s degree are also looking to occupy the same systems analyst position. But how do you stand out from these people? Here’s where the importance of having relevant certifications comes into play.
Of course, there are many jobs you can apply for as a fresh graduate to gain more experience. I’ll advise that you look for jobs in the Information Technology space that will provide you the much-needed experience with enterprise infrastructure and systems.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) offers some of the best certifications in the industry. As such, I’ll advise you to go for the CompTIA A+ Certification. Other credentials you can consider earning to become a successful systems analyst are CASP+, CompTIA Security+, and CompTIA CySA+.
3. Look for your first job
After earning your college degree, you must look for your first job as a systems analyst. With a good grade, you should be able to land your first job. However, you need to craft a compelling resume and send applications to the right organizations.
4. Get a master’s degree in a relevant field
Even after getting your first job as a systems analyst, I’m sure you don’t want to remain stagnant. Here’s where you need to support your certifications with a higher degree – a Master’s degree to be precise.
You only have a few options here; first, you may consider earning an MBA certificate in Information Technology. Apart from that, you can also consider becoming a Master of Science in information security, Master of Science in Software Development, or Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity, low-code development, new interface designs, and progressive web apps are some of the future trends in the IT industry. By becoming a Systems Analyst, you can always keep up with these trends. Start your career path today by earning a bachelor’s degree in a recognized institution.
