The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that computer systems analysts earn a median salary of nearly $80,000 per year, which is pretty good pay for a job that basically requires you to keep tabs on your company\u2019s computer system and decide when it needs to be upgraded for greater efficiency or to better meet the needs of the company as a whole. Okay, that\u2019s a rather simplistic evaluation of the complex job that a computer systems analyst performs. But you get the basic idea. Luckily, you don\u2019t need a master\u2019s degree from MIT to do this job. You will, of course, need a background in computer sciences, as well as a specific skillset, and targeted training will no doubt be required in order to qualify for such jobs. So if you\u2019re interested in becoming a computer systems analyst, here are just a few educational milestones you\u2019ll probably want to hit before you start applying for jobs.<\/p>\n
In truth, you\u2019re almost certainly going to want to obtain a bachelor\u2019s degree in computer science, information sciences, management information systems, or perhaps even business (since computer systems analysts are tasked with creating a harmonious marriage between a business and its computer system). But more likely than not, any company looking to hire a computer systems analyst will prefer a candidate who holds a degree in some kind of computer-related field. Some businesses even scout candidates that have an MBA with an emphasis in computer technology. But for most jobs, a bachelor\u2019s degree will suffice. That said, you may face some competition for jobs, and holding certain certifications could set you apart from the pack.<\/p>\n
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this field are expected to increase by more than 20% between 2010 and 2020, but the number of people going into computer technology trades is also increasing. Whole generations of kids are now growing up with computer technology ingrained in in their lives. As a result, it is more common to see them entering college with computer-related majors and going on to computer occupations. Working with computer systems is no longer allocated to the brainy elite; it is now something that a large portion of the populace could conceivably learn to do. As a result, the competition for such jobs is likely to grow. So in addition to a bachelor\u2019s degree, you might want to add several certifications to your resume if you plan to become a computer systems analyst.<\/p>\n
Because so many businesses use Microsoft products, it\u2019s probably a good idea to become a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), as well as a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD). The first qualifies you to work with Microsoft products by endowing you with an advances set of analytical skills specific to their software, while the second infers the ability to use Microsoft development tools and technologies to come up with system solutions. You should also consider becoming a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). With this final certification you should be able to address security concerns related to business computer systems, something that could give you an edge in the hiring process.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re trying to find the best fanless box PC, networking software, or other components to upgrade computer systems, you\u2019re tracking employee requests and complaints to try to engineer a system that better meets the employees\u2019 needs, or you\u2019re working on solutions that will increase efficiency and profitability, being a computer systems analyst can be a challenging and exciting career. And with the right education and certifications under your belt you\u2019ll have all the skills and qualifications needed to excel in your chosen field.<\/p>\n
To become a Computer Systems Analyst<\/strong>, formal certifications are not strictly required, but they can greatly enhance your job prospects, skills, and earning potential. Here are some certifications that are commonly sought after in the field:<\/p>\n Offered by ISACA, this certification is highly respected for those focused on information systems auditing, control, and security. It’s ideal for analysts working with business technology systems, information security, or governance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you’re focused on the business side of IT systems and want to excel at requirements gathering, business analysis, and problem-solving, this certification is a great choice. It’s offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n A good entry-level certification for anyone just starting in IT, it covers the basics of hardware, software, networking, and security. It can be useful for foundational knowledge in systems analysis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This is another entry-level certification that is widely respected in IT. It focuses on computer hardware and software troubleshooting, which is essential for understanding the systems you’ll be analyzing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Microsoft offers various certifications for IT professionals, and being certified in their systems (especially cloud-based solutions like Azure) is beneficial for a systems analyst.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If your role as a systems analyst involves a strong focus on security, this certification can demonstrate advanced knowledge in the field of information security.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n While not specific to systems analysis, many projects involve a combination of IT systems and business process analysis. Being certified in project management can help you manage these initiatives effectively.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you’re working with databases, particularly Oracle systems, an OCP certification can demonstrate your expertise in database management and system analysis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If your work involves Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, becoming a ScrumMaster can help demonstrate your ability to facilitate teams and manage IT development projects.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) focuses on best practices for managing IT services. If your role includes system design and ensuring IT services meet business needs, this certification can be valuable.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Programming Languages<\/strong>: While not a certification, familiarity with programming languages like Python, Java, or SQL can make you more effective in systems analysis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Business Analysis Tools<\/strong>: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Visio or enterprise software such as SAP or Salesforce may also be beneficial, depending on the systems you’ll be analyzing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In addition to certifications, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science<\/strong>, Information Systems<\/strong>, Business Information Systems<\/strong>, or a related field is often required. Some roles may also require or prefer a Master’s degree<\/strong> or specialized training.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that computer systems analysts earn a median salary of nearly $80,000 per year, which is pretty good pay for a job that basically requires you to keep tabs on your company\u2019s computer system and decide when it needs to be upgraded for greater efficiency or to better meet the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":1090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[50,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career","category-computer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1025"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reilsolar.com\/ebook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}1. Certified Information Systems Analyst (CISA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
2. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
3. CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
4. CompTIA A+<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
5. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals or Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Fundamentals<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
7. Project Management Professional (PMP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
8. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
9. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
10. ITIL Certification<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Additional Knowledge Areas:<\/h3>\n
\n
Education<\/h3>\n