Do You Have What it Takes To Be A System Analyst

Do You Want To Be A Computer Or Business Analyst

Jul 16, 2008

A reader asks how to become a systems analyst, but must first choose between becoming a business or a computer analyst. Experience and specific training are key.

Note - all letters are reprinted as received (typos and grammatical) but names and other identifying details are deleted.

My name is JohnDoe and I have to say immediately what a great service you are providing by helping people out the way you are. So, what I wanted to ask you about was regarding a Career as a Systems Analyst. I have a University Degree in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience –I also have my MCSE. What makes things more interesting is I have vast experience in upper management. My question is: what do I need to do to become a Systems Analyst? Do I need specific training/ education? IV so, where would I begin to look?

A) First of all, thank you for the compliment. Now, what do you think system analysts do? Or, which type of systems analyst were you looking for? Remember, there are computer system analysts and business system analysts - and no, they are not the same, but hold similar characteristics.

Business Systems Analyst

Let's assume, with your vast experience in upper management, that you're thinking more along the lines of business systems analyst - which is a route recommended for you. It actually sounds as if you might already have the necessary experience. Business system analysts are looking at the business side of the systems - so what you need are excellent higher managerial abilities with an eye to the future of the company. You would not just be looking at the computer systems, but how it all inter-relates to the ongoing process of the business at hand.

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer system analysts, however, are concerned more with the computer system itself - and you'd need experience/training in whatever computer system that particular company is using. This does not mean you could not become a computer systems analyst - as most companies would feel that your managerial experience is more welcome than your computer knowledge. What the company would want is someone who understands the basic workings of their system to be able to fix, create, evolve as the company evolves.

Bottom Line

Think of it this way - a computer systems analyst would report to a business systems analyst. So, while they have similar characteristics, a computer systems analyst needs more specific training on the system used by the employer; whereas the business systems analyst needs more overall experience in seeing the whole picture from the perspective of the company's potential growth.

By the way - you are probably looking at a salary of over $75,000 as a business system analyst, and around $60,000 and up for a computer systems analyst.**

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