Computer Systems Analysts

Chase Chastain

St. Petersburg Colligate STEM High School

CGS1301 Intro to Information Systems

Nancy Munce

April 26, 2023

Introduction

This paper aims to educate the reader on the several different topics that being a computer
systems analyst encompasses. A computer systems analyst is an occupation that helps to correct
current computer systems and improve on them. It is a job that will only increase demand over
the years. This was the first option that I noticed, after finishing the personality quiz. After some
research, I found that it was the best job for me to write about. I am very into anything
electronics; computers, phones, TV, you name it. I even built my own PC that I use almost every
day. Having a good knowledge of computers can help me to better connect at a personal level
with my job, which will create a fun work environment. A very crucial part of the job includes
critiquing and fixing existing problems within the system. I happen to do this with almost any
recipe or piece of information. Especially when I am playing chess. I enjoy discovering ways to
undermine my opponent's move or finding ways to better my position. My personality also lines
up with the job, as it is mostly secluded and allows you to work without the distractions of
others. The job also entails managing and figuring out cost and maintenance, which is just math
skills that I happen to accel at.

Research Summary

I have found out that a computer systems analyst is someone who studies an
organization’s computer system and works to redesign and improve them; allowing the
organization to run more efficiently. Computer systems analysts are also called systems
architects. This profession requires you to have excellent organization, interpersonal, and
problem-solving skills, just to list a few. It is the analyst’s responsibility to coordinate with
managers and users within the corporation to identify problems in the system and to find the
requirements of what a new system might look like based on the system's users. Having more
experience will likely lead to a higher success rate in getting hired, as the more experience one
has, tends to also do the better job. The average annual salary is around $87,220 per year, with
the top analysts earning upwards of $137,690. The pay is good for the job and will only continue
to increase with experience and a portfolio of happy customers.

Career Summary

A computer systems analyst is someone who specializes in looking at an organization's

computer system and determines how to improve their efficiency, effectiveness, and
productivity. These professionals are very capable of understanding both business operations and
computer technology. This allows them to connect these two elements, by providing a system
that flows with the current business goals. Having expertise in technology and business
operations allows them to find areas to improve and update, and to bolster the organization's
success. Three tasks a computer systems analyst might perform would be:

1. Working with managers to fix and change the system, which would need for the person to be
able to communicate their ideas across to the manager and respect their wishes for the system too
 2. Analyzing current computer systems, an analyst might spend a lot of time looking into a
system trying to find areas where they can improve or better tune it to be more focused on the
businesses goals
3. Recommending new systems or upgrades, this requires direct contact with both the manager
and the system’s users to get their feedback on what would make it easier and more efficient for
them

A computer systems analyst typically doesn’t need more than a bachelor's degree in
computer and information technology, or other related fields. However, having a masters would
put you at a greater chance of both landing a job and working on more complex jobs. Taking
business courses is heavily suggested if not included with a list of classes, as the job requires you
to know the ins and outs of a business to provide your clients with an easier and more efficient
way to run their business. A big part of the business aspect of the job is understanding what type
of business environment you are working in and learning the industry that you are working with.
The job typically doesn’t have any post-secondary education, unless you find a job and continue
school until you get your master's, also there are no required certifications that are needed to
apply for a job as a computer systems analyst.

A computer systems analyst can expect to have a starting salary of around $60-65k and
reach up to the average pay of $87,622. However, if you stay with a company enough to become
a manager and are great at what you do, you could earn easy six figures upwards of $150,000
annually. Employment is expected to grow 9% through the next few years, with about 44,500
estimated current openings for computer systems analysts for the end of 2023. There will always
be room for growth, with every business having some sort of IT requirements. Although smaller
business models will most likely just try to work with a larger organization as it would be
cheaper and easier for them.

Almost any industry needs a computer system analyst, as everything is done through IT
systems and will continue to be this way in the future. The demand for this job will only
continue, as new organizations will need someone who has the expertise of a computer system
analyst for their IT system. The job flows with the economy, as the economy relies on these new
businesses and organizations which both require IT systems that are managed by computer
systems analysts. It is an extraordinarily safe job, with little to no physical requirements other
than good eyesight perhaps. There is very little risk in this job field, making it very safe.

Conclusion

Doing this activity allowed me to learn a lot of things about myself and help to explain
things that seem sudden in my life, also this activity allowed me to become comfortable with
researching jobs which will be very helpful in the future. I have learned so much about this job
that I didn’t even know existed before this assignment, everything from basics that the job
covers, to education and instances that are only done by this specific field. I will be relooking at
classes and seeing what classes and prerequisites I can try to complete as part of the colligate
program, I will do much more research in the future to see exactly what is needed of me to be the
best I can be in this profession.
 Words Cited
Computer Systems Analysts: Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics. (2019, April 12). Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-

technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm#tab-6

How To Become A Computer Systems Analyst. (2017, October 18). Western Governors

University. https://www.wgu.edu/blog/how-become-computer-systems-

analyst1712.html#close