What do
they do?
Systems analysts plan ways to use computers to solve scientific,
engineering, and business problems. They decide what information must
be
collected, the equipment needed, and the steps to be followed in
solving the
problems. Once a system has been developed, they prepare charts,
diagrams, and
reports to describe its operations and to help clients understand the
proposed
plan.
Work Activities
- Gather and analyze information about systems being used.
- Recommend ways to make improvements.
- Design and develop new systems including computers.
- Plan and prepare instructions, technical reports, charts, and
diagrams.
- Confer with people, attend meetings, and make presentations and
proposals.
- Write detailed logical and mathematical steps to be performed on
the
computer.
- May specialize in business, science, or engineering.
Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge of computers, programs languages, processes, and
computer
hardware.
- Skills in organization, logical thinking, problem solving, and
technical
writing.
- Knowledge of math and business
- Ability to listen and understand views of others and to explain
complex
ideas.
- Have ability to learn the basics of electronic data processing and
mathematical systems.
- Be able to think logically with a natural curiosity to solve
problems.
- Be able to communicate ideas verbally and in writing.
- Be able to make decisions based on collected data.
- Be able to listen to and work with people of differing skills and
backgrounds.
- Have ability to see space and form relationships and to work with
details.
Work settings
Environment: Work indoors in offices.
Hours: Work 40 hours a week with some longer hours required to
meet
deadlines.
Employers: Manufacturing companies, government agencies,
wholesale and
retail businesses, data processing firms, scientific laboratories,
educational
institutions, banks, and insurance companies.
Employment & wages
By 2000, it's estimated that 4,201 systems analysts will be employed
in
Nebraska. Growth and/or turnover create approximately 151 annual job
openings.
It's estimated that 956,000 systems analysts will be employed in the
U.S. by
2005.
Projected growth
Nebraska - Faster than average, 31%
National - Much faster than average, 110%
Nebraska annual beginning wage: $22,000 to $30,000
Nebraska annual experienced wage: $30,000 to $50,000
National annual average wage: $30,900 to $50,700
Licensing / certification & Training
Systems analysts gain professional recognition by passing an exam and
getting a
certificate from the Institute of Certification of Computer
Professionals.
- Almost all positions require a bachelors degree and some
employers
require an advanced degree.
- Appropriate degree areas are computer science, information
science, or data
processing.
- Background in math, accounting, business management, or
engineering along
with a knowledge of programming would be adequate for some
jobs.
- Training in several specialty occupations may be obtained through
apprenticeship training.
- Some systems analysts are trained on-the-job through work
experience.
- Training is a continuous process in this profession.
Helpful high school subjects
High school subjects that may help prepare individuals for this
occupation
include English, literature, composition, algebra I and II,
trigonometry,
calculus, foreign language, biology, chemistry, physics, sociology,
economics,
business education, accounting, and computer language, drafting, and
computer
applications.
Bibliography
Nebraska Career Information System: Occupations (1996-97 ed.),
pp.
74-76.
Complete Guide for Occupational Exploration (1993 ed.), pp.
430-432.
Dictionary of Occupational Titles (4th ed. Revised, 1991), p.
44.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (1996-97 ed.), p. 93, 222.
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