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Computer Systems Analysts

Also called: Systems Analyst, Programmer Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Computer Systems Analyst

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Navy.

What they do:
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
On the job, you would:
  • Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
  • Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
  • Develop, document and revise system design procedures, test procedures, and quality standards.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service
  • management
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
People and Technology Systems
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Math
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide
  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Visual Understanding
  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Innovation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Program testing software
  • Compatibility testing software
  • Defect tracking software
Development environment software
  • C
  • IBM Rational Rose XDE Developer
Object or component oriented development software
  • C++
  • Distributed component object model DCOM software

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
associate's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$78,770
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about computer systems analysts.