[log in to unmask] wrote:
> I am a student at PCC. I have an assignment that asks to interview
> someone who is or plans to be a system analyst. I want to know:
>
> ~What are the requirements for entry into this field?
> ~What is more relevant in the search for employment as a system
> analyst, education or experience?
> ~What is a typical salary for a new analyst? An analyst with 5
> years of experience?
> ~What skills are needed to enter a job market now? in 5 years?
>
I am willing to reply... but you will get a completely different
perspective from me than most because of my background. I am currently
working as a systems analyst / contract programmer, so I think that I
would qualify.
Some background so you will understand what I mean when I say I have a
distinct background. I have 3+ years of college, but no degree. My
college major was in philosophy. I have worked as an IT Manager, a
consultant, a VP or R&D for a software firm, a multi-platform developer
for a software firm and many years as a consultant. I started as an
operator (3 months) - but within a year of my entry into the wonderful
world of IT I was working as an IT manager for a marketing firm. The
most successful systems analysts that I have seen traditionally do best
in one geographical location either moving up the ladder at the same
firm or moving up by changing firms in the same vacinity. I have worked
as a programmer, programmer / anaylst in 3 different states and 8
different cities during my career - in 7 different markets (from a
marketing firm to oil & gas to education to software development, etc.).
Before I start, I should say that I have never seen the field referred
to as "System Analyst". It has always been "Systems Analyst" because
once you are in the field, you will a-l-w-a-y-s be analyzing a multiple
number of applications systems - never just one at a time!
1. What are the requirements for entry into this field?
The best response here would be to say "experience". I have never met
anyone who has managed to enter the field without a multitude of
experience in either programming or as a user of application systems.
Personally, my track was through programming (22+ years now). However,
one of my best friends has been a systems analyst for approximately 8
years now - after spending 20+ years as a math teacher. Several of the
analysts that work for Managed Business Solutions are from engineering
backgrounds. The three things that are almost universal, however, are:
--> a college degree (or adequate work experience to overcome this);
--> an aptitude for computers and logic (yes, that philosophy course!);
--> excellent written and oral communications skills.
2. What is more relevant, education or experience?
Neither! You will not become a systems analyst without experience.
However, you will also not have many doors opened for you if you don't
have the education. I figure that I am part of a dying breed. I don't
have a degree (despite 3 years of college), but I have a number of other
skills going for me that compensate for the lack of formal education. I
have been actively involved in the education arena for many years -
including teaching at the college level (shows the importance of
education). I have published several articles. I have made numerous
presentations to my peers at regional users' groups. I have taken
numerous "non-credit" courses to continually update my skills. Despite
all of this, I wrangled an interview for three of my last four jobs
simply because of who I knew (in every case I knew someone already
working for the company).
3. What is a typical salary range?
Considering the fact that I already said you wouldn't land an entry
level systems analyst position... I don't think you can define
"typical" in any sense. Based on my own personal experience in both
being hired and doing the hiring, I have found that if you work for a
specific company, depending on your location, you will see salary ranges
in the $45-80K for new systems analysts - but they have earned this
salary level because of their experience in other fields. After 5 or
more years in the industry the range will vary only slightly - perhaps
$60-80K. However, if you are a consultant, the salaries become
meaningless. Consultants are typically paid hourly, from $25-80 per
hour, depending on experience and particular expertise. You have to
remember that many consultants must pay for all of their own benefits
from this income - from insurance to vacation to sick time. So the net
effect is basically the same.
4. What skills are needed to enter the job market now?
The first part is easy - an understanding of the basics of pc operation
and programming, an understanding of web principals, an understanding of
at least one open operating system (UNIX or Windows/NT) and an
understanding of at least on proprietary operating system. In addition,
it is extremely useful, and usually required, to have a thorough
understanding of at least one type of end-user application, such as
banking, or manufacturing (MRP, ERP, etc.). It is also helpful to
understand and be able to converse in the "buzzword" areas of the day -
currently those are client/server and web applications (e-commerce,
etc.).
Since the industry changes so dramatically every year, it would be
preposterous to assume that I (or anyone else) would know what would be
required 5 years from now. At this point no one even knows what kind of
systems we will be operating on...
Glenn J. Koster, Sr.
--
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| | ) | Glenn J. Koster, Sr. [log in to unmask]
| | ) | Managed Business Solutions http://www.mbsnav.com
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| |---- | Fort Collins, CO 80524 970 224-1016
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