Computer Systems Analysts

What the job really is

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1211
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
• Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
• Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
• Use the computer in the analysis and solution of business problems, such as development of integrated production and inventory control and cost analysis systems.
• Coordinate and link the computer systems within an organization to increase compatibility so that information can be shared.
• Use object-oriented programming languages, as well as client and server applications development processes and multimedia and Internet technology.
• Analyze information processing or computation needs and plan and design computer systems, using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering.
• Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
• Specify inputs accessed by the system and plan the distribution and use of the results.
• Expand or modify system to serve new purposes or improve work flow.
• Train staff and users to work with computer systems and programs.
• Assess the usefulness of pre-developed application packages and adapt them to a user environment.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Software Developers
• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• Database Administrators
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Database Architects
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• Information Security Analysts
• Information Security Engineers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Computer Systems Analysts — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.