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New Post 7/17/2008 10:29 AM
User is offline Boukmn
1 posts
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Re: how to become a system analyst  

Hello All,

I just graduated with a Master of Science in IT.  This was a career change for me at 42.  I was a small mail order business owner for the last 8 years, a science teacher for 5 and a QC Tech for 3.  I do not come from a programming background and every Job I see on monster/career bulider wants at least 2 years experience.   I have been at this search for a month...no interviews.  This is really getting me down <:-(  

 I was told my lack of IT experience would not get in the way of being a good Systems analyst.  However, I can't help but think it is a barrier to being hired.  Am I wrong?  What do you experience people think?  I would especially like to hear from others who also tried to change careers to get into IT by getting a Masters degree.  Do you folks have any suggestions?

 
New Post 7/17/2008 1:49 PM
User is offline Chris Adams
323 posts
5th Level Poster






Re: how to become a system analyst  
Modified By Chris Adams  on 7/17/2008 3:50:44 PM)

 Boukmn wrote

Hello All,

I just graduated with a Master of Science in IT.  This was a career change for me at 42.  I was a small mail order business owner for the last 8 years, a science teacher for 5 and a QC Tech for 3.  I do not come from a programming background and every Job I see on monster/career bulider wants at least 2 years experience.   I have been at this search for a month...no interviews.  This is really getting me down <:-(  

 I was told my lack of IT experience would not get in the way of being a good Systems analyst.  However, I can't help but think it is a barrier to being hired.  Am I wrong?  What do you experience people think?  I would especially like to hear from others who also tried to change careers to get into IT by getting a Masters degree.  Do you folks have any suggestions?

Hi Boukmn,

You are definitely in a difficult situation.  Anytime you switch careers it can be difficult, but in this economy it may be especially hard.  You don't necessarily need IT experience to be a good Business Analyst.  To be a Systems Analyst which focuses a bit more on the technical side it's almost a must. 

If you are trying to get  a BA role, focus on the transferrable skills that you may have developed in your past jobs that will help you in your new job.  Also, if you have been working in the mail order business are you still receiving some income from this?  If so, you could consider finding an internship with a company to get some hands on experience in Business Analysis.  This could really help your job search.  I know most people probably think of 20 year olds when they think of interns, but there is no reason you can't take advantage of this.


Chris Adams
Core Member – ModernAnalyst.com
LinkedIn Profile
 
New Post 7/17/2008 3:42 PM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: how to become a system analyst  
Modified By Adrian M.  on 7/17/2008 9:25:42 PM)

Hi:

Do yourself a real big favor:  First thing:  Nail down what a Systems Analyst REALLY is.    There is a ton of confusion about this.   I suggest reading Tom DeMarco's classic book on structured systems analysis.  Hopefully, you will find that systems analysis, even  for a systems analysis working on IT projects, has little to do with design or programming.  (It has alot to do about determining essential (technology independent) functionality.)   I say hopefully, because there are alot of people in the industry who will tell you something like "BA's determine business requirements, and SA's design internal system functionality".    Don't let your thinking get scrambled.  I can really drain your energy level! 

Granted we live in a disfunctional world full of job descriptions like:  Wanted: Systems Analyst.  Must have 5 years experience with C++    We have to accept such..

I also suggest looking more at job functions and less so at job tiltes.   To become a be a "real" SA, you might need a job with a BA title.   Alot of  BA  job descriptions are just as disfunctional:  Wanted BA, must have 5 yrs experience in [insert whatever technology you can think of here].  However,  from what I have seen,  BA jobs are listings are often less technical and more focused on specifiying essential functionality than SA jobs.  Frankly, many SA jobs are held by programmers who just like the SA title for ego purposes. 

Finally,  I have found that strength in interviewing can overcome alot of technical deficiencies.    This is especially important when one is doing a career transistion.  I am 54 and am currently doing business process re-engineering, with first priority given to how to best engineer complex electronics-based systems.  What do I know about electronics?   A few months ago I could only - cautiously - plug in a toaster.   Before this assingnment, I lead efforts to solve large scale web middle-tier integration problems.  What did I know about the web going into that job?   I could only, with some trial and error, log into my Yahoo e-mail account.  I did not know a WSDL from a walnut.   But the others did not know what analysis (SA or BA) really is, and I know this is the typical senario.  I really focused on the essentials and this give me the strength to interview strongly .

(Note:  I was contacted about these contract jobs through DICE.com and Monster.com)

Tony

 
New Post 5/6/2009 8:55 AM
User is offline badhikari
1 posts
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Re: how to become a system analyst  

Hello everyone,

I am recent graduate with a masters in Systems Engineering. I did my BS in Electronics Engineering and worked mainly in the IT industry for about 3 years before going for my masters. During my masters and even now i.e. after completing my masters I am still working in the IT field and thanks to the recession, my current job profile is that of a web developer.

Now, I know it is going to take some time for me to get me my ideal job of Systems Analyst. But to make sure that I don't waste any time when the job market improves I need some tips on preparing and searching for that ideal job.

Even though I have about 4 years work experience now, I am as good as a fresher because I've been working on different technologies all the time. I don't know if this is a good thing, but i'd like to believe that from the perspective of a sytems engineer I have exposure to different technologies and hence should be an adavantage. If I am incorrect, please correct me.

Also, please let me know how to hunt jobs of System Analysts if you are a fresher and how to prepare for the inerviews? Plaese suggest some books/media to expand my knowledge (practical knowledge, rather than bookish) in systems engineering.

ALL HELP IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED !!

Thank you.

 

 
New Post 5/15/2009 7:17 PM
User is offline Craig Brown
560 posts
www.betterprojects.net
4th Level Poster




Re: how to become a system analyst  

Bhashkar,

I imagine as a web developer you get some opportunity to deal direct with customers.  Focus on those experiences to expand your interpersonal, consulting and problem solving skills.  They are the skills a good BA develops.

An understanding of technology is important and useful but secondary.

 
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