Systems Analyst

Alternative titles: Systems Engineer, Technical/Systems/Applications Designer

Without Systems Analysts there wouldn’t be systems!

Wouldn’t it be a good idea if a car could drive itself or a train carriage could indicate how many seats were unoccupied before you boarded?  These great ideas and many more may be considered by Systems Analysts. 

They determine whether, how and at what cost they can be built.  If a system can be built in response to a real demand and it can be completed and implemented at a profit then its chances of being built improve.  Systems Analysts exhibit a number of skills and are multi-disciplined. 

In determining a solution’s potential they must gather and validate requirements with stakeholders, consider different design concepts, understand the constraints of existing technologies, demonstrate commercial aptitude and be in a position to converse freely with a wide selection of other technical staff. 

General skills and aptitude

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Comfort presenting to mixed audiences with tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint
• Interest in both hardware and Software
• Problem analysis and resolution
• Clear aptitude for both planning and problem solving
• An interest in business

Average starting salary: £24,000 for graduate roles