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How often do you interact with customers as a Computer Systems Analyst?

I'm interested in getting a career in information technology.

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Scott’s Answer

Communicating/coordinating customers/stakeholders is one of the primary responsibilities of the systems analyst. So how often do these communications occur? The short answer is: as often as needed to correctly elicit and correctly analyze the requirements, confirming your results with the stakeholders.

But there are differences between a business analyst and a systems analyst. BAs are usually attached to a group called "Product" or something similar. BAs and Product folks in general communicate with the customers a great deal.

In contrast SAs are seen with larger projects, insuring that subsystems work properly together. They might also work with systems engineers in larger projects. Since SAs are at a higher level, insuring pieces fit together, any issues found at this level need to be worked out directly with the stakeholders. BAs many times do not have the technical skills required by the SA's job.
Thank you comment icon Thanks for the help. Landon
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Jay’s Answer

I don't think that there is a blanket answer for this. It depends on the type of system and who your "customers" are.

You will have some customer contact because that is a necessary part of the job.

Sometimes customers might have a lot of contact up front but then you might go off and work for a while before you ever get back to them. Some customers want constant give and take.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Landon,

Yes, getting a job in IT (Information Technology) right after college can be a good idea.

The demand for IT professionals is high and continues to grow, making it a promising field for recent graduates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing dependence on technology and data in various industries.

Starting your career early in the IT field allows you to gain practical experience, build a professional network, and stay updated with the latest technologies and trends. Moreover, many companies offer training programs and opportunities for career advancement, enabling you to further develop your skills and expertise.

However, there are some challenges that recent graduates might face when entering the IT job market:

Strong competition: With the growing demand for IT professionals, there is also an increase in the number of candidates applying for these positions. This competition might make it challenging for new graduates to secure their first job in the industry.

High expectations: Employers often expect new hires to have a solid understanding of the latest technologies and best practices. This expectation can be challenging for recent graduates who might not have had exposure to all the necessary tools and techniques during their academic years.

Adapting to the work environment: Transitioning from an academic setting to a professional environment can be difficult for some recent graduates. Balancing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and working in teams are essential skills that might take time to develop fully.

To overcome these challenges and increase your chances of success in getting an IT job right after college, consider the following tips:

Gain practical experience: Participate in internships, co-op programs, or volunteer work during your college years to build practical experience in the IT field. This experience will make you a more attractive candidate for potential employers and help you develop essential professional skills.
Stay updated: Continuously learn about new technologies, trends, and best practices in the IT industry by attending workshops, webinars, or online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX offer various IT-related courses that can help you stay current and enhance your skillset.

Build a strong network: Connect with professionals in the IT industry through networking events, conferences, or online platforms like LinkedIn.

Building relationships with industry professionals can lead to job opportunities or valuable insights into the job market.

Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements when applying for IT jobs. Make sure your resume and cover letter demonstrate how you can contribute to potential employers’ goals and objectives.

Prepare for interviews:
Familiarize yourself with common interview questions and practice answering them to improve your confidence and communication skills during interviews. Research the company and its products or services before the interview to show your genuine interest in working for them.

God Bless!
James Constantine.
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RAVI’s Answer

There is one key item in your questions that will define the answer to your question: "Customer".
As a system analyst you may or may not have direct contact with the end customer depending on the company you work for and how the company is organized. Your customer may be the sales people, the marketing team who request specific things in the product and/or the service to meet the end customer. You may even talk or meet the end customer at conferences, trade shows or conventions.

In other words: the number of times you need to interact with the customer depends on who the customer is. It is internal customers like sales, marketing or others interactions will be more often than the actual end customer which may or may not happen at all.

Systems Analyst job is an important part of any company to analyze the business needs, customer needs, user needs etc and translate them into creating a system, software product or a service that customers use. I consider that as the nucleus. You would need to partner closely with business teams on one hand and developers and testers on the other hand, read and research about the specific industry and business segment. You will learn a lot and you will have variety of information to play with.

Wish the very best for your future career, whatever it may be.
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