What Skills and Competencies Do You Need to Be an IT Analyst?

A system or an IT analyst designs, analyzes, and implements information systems that are used in solving business problems. Other than that, organizations use system analysis to gather information in the existing system in order to determine its shortcomings and upgrade the systems progressively with help of IT analysts. Since effective solving of business problems is the need of the hour, careers in IT or system analysis have good career prospects. However, there are certain skills and a degree in computer domains that are necessary in order to pursue a career in it.

Education Needed to Be an IT Analyst:

To be an IT analyst, you need a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma in either of the given field, viz., information technology, computer science, or computer engineering. A Bachelor's degree or a diploma can land you an entry-level job, but for a specific profile, the recruiter may prefer candidates with a Master's degree or with relevant work experience.

Skills Needed to Be an IT Analyst:

To have a successful career as an IT analyst, you need to possess certain skills that can help you to be productive and perform with a high degree of competence. These skills are mandatory, and you would often see them highlighted in the job description.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of Database Languages:

A system analyst uses analysis and design techniques to solve business problems. In solving business problems, he/she typically relies on various information systems. The responsibility of building such systems lies on the IT analyst. The analyst assesses the suitability of the system based on the desired outcomes that the system intends to serve. He is also responsible for testing system infrastructure, improving and upgrading the system in order to achieve the said goals. So the analyst must be proficient in languages such as PL/SQL, SQL plus, Shell programming.

• Knowledge of Programming Languages:

System analysts are not actually required to develop software systems that are used in building the architecture of the information systems, but they are expected to have a basic knowledge of programming languages such as C, C++, Java, assembly language, and other selective languages. This is because the analyst is responsible for testing, operation, and maintenance of the system. So in order to resolve specific issues, the analyst is required to communicate with the developers for implementing new solutions to tackle problems and troubleshooting.

Interpersonal Skills:

Team player: Building a project and sustaining it is not an easy task. In implementing any real-time project in system analysis, there is a whole team of front-end developers and a team working in the back-end to ensure its smooth functioning. The analyst is required to communicate with each and every stakeholder and provide support at different stages of the project. In doing so, it is necessary that the person is a good team player. If the person believes in doing things single-handedly and not in sharing vital information, he might end up not getting any support from the team, which could cause unnecessary conflicts and delays.

Workaholic:

Building the entire system architecture or implementation process of various projects is a tedious task. In order to deliver the project to the end-user, the analyst might have to make changes in the system and modify it in accordance with the user requirements. The analyst may also be required to work on projects even after their delivery, if the end-user needs the system to be upgraded, or if it has any issues that need to be resolved immediately. So the amount of effort that the analyst needs to put is enormous.

The job of an IT analyst was ranked third in 2010 according to a survey on "Best and Worst Jobs." Even reports suggest that the number of vacant positions for the job are increasing, thereby providing a lot of opportunities for people willing to pursue it as a career. So with the right amount of skills and dedication pursuing a career in it is possible along with long-term benefits.