The Strong Interest Inventory® has been used for the better part of a century to help individuals find a career that is well-suited to their interests and preferences. It assesses individuals’ preferences and interests in a wide range of areas, and codes them into six categories. It can recommend vocational, educational, and leisure activities that are aligned with those preferences. The Investigative Theme Code, which includes Computer Systems Analysts, is centered on analyzing and processing information or data about the natural world. Individuals with a proclivity for Investigative pursuits have strengths in the natural sciences or mathematics, and usually prefer work environments that allow flexible and free thinking.
Computer Systems Analysts improve computer systems by analyzing professional data processing problems in multiple different sectors, including engineering and business. They install, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, as well as develop and revise system design procedures. Some Computer Systems Analysts have significant interpersonal contact, including providing training to staff and users, providing customer service to resolve malfunctions, and consulting with management to ensure systems principles are consistent and accurate. Those who work on larger teams may have leadership responsibilities, including supervising other systems analysts or computer programmers. In some cases, they may confer directly with clients to ensure that individual computer programs are meeting their needs.
Learn all about a career as a Computer Systems Analyst including career stats such as Median Salary, Daily Tasks, Required Education, Employment Growth and More!
In addition, Computer Systems Analysts are responsible for staying up-to-date in their field by reading periodicals and technical reports to learn to develop programs that meet clients’ needs. This knowledge will help them synthesize computer systems to accommodate a given organization, and to facilitate the sharing of information. Another way of accomplishing greater efficiency is by recommending new equipment or software packages that may be better suited to a particular company or organization. This productivity can be measured in cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses that will inform future decisions on systems implementation.
Computer Systems Analysts rely on a wide range of computing hardware, including desktop, mainframe, notebook, and hand-held computers. In addition, they use many different kinds of software, and need to quickly learn to use new software and teach others to use the same. The specific software used varies depending on the purpose of the organization. However, some examples may include: access software (e.g., Citrix), administration software (e.g., Element management software), analytical software (e.g., SAS, structure prediction software, MathWorks, MATLAB), Business intelligence and data analysis software (e.g., IBM Cognos Impromptu, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, etc.), data mining software (e.g., Google Analytics), security software (e.g., McAfee, Symantec, etc.) and many more. Furthermore, email, word processing, and spreadsheet software, like Microsoft Office Suite or Google’s equivalents are invaluable.
Most Computer Systems Analysts hold a college degree, either an Associate’s degree (41%) or a Bachelor’s degree (26%). However, 10% have also earned a post-baccalaureate certificate as well. This schooling gives them the detailed background in computers, electronics, mathematics, and engineering. Many Computer Systems Analysts, especially those who deal directly with customers or clients, need a strong proficiency in written and spoken English, as well as a personal investment in customer service. In addition, they must think critically about complex processes, and make decisions to resolve them quickly. While the job is not physically intense, Computer Systems Analysts do require acute near vision as well as finger dexterity, since they spend so much time in front of screens.
Computer Systems Analyst salary averages over $135,000 nationally, and is most lucrative in Washington, California, and up the eastern seaboard (including Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut). Even the lowest-paid Computer Systems Analysts salaries, for instance in South Dakota, are still over $50,000. The rate of employment of Computer Systems Analysts is also growing nationwide, projected to be as much as 20% before 2024. Growth is particularly fast in western states, including Utah (nearly 50%), Colorado and Arizona (both nearly 40%), and California (nearly 35%).
Below are some employment trends for Computer Systems Analysts:
- Median Salary: $43.71 hourly, $90,920 annually
- Employment: 633,900 employees
- Projected growth (2018-2028): Faster than average (7% to 10%)
- Projected job openings (2018-2028): 53,400
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Visit Our Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Career Resource Database for Information on MBTI® Personality Type Careers
To Learn More About the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, visit our About MBTI Test Page
Click on one of these to access more Investigative Theme Code Careers: Astronomers, Aerospace Engineers and Technicians, Bicycle Repairs, Biochemical Engineers, Chemical Technicians, Chemists, Construction Carpenters, Coroners, Critical Care Nurses, Dental Lab Technician, Dermatologists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Emergency Medical Technicians, Explosives Workers and Blasters Assistants, Fire Investigators, Forensic Science Technicians, Industrial Engineering Technicians, Intelligence Analysts, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, Mechanical Engineers, Operations Research Analysts, Optometrists, Political Scientists, Quality Control Analysts, Software Applications Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Sports Medicine Physicians, Structural Iron and Steel Workers, Systems Software Developers, and Urban and Regional Planners.
Gain access to your best-fit careers, occupational preferences and interests with these career based Strong Interest Inventory® Assessments:
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MBTI® Career Report + Strong & MBTI Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
Use these reports to find a fulfilling career that matches with your personality and interests, and develop a plan for achieving that career.
Set yourself up on the path to a career that fits with your MBTI® personality type as well as your interests and preferences. With these three reports, you’ll discover the ideal career for who you are at a base level, offering you a future of satisfying and fulfilling employment. Read about each report below.
Download sample MBTI® Career Report
Download sample Strong & MBTI® Combined Career Report Plus Strong Profile
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Profile Report
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Edition Profile
Choose a college major that works best with your interests, and then plan a rewarding career to follow your college career.
You’ll start college off right with knowledge on applying your interests and preferences to college majors and receive a detailed depiction of how your ideal career will mature if you work toward success. With the Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report and the Strong College Edition Profile, you’ll set yourself up for success throughout college and into your career after graduation.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Profile
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong Profile
Use knowledge about your interests, preferences and personality type to start your optimal career and formulate a plan to achieve your dream job.
With the information obtained about yourself from your MBTI® personality type and your Strong Interest Inventory® Report, you’ll learn about how your personality, as well as your interests and preferences, can be used in your life and career to provide fulfillment and happiness. Discover occupations that work with what you like and enjoy, and learn how your personality influences your mental processes and preferences.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report Plus Strong Profile
Download sample Strong Profile
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Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Edition Profile
Choose a college major that works best with your interests, and then plan a rewarding career to follow your college career.
You’ll start college off right with knowledge on applying your interests and preferences to college majors and receive a detailed depiction of how your ideal career will mature if you work toward success. With the Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report and the Strong College Edition Profile, you’ll set yourself up for success throughout college and into your career after graduation.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® & MBTI® Combined Career Report + Strong College Profile
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Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report
Delve deeper into what your interests, hobbies, favorite topics, and locations can mean for your career and personal life with the help of this extensive and personalized Strong profile.
Your Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report starts with the same foundational information found in the Strong Interest Inventory Profile, but goes even further into analyzing your likes and dislikes by offering you a detailed look at how following your interests and preferences can help you lead a more fulfilling, satisfied life. The report presents you with the closest matched occupations for people with your interests, an in-depth breakdown of certain areas matched to your Strong Interest Inventory test results, and insight into your likes and dislikes.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® Interpretive Report
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Strong Interest Inventory® Profile
Mold your future success by choosing a career that accurately reflects your interests, preferences, favorite topics as well as your likes and dislikes with the help of this profile.
Direct your future based on what you like and enjoy, providing you with a happier, more fulfilling life and career. The Strong Interest Inventory® Profile uses an extensive analysis of your interests and preferences to guide you towards a career that best suits who you are on a personal level. Depending on your likes and dislikes compared to others in specified fields, you may find a fulfilling career previously unthought-of, helping guide you down the road to success and happiness.
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Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
Discover your interests and preferences as well as your confidence in your abilities to use these interests to your advantage.
Your strengths, interests, and preferences, when understood and well known, can lead you toward a successful and satisfying career. With this custom package, you’ll learn which occupations, strengths, and skills work best with your likes and dislikes and how confident you are in your ability to fulfill the needs of certain occupations, allowing you to formulate a career path that you’ll enjoy for years to come with the help of the Strong Interest Inventory test.
Download sample Strong Interest Inventory® & Skills Confidence Profile + Strong Interpretive Report
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iStartStrong™ Report
Plan your future career based on your interests and preferences, leading you down the path to a successful work and personal life.
Use your interests, preferences, and favorite subjects and leisure activities to assess which career or career field works best with who you are and what you like. Through the web-interactive and thorough iStartStrong™ report, you’ll get set off on the right foot toward finding a career that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Explore our Strong Interest Inventory® Blog Pages:
- Strong Interest Inventory Realistic Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Artistic Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Investigative Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Social Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Enterprising Theme Explained
- Strong Interest Inventory Conventional Theme Explained
Assessment Categories
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org